[redbandit]

Does anyone know if its possible to have BPD & bipolar disorder at the same time? I have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. I havent responded well with treatments, numerous meds, therapy, etc. I took a quiz on here and it said I likely have BPD. Now I'm confused, idk if I have both, or what.

[Luctor]

The two are often diagnosed together. I have been diagnosed as bipolar and BPD.

The distinction between the two is that if bipolar, you've experienced "ups" that are more than just regular good mood - hypomania.

The thing is, I think BPDs are often depressed due to the constant emotional struggle. And when we do feel good, it's such a brief, intense experience that it's mistaken for hypomania. Then the bipolar diagnosis is made. This is just my opinion.

Another distinction is that bipolar is a MOOD disorder that can be treated with medication alone (to an extent). Whereas BPD is an emotional disorder that requires learning coping skills to handle the intense emotional highs and lows, specifically Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).

You say therapy hasn't worked, what therapy have you tried? What meds have you tried? Are you still depressed or do you struggle with emotional dysregulation?

Yes, you can be diagnosed with both.

[redbandit]

Originally Posted by Luctor

The two are often diagnosed together. I have been diagnosed as bipolar and BPD.

The distinction between the two is that if bipolar, you've experienced "ups" that are more than just regular good mood - hypomania.

The thing is, I think BPDs are often depressed due to the constant emotional struggle. And when we do feel good, it's such a brief, intense experience that it's mistaken for hypomania. Then the bipolar diagnosis is made. This is just my opinion.

Another distinction is that bipolar is a MOOD disorder that can be treated with medication alone (to an extent). Whereas BPD is an emotional disorder that requires learning coping skills to handle the intense emotional highs and lows, specifically Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).

You say therapy hasn't worked, what therapy have you tried? What meds have you tried? Are you still depressed or do you struggle with emotional dysregulation?

Mainly talk therapy and CBT. I've been on Zoloft, Effexor,topomax, depakote, lexapro, seroquel, adderal, straterra, xanax, and clonipin. I am currently taking Celexa, Lamictal, Lorazaapam and Flurozapam.

I am diagnosed with both, but I think the BPD diagnosis might be wrong. I do have traits though.

[Luctor]

Originally Posted by redbandit

Mainly talk therapy and CBT. I've been on Zoloft, Effexor,topomax, depakote, lexapro, seroquel, adderal, straterra, xanax, and clonipin. I am currently taking Celexa, Lamictal, Lorazaapam and Flurozapam.

What is it that you still struggle with? Are you still depressed, or do you exhibit some of the 9 DBP diagnostic criteria?

Originally Posted by Luctor

The two are often diagnosed together. I have been diagnosed as bipolar and BPD.

The distinction between the two is that if bipolar, you've experienced "ups" that are more than just regular good mood - hypomania.

The thing is, I think BPDs are often depressed due to the constant emotional struggle. And when we do feel good, it's such a brief, intense experience that it's mistaken for hypomania. Then the bipolar diagnosis is made. This is just my opinion.

While you have a point, that mania is a distinction that manifests itself diffrently than the mood swings and ups of just BPD alone, I have to point out that you do have your terms mixed up. "hypomania" is actually the lesser form of mania where the symptoms of being "high" or in a good mood are less severe than those of what we would call mania.

Hypomania is a less severe form of mania. Hypomania is a mood that many don't perceive as a problem. It actually may feel pretty good. You have a greater sense of well-being and productivity. However, for someone with bipolar disorder, hypomania can evolve into mania -- or can switch into serious depression.

via WebMD

More at Psych Central

Another distinction is that bipolar is a MOOD disorder that can be treated with medication alone (to an extent). Whereas BPD is an emotional disorder that requires learning coping skills to handle the intense emotional highs and lows, specifically Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT).

True, although many of the symptoms of BPD can be treated to an extent with medications similar to those of BP.

It's also good to note that in many cases, BPD is often misdiagnosed as BP and vice versa. the manifestations of mood swings often make it difficult to distinguish between the two without a lot of analysis.

I was DX'd with both but I'm not even sure that my PDoc was sure of this. She was sure of the BPD Dx but said "probably BP too". You never know.. doesn't matter though.

Originally Posted by redbandit

Mainly talk therapy and CBT. I've been on Zoloft, Effexor,topomax, depakote, lexapro, seroquel, adderal, straterra, xanax, and clonipin. I am currently taking Celexa, Lamictal, Lorazaapam and Flurozapam.

Sounds like what I've been through with meds. Of course now I'm med free and happy to be but I've been on many of what you just mentioned with depakote being the one I'd been on the longest.

[Luctor]

Originally Posted by s4ndm4n2006

While you have a point, that mania is a distinction that manifests itself diffrently than the mood swings and ups of just BPD alone, I have to point out that you do have your terms mixed up. "hypomania" is actually the lesser form of mania where the symptoms of being "high" or in a good mood are less severe than those of what we would call mania.

Yeah I know that. The reason most BPDs are diagnosed as BP is because their "ups" seem hypomanic, not entirely manic. That's why the distinction is so blurry. Those who suffer full blown mania are very obviously BP. My assumption was that the OP was diagnosed as BP type II. If she was diagnosed as BP type 1 there would probably be a little less doubt.

[BeautyInChaos23]

I too think I might have BPD. I am about to begin therapy, and while I have always thought I had depression, I think BPD make be more accurate. Although I have a depressed mood, I also seem to have an unstable view of others, as well as myself. I think this is why I feel depressed as often as I do. Additionally, I'm not depressed to the point I can't get out of bed or function, but instead its an ongoing empty feeling. These traits lead me to believe that BPD might be a more accurate diagnosis. I would love to receive DBT, but I doubt I'll be able to find a therapist in my network who provides it. Are there any medications that people can recommend for BPD? The only medications I've ever tried were paxil and wellbutrin, and I didn't try them for that long.

Another big difference between the two is BPD's moods can fluxuate much faster than BP and they are always caused by somthing. We are hyper-sensitive to facial expressions, tone of voice and such and they cause our moods to change. We, under the right conditions, can go through several extreme mood swings in a matter of minutes. BPs don't generally do that.

As for meds, a lot of BPDs use meds to help regulate or take the edge off of the traits, but the meds don't get to the cause at all, while, in the case of BP, it is often a chemical imbalance and with the right combination of meds, which sometimes takes a while to figure out, meds can make all the difference.