If so, how did you get diagnosed? (I've seen a large overlap in BP and BPD symptoms in particular.)

Me: So, I've technically had 3 full evals done on me: one at university and two in private practices. First one was done at school and they said "no" to bipolar disorder. Second and third were to confirm bipolar disorder and ADHD.

In all 3 of the evals, we didn't go over any tests that specifically went through every personality disorder. However, in my 2nd and 3rd evals, I did get high marks in the antisocial personality section (97th percentile) on a self report. I do suspect BPD, though... because when I'm stable, my emotions seem to get the best of me.

I'm also curious about how you got your Dx's so I can get mine official. I think it's hard to Dx a personality disorder when you have BP and you're not always stable. 😒

What about you?

[Icare dixit]

A borderline personality.

My therapist knows a lot about people like us. The schizo part of me helps me to, and it's a sign of, my suppression of very extreme expression of my feelings, but it's still enough to create a mess and I still express it, but differently (I don't create enough mess; suppression is worse). She diagnosed me. It's still rather obvious, especially without mania and (severe; non-BPD) depression.

Why do you think you might have a borderline personality (being afraid of the reactions of parents may be part of the why of BPD, by the way, but what do you experience and do now that may be BPD-like?)?

It's quite easy to figure out whether you someone has it when you have it (relatively speaking; many psychologists don't really understand).

Find a good therapist. Many can make things worse.

[franz kafka]

Nah, just bipolar. I've had the occasional doc suggest BPD, but my main doctors are adamant that I don't have it (I agree).

[Unrigged64072835]

I was diagnosed with borderline before I was diagnosed with bipolar.

I was once dx'd with BPD in the hospital but a couple pdocs I actually trust say I don't have it, and I agree with them.

[fishin fool]

I always felt that I had BPD but with already having bipolar I think the
lines become quite blurred.

[pirilin]

GCD. 75% bipolar and 50% schizo have it, why not me.

[Trippin2.0]

BPD OCPD... I pointed out the BPD to my pdoc at the time, took a while (and a chat with my T) before he caught on and added it to my file.

The OCPD is mostly under control, mainly struggle with it when my BP or BPD is raging.

[AlittleUnsteady]

Yes. I also have BPD. I have suspected Bipolar Disorder and BPD for 10 years, but no one would listen. When I was 18, the psychiatrist told me they didn't want to diagnose me with BP because of my age. He just called it tendencies. He did the same with BPD, he said I had tendencies. They had me on the wrong meds for a long time. It wasn't until 2 years ago that they finally diagnosed me with BP and BPD. I had to keep telling them about my suspicions.

[mossanimal]

I've wondered about borderline personality disorder. My doctors don't think so because of my age (45). But my tendency to shut down after minor arguments and analyze behaviors too closely has made me wonder. I'm on lamictal which supposedly combats the borderline issues as well as bipolar... so.. at this point.. I'm trying not to worry about that.

By the way... another reason they don't think I have borderline is because my childhood was so good. Great parents....great memories. Sure I was depressed through most of high school.. but can't blame them for that.

Just BP.
No BPD. I don't remember exactly how it came up, but the thought of it in relation to me elicited laughter from my psych. Um, no. Definitely not. (I had been having trouble interacting with someone who did and was trying to wrap my head around it.)

[mossanimal]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Just BP.
No BPD. I don't remember exactly how it came up, but the thought of it in relation to me elicited laughter from my psych. Um, no. Definitely not. (I had been having trouble interacting with someone who did and was trying to wrap my head around it.)

yeah... I got that reaction as well. From both my psychologist and pyschiatrist. I'm only familiar with BPD via reading checklists of behaviors online. :-) I seemed to check off a number of them.. but those things are often on BP checklists too. These doctors must get annoyed with the folks that self-diagnose based on the internet.

[bfralex]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

If so, how did you get diagnosed? (I've seen a large overlap in BP and BPD symptoms in particular.)

Me: So, I've technically had 3 full evals done on me: one at university and two in private practices. First one was done at school and they said "no" to bipolar disorder. Second and third were to confirm bipolar disorder and ADHD.

In all 3 of the evals, we didn't go over any tests that specifically went through every personality disorder. However, in my 2nd and 3rd evals, I did get high marks in the antisocial personality section (97th percentile) on a self report. I do suspect BPD, though... because when I'm stable, my emotions seem to get the best of me.

I'm also curious about how you got your Dx's so I can get mine official. I think it's hard to Dx a personality disorder when you have BP and you're not always stable. 😒

What about you?

So, I asked my psychiatrist this same question actually and she said that for true personality disorders, technically, that person will not realize that they have a personality disorder and if told that they do, usually won't accept that as a diagnosis. Because I thought I was borderline, she said the terminology she would categorize it as "borderline features" or "Axis II personality disorder unspecified". Somewhat of a play on semantics, in my opinion.

