Spending Money - Borderline vs. Bipolar

I have two diagnoses - Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. Yet the professionals all seem to let the Bipolar overshadow the Borderline. Maybe because that's all they know how to treat.

Whenever I say I've been spending money again, they automatically think I'm going manic. What if I'm NOT manic? Right now, last week, I spent 2 weeks worth of my alloted money in 2 days. Does that mean I'm manic? I'm more depressed than I am manic. So then they go thinking I'm mixed.

But maybe I'm the only one remembering that spending money is also a criteria of Borderline Personality Disorder. Maybe it has absolutely nothing to do with a manic or mixed epsiode - maybe it's the Borderline.

How would we distinguish that? And does it matter? How would it be treated differently?

I don't know if it really matters which umbrella you put it under?

My opinion is to see it for what it is. It's a bi-product of your illnesses. It's something that has the ability to cause you great financial trouble and hold you back in your life.

Maybe it stems from both labels, but ultimately it comes from within you. Try looking at it from both perspectives. Get out a paper and pen and write down in what ways the spending could be a symptom of each one separately, then see which one rings true to you.

The ultimate goal though is to change the behavior of the spending. How would that differ depending on which disorder it stems from, I'm not sure, but again...I don't think it really matters.

What matters is being able to identify it as a negative symptom and investigating the trigger(s) that lead into the behavior and learning how to change your reaction to those triggers so you no longer feel the need to spend. It's a long road....but I believe in you!!

Well, Martina, I don't know if it matters which diagnosis you put on it.
I go thru periods of manic-type spending, though I've never been diagnosed with anything. I realize this much help to you, but just want you to know you're not alone.

Well it matters because if they think I'm manic they automatically turn to meds. Maybe meds aren't going to solve the problem here.

Maybe I'm not making any sense.

((Martina)) Im bipolar and used to shop like a mad woman. I would bring a two inch thick pile of receipts to the Dr. just to prove that something was wrong. When I started on medication, this uncontrollable urge to shop stopped. I hate taking medication too, and surely didnt appreciate the label BP but I hated being out of control even more. Im not saying you are bipolar as well, but just that the behavior is not normal and can be controlled by meds in my case.

Just because your Doctor thinks it's mania and wants to turn to meds doesn't mean you have to agree to that. You have a right to advocate for yourself and if you believe something is being overlooked or not being treated accordingly, you have a right to share your concerns with your practitioners and ask them to explain to you why they believe it is related to the bi-polar and why it wouldn't be connected to the Borderline issue.

My thinking is it is probably related to both in some way or another. But you have a right to make choices and decisions regarding your care and treatment and if you don't agree with taking more or new meds then don't do it until they can tell you why.

Always remember, they work for you and you are on the board of directors when it comes to your treatment plan. Never give up that power without getting all the information you need and deserve.

**trigger?**

Dear Martina,

Just a thought here...did you spend the money on things you needed & really had planned to buy at some stage? Or was it an urge to shop and spend indiscriminately? There is a difference in the type of spending, spending money on other people without restraint is another symptom.

In each case you have a set of rules so to speak on how they activity pans out; maybe some research on those will give you a better or clearer idea on what is actually happening, then you can take that to the doctor and get him to understand where you are coming from?

Rhi