My mother is diagnosed as Bipolar...

Is this a hereditary thing? I am just looking for help with whatever I am...I have been told I am Bipolar. I have also been told I am Borderline. I just wish I knew so that I could seek out help. I feel lost.

Hi silverlining23,

Having a family member with a mental health issue does not mean that you're going to have it too. It does however mean that you're at a higher risk of developing something, not necessarily the same problem. Example your mother is Bipolar, but you could be schizoaffective, OCD, BPD or any number of other things. I think the average chance of someone with no family history of mental health issues is 5% versus a 10% with one family member with mental health issues and 15% chance with two. Genetics do play a part along with many other things including the environment you were raised in to just your own individual experiences with life. Example my father was diagnosed as being Schizoaffective Bipolar type while my diagnoses has varied between Bipolar 2 and Cyclothymia. I hope I answered you question to some extent.

Cyclowolf

Who's told you that you have bipolar and/or Borderline? If they aren't a psychiatrist then it's just a guess on their part

If you think that there's something warranting a straight answer... go and visit a psychiatrist to get diagnosed. They'll help you figure out what's going on, and they'll hopefully be able to help direct you to a therapist if you want someone to talk to.

You'll find a lot of support on this site, even if you don't have a diagnosis and aren't sure what's going on.

Yes you did, thank you! I have just heard varying things from so many different people. I really need to make an appointment with a psychiatrist. I think I have known for awhile that something is "off" with me...but I don't know what it is. And I am tired of being called crazy.

No, he isn't a psychiatrist so it definitely is just a guess! I think he often uses it against me and tries to make me seem like I am out of my mind. I know I have issues with certain things but I am not crazy. As soon as my health insurance starts with my new job I am going to go see a psychiatrist.
Thank you for your help!

Even if you do have bipolar AND Borderline, you still aren't crazy Although I am really sorry to hear that you have someone in your life that's trying to make you feel like you're crazy - that's wrong of him.

Have you looked over the symptoms of each disorder yourself? If so - do you think either of them fit you? The psychiatrist will help figure it out, but it might help you feel better if you go in prepared.

Having a mental health problem is no different from say being a diabetic or having MS, your body just doesn't work quite right. Your definitely not crazy your just ill with something that's treatable. So don't listen to him saying your out of your mind, so go see a psychiatrist and let him or her give you a bump in the right direction, but remember it may take a little time to get the right diagnosis some psychiatrists want to see you a couple of times before they commit to a diagnosis. Something that would be helpful is to start keeping a mood journal that way you and your doc can see how you feel and how your moods shift. They have one here at PC or download an app online like I did, the best one I found is called emoods, it's small, no ads and it let's you print out and email the chart for your doctor. Sorry if I went on too long, best wishes on getting a diagnosis.

Cyclowolf

Yes, BP can have a genetic component. You can have a genetic predisposition to it, then it can be triggered by a bad upbringing or trauma as an adult. My mum and I both have BP and BPD. It is very common to have both BP and BPD (I don't know the stats). BP is a psychiatric condition, while BPD is a psychological one. So while some of the behaviours/symptoms may seem the same, the origin and cause are different. So you can have both or just one without the other. BP needs meds, a pdoc, therapy and a strong support network for treatment. BPD just needs a psychologist, therapy and something like DBT to treat it. Having BP means that you have a chemical imbalance in your mind that needs addressing. Having BPD means that you are a very emotionally sensitive person who needs some help with regulating your emotions, stopping bad behaviours and how to effectively communicate with others in interpersonal settings.
Does this help at all? I hope so. Good luck, take care, and keep us informed on your progress and any developments.

BP and BPD are really similar. Whatever it is you'll need therapy and DBT it used for like everything now Haha I've taken DBT and I'm not legally allowed to be DXed with a personality disorder. DBT is really great though

Also I do believe you have a 25% chance.

Best,
Lilly

My son has mood disorder NOS because he's on medication he's unlikely to get the BP Dx unless he has a break-through episode. However genetically we're mess. Both sides of our family have serious mental illnesses, including all of his aunts, a uncle, both sets of grand parents, and great-grandparents on my side, plus my aunt. Addiction runs in my family also. So he had almost no chance to escape.

Sorry to get off-topic, but what do you mean by this?:

I'm not legally allowed to be DXed with a personality disorder.

I'm gonna guess: Lilly, are you still under 18?

Red panda's right I'm under 18