[zijax]

I was dxed with BPD years ago but did not pay much attention to it. After looking into it it's scary how much I 'have' it. I seem much more BPD than Bipolar and far more ashamed to even admit to it. I don't know why. I've never even told my parents or children. My boyfriend knows but he has it too. I'm always the 'leaver' in relationships. I can turn on a dime. It is as if the feelings are there one day and gone the next. Feelings are overwhelming, very intense, hence my love for the velvet pool of alcohol.

[Wild Coyote]

No.

I have wondered and have asked various psychiatrists over the years. They firmly say no personality disorder. I cannot get anyone to waver on this.


WC

[st0psign]

I have BPD along with the bipolar. because of the bipolar, I have identity issues. its like I don't know who I really am. its like being 2 different people. and trying to find a sense of self for me is very difficult.

[Nammu]

When I'm in a mixed mood I exhibit signs or traits of BPD but no I don't have it. I was once diagnosed with it while in a hospital but my pdoc and T laughed it off and said no one can diagnose a personality disorder in three days without doing background and in depth tests, that it was more a sign of a bad hurried pdoc.

[Moose72]

Originally Posted by Nammu

When I'm in a mixed mood I exhibit signs or traits of BPD but no I don't have it. I was once diagnosed with it while in a hospital but my pdoc and T laughed it off and said no one can diagnose a personality disorder in three days without doing background and in depth tests, that it was more a sign of a bad hurried pdoc.

Same here. They tried diagnosing me twice inpatient with borderline but both times my Pdoc said no I was definitely bipolar. Actually, one of those times I told the diagnosing doc's that I was 100℅ bipolar and no borderline but that may have been a borderline thing to say. Lol

[JustJace2u]

As you and I have already discussed, I sometimes ask myself if maybe I do have something like BPD, but nothing has ever been said or documented about it that I'm aware of.

[zijax]

Interesting...my t just said she did not think I have BPD. She thinks I have repeating problems in relationships with men due to my Narcissistic father. She also said she doesn't think I have Bipolar. She sees Depression only.

No. Bipolar complicated by PTSD. Honestly, the PTSD caused me more problems than the bipolar; once I had my PTSD more under control, the bipolar followed suit.

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by lolagrace

No. Bipolar complicated by PTSD. Honestly, the PTSD caused me more problems than the bipolar; once I had my PTSD more under control, the bipolar followed suit.

That was the same deal for me. It was hell to get the PSTD in remission but well worth the work. BP is so much easier to deal with now.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I was 17 when they first said I had BPD traits. Back then I was being treated for depression and self-harm. Then at 22 I was first dxd with bipolar.

Fast forward and Ive had several different diagnoses. They currently by my pdoc are bipolar 1 with psychotic features, panic disorder and PTSD. At my old pdoc office where my t is at- my diagnoses are bipolar, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder and bpd. Since doing DBT for the last two years and getting my bipolar stable-my T says she sees no sign of
Bpd is me anymore and we might remove it sometime soon.

Originally Posted by mossanimal

yeah... I got that reaction as well. From both my psychologist and pyschiatrist. I'm only familiar with BPD via reading checklists of behaviors online. :-) I seemed to check off a number of them.. but those things are often on BP checklists too. These doctors must get annoyed with the folks that self-diagnose based on the internet.

Yeah, I kind of wish I could remember how it went. I know it wasn't a self-dx thing, lol. I'm like a poster child for relationship stability. I don't panic if someone doesn't get right back to me. (Heh, there was even a situation where I hadn't heard back for about 2 years before saying, "yeah, they're probably blowing me off"(!) ) I'm loathe to leave more than one message and am almost comically apologetic if circumstances demand it. People I love can rest easy-- there's no running hot and cold (I run FAST and SLOW). If I love them, I love them. Period. No love/hate thing.

I do have a temper though. That's how "dealing with frustration" was modelled growing up. Many an uncooperative item has taken express air flight.

I've really only even learned much about BPD in the last decade or so (I was in my 30's before I'd ever even heard of cutting and it still baffles me.) Most learning's been on account of dealing with BPD behaviors from the receiving end -- I couldn't figure out what was going on because it was foreign to me. Consequently, I don't think it's as similar as it's sometimes made out to be.

Recently saw some psych summary paperwork. 4 professionals agreed, no personality disorders. Well, phew, because there's more than enough to deal with as it is(!)

[JustJace2u]

So, I just got back from an appointment with my t. I told her that this topic had come up in a discussion and was curious what she had to say about it. She says that there are many common traits between BP and BPD so it can sometimes be hard to tell a difference, but she says that in my case she doesn't think there is any personality disorder.