Several articles have been written on the similarities between Bipolar and Borderline Disorders. A lot of the symptoms overlap, similar behaviors..etc.

I'm Bipolar (II) and Borderline. If being Bipolar is like riding a roller coaster then having Bipolar and BPD is like riding the same coaster... only on crack.
Often my mood swings are chaotic while my mind searches for peace. It's horrible.

Does anyone else have both?

Hey there! I'm diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder as well. Quite the double whammy, for sure! I can get psychotic symptoms from both of these disorders...manic episodes from the Bipolar Disorder, and micropsychotic episodes from the Borderline Personality Disorder.

The best we can do is educate ourselves on both of these disorders, take proper medications from our psychiatrists, see therapists if we want to, and other methods such as proper diet, exercise, and vitamins to stabilize our mood and feel the best we can.

Personally, I am just starting ECT and will see if this method works for me.

I wish you stability in mood and happiness!

Originally Posted by melissa.recovering

Hey there! I'm diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder as well. Quite the double whammy, for sure! I can get psychotic symptoms from both of these disorders...manic episodes from the Bipolar Disorder, and micropsychotic episodes from the Borderline Personality Disorder.

The best we can do is educate ourselves on both of these disorders, take proper medications from our psychiatrists, see therapists if we want to, and other methods such as proper diet, exercise, and vitamins to stabilize our mood and feel the best we can.

Personally, I am just starting ECT and will see if this method works for me.

I wish you stability in mood and happiness!

Thanks Melissa for your support. I am doing the medication, diet and exercise thing. I've already had two years of talk therapy. Guess I'm just tired about talking about my stupid father and all the mean girls who killed my little spirit. Let me know how you feel after the ECT.

Hugs

When hypomania kicks in the duel diagnosis of Bipolar and BPD gets interesting. I find myself feeling soooo HOT AND SEXY!

That's when I get into the most trouble. I dress like an idiot and flirt like a fool.


Maybe hospitalization isn’t needed - but a good ball and chain might be helpful.

[onlymedid]

Yeah, I've been diagnosed with both, too. It sucks because you can't always tell which symptom is because of which diag. I am trying to educate myself on both, but it's so confusing sometimes and I just want to scream!

Originally Posted by onlymedid

Yeah, I've been diagnosed with both, too. It sucks because you can't always tell which symptom is because of which diag. I am trying to educate myself on both, but it's so confusing sometimes and I just want to scream!

We should have a group scream!

[kashmir0]

Wow, that must be something to live with. Does the BPD intensify the bipolar? I'm studying in psychology and I'd really like to know more about double diagnoses.

Originally Posted by kashmir0

Wow, that must be something to live with. Does the BPD intensify the bipolar? I'm studying in psychology and I'd really like to know more about double diagnoses.

It's great that you're in school studying psychology. My BPD and Bipolar do feed off of one another. The symptoms "dance" together and then go for coffee.

Trying to define where one diagnosis starts and one begins is difficult. Plus, the "labels" are always being reexamined and adjusted.

[kashmir0]

yeah for sure. did it take long to get a real diagnosis?

Originally Posted by kashmir0

yeah for sure. did it take long to get a real diagnosis?

It took ME a long time to figure out my diagnosis. I've been to three psychiatrists and my "official" label is Major Depression. However, I know better.

I hold a Masters in Social Work and have sat on both sides of the therapists desk. Since I'm quiet and present well a lot of my symptoms are overlooked.

It seems I've always fallen through the cracks. I'm shy and don't speak up. So it's taken me a lot of research and self-reflection to "figure out" my lovely Axis I & II issues.

My hypomanic episodes are starting to verge on manic but I refuse to take a mood stabilizer due to the side effects. I'm managing on SSRI' s and anti-anxiety meds to help deal with my Axis I problems. The BPD is always there-even on my "good" days.

For the most part I'm really tired of being mentally ill and trying to figure out how to have a more stable life. But I refuse to give up. There is love and beauty in my world. Hopefully I can figure out how to appreciate it more and struggle less.

Today I'm having a Depressed BPD Day.

That means I might lay in bed and think about all the terrible things that have ever happened to me in a quiet rage.

Very productive...

[Moreta]

Originally Posted by Amy22

When hypomania kicks in the duel diagnosis of Bipolar and BPD gets interesting. I find myself feeling soooo HOT AND SEXY!

That's when I get into the most trouble. I dress like an idiot and flirt like a fool.


Maybe hospitalization isn’t needed - but a good ball and chain might be helpful.

and I thought I was the only one who does this. >.<

has gotten me into a lot of trouble in the past.

Originally Posted by Moreta

and I thought I was the only one who does this. >.<

has gotten me into a lot of trouble in the past.

This behavior has cost me jobs and almost my marriage. Plus, now I have a collection of high heels that are almost impossible to walk in.

No idea how I was able to navigate these things.

[Phoenix1985]

Originally Posted by Amy22

It took ME a long time to figure out my diagnosis....

Since I'm quiet and present well a lot of my symptoms are overlooked....

It seems I've always fallen through the cracks. I'm shy and don't speak up. So it's taken me a lot of research and self-reflection to "figure out" my lovely Axis I & II issues....

The BPD is always there-even on my "good" days....

For the most part I'm really tired of being mentally ill and trying to figure out how to have a more stable life....

This sounds so much like me. I have both diagnoses, but it seems like some psychiatrists/doctors/etc don't listen when I say both, they only listen to the Bipolar half.

Originally Posted by Phoenix1985

This sounds so much like me. I have both diagnoses, but it seems like some psychiatrists/doctors/etc don't listen when I say both, they only listen to the Bipolar half.

You're right. They don't listen. During my appointments my psychiatrist sits at his Mac typing away. He barely makes eye contact and asks limited questions.

It's almost like I'm annoying him while he works.

[Lets Talk]

Me too....having a double diagnoses like this gets your moneys worth from your psychiatrist. I am finding it really hard to balance my life and emotions...sometimes I don't even know who I am...Dr Jekel Mr Hyde.....argh

Originally Posted by Lets Talk

Me too....having a double diagnoses like this gets your moneys worth from your psychiatrist. I am finding it really hard to balance my life and emotions...sometimes I don't even know who I am...Dr Jekel Mr Hyde.....argh

I was thinking of that analogy today!

Several times in one day, I can go from being VERY depressed and withdrawn to cheerful and social.

Depending upon triggers (thoughts, other people and events) I can change demeanor instantly.

I'm on a roller coaster all day long...no wonder I always feel sick!

[Lets Talk]

Originally Posted by Amy22

Today I'm having a Depressed BPD Day.

That means I might lay in bed and think about all the terrible things that have ever happened to me in a quiet rage.

Very productive...

Amy,

I hope that you feel "up" soon. I have had 3 days this week where the BPD was raging through me so bad I thought I was going to explode.....needless to say I stabbed the heck out of my journal...sorta helped...but probably not a good thing to do again....right now I am on the down swing....so I'm tired and emotionally drained....

Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

Originally Posted by Lets Talk

Amy,

I hope that you feel "up" soon. I have had 3 days this week where the BPD was raging through me so bad I thought I was going to explode.....needless to say I stabbed the heck out of my journal...sorta helped...but probably not a good thing to do again....right now I am on the down swing....so I'm tired and emotionally drained....

Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers

Wow...poor journal - but I get it.

When I'm raging I write such bizarre things in my journal. When I read and reflect back I can't help thinking, "What kinda life is this?" Maybe by stabbing the journal you got to kill the bad stuff?

I am better. Thanks for asking. More than anything I'm ashamed of myself. Living with this emotional pain has made employment very difficult. I've always thought that in the end I would become a big success. That my education and skills would come together and I'd find that perfect occupation and flourish. That never happened.

Now I'm resigning myself to the fact that I'll probably get a job which doesn't offer much creativity or intellectual stimulation. I need to make money and I don't have the luxury to explore anymore.

It is what it is.

[bandit99301]

I understand about the emotional pain. It is a roller coaster ride. I can't seem to separate bipolar from BPD. I either hit bottom with despair or I have a highly energize anger. I never know where I be in hour. It cause a lot of thought about ending my life and wishing I wasn't here anymore. It doesn't matter which end I'm at I either in despair or angry. And that is no way to live. So I wish to hurt myself or end things as I know it. Is there any help because most doctors don't want spend the time with me to get these things straighten out. I feel lost.

Originally Posted by bandit99301

I understand about the emotional pain. It is a roller coaster ride. I can't seem to separate bipolar from BPD. I either hit bottom with despair or I have a highly energize anger. I never know where I be in hour. It cause a lot of thought about ending my life and wishing I wasn't here anymore. It doesn't matter which end I'm at I either in despair or angry. And that is no way to live. So I wish to hurt myself or end things as I know it. Is there any help because most doctors don't want spend the time with me to get these things straighten out. I feel lost.

I'm so sorry you feel lost right now. I can hear your pain in your post.

Doctor's are abrupt with me as well and I've heard others say the same. Please do not hurt yourself! It NOT your fault you have BPD & Bipolar- you don't need more harm you need help. Call your doctor and tell him how your feeling.

Sending warm hugs your way

[reina77]

Originally Posted by Amy22

We should have a group scream!

seem u delt with it for awhile. i have the samething and am having truble to notice the different. in the las 2 days in had a bipolar phycosis.is that normal

Originally Posted by reina77

seem u delt with it for awhile. i have the samething and am having truble to notice the different. in the las 2 days in had a bipolar phycosis.is that normal

The best thing to do is to speak to a qualified psychiatrist to help you. Some are quite good.

Hope that you feel better. Sending good wishes your way.