Borderline vs Bipolar: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has sparked debate since it was first included in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” in 1980. An ongoing debate remains about whether BPD is connected to bipolar disorder due to their overlapping symptoms.
Both disorders share traits such as fluctuating moods and impulsive actions, but significant differences exist. Bipolar disorder features significant mood swings and changes in energy levels, while BPD is characterized by difficulties in emotional regulation.
To learn more about how bipolar disorder differs from BPD, consider discussing your mental health symptoms with a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Symptoms
Individuals with both bipolar disorder and BPD commonly experience mood fluctuations and impulsive behaviors.
Bipolar disorder is marked by transitions between depression and mania or hypomania. Mania involves heightened mood, less need for sleep, and increased levels of activity. Hypomania is akin to mania but is less severe in nature.
BPD also involves mood fluctuations, often referred to as emotional dysregulation or affective instability. Those with BPD can transition rapidly from feeling well to being deeply distressed within moments.
Bipolar Disorder
- Significant mood fluctuations
- Mood episodes lasting seven days or more
- Feelings of restlessness
- Quickly racing thoughts
- Elevated energy and activity levels
- Less need for sleep
- Exaggerated self-esteem
- Engaging in reckless or risky activities
- Impulsive actions
- Possible psychosis during severe manic phases
BPD
- Quick shifts in mood
- Mood episodes that last hours or days
- Difficulty in managing emotions
- Anxiety about being abandoned
- Inconsistent self-image
- Intense but unstable relationships
- Issues with anger
- Feelings of worthlessness
- Paranoid thoughts
- Impulsivity
- Engaging in self-harm or having suicidal thoughts
Causes
Studies indicate that while bipolar disorder and BPD can occur simultaneously, they seem to be distinct diagnoses with varied underlying causes. Although the exact causes of each disorder are not entirely understood, it is thought that multiple factors may influence an individual’s likelihood of developing either condition.
Bipolar Disorder
- Genetics: Bipolar disorder is thought to have a strong hereditary component, making it one of the most inheritable mental health issues.
- Trauma and stress: Experiences of trauma in childhood and other stressful circumstances may also be associated with the development of bipolar disorder.
- Brain differences: Some research indicates that variations in brain structure and chemistry might play a role in bipolar disorder, although further investigations are needed to clarify this relationship.
Borderline Personality Disorder
- Abuse and trauma: BPD has a strong connection to childhood trauma and abuse. Elements like weak maternal bonds, parents struggling with substance abuse, as well as physical, emotional, and sexual violence are linked to BPD.
- Brain differences: Individuals with BPD might show variations in brain areas responsible for managing emotions.
- Genetics: Studies indicate that genetics may play a role in this condition. BPD often occurs in families, which suggests that having a close relative with the disorder can elevate the likelihood of developing it.
Are Bipolar Disorder and BPD Related?
While the connection is not fully defined, current research has not established a significant link between BPD and bipolar disorder. Some findings indicate that individuals with BPD are diagnosed with bipolar disorder more frequently than those with other personality disorders.
Diagnosis
When diagnosing, medical professionals consider various factors to differentiate bipolar disorder from BPD. Several key elements set the two apart.
- Quality: Both disorders are marked by mood fluctuations, but the nature of these shifts differs greatly. Those with bipolar disorder typically go through phases of mania and depression, whereas individuals with BPD endure severe emotional distress and feelings of emptiness, despair, anger, hopelessness, and isolation.
- Time: In BPD, mood fluctuations are often shorter, possibly residing for only a few hours. Conversely, mood changes in bipolar disorder often persist for days or weeks.
- Cause: Mood swings in BPD usually respond to external stressors, such as conflicts with loved ones, while mood swings in bipolar disorder can happen unexpectedly.
- Degree: The mood changes characteristic of BPD seldom include extreme happiness. Typically, the transition is from feeling upset to feeling somewhat okay, rather than from feeling bad to experiencing a euphoric state, which is more common in bipolar disorder.
Treatment
Given that bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are separate conditions, it’s crucial to approach each one individually for optimal symptom relief.
Bipolar Disorder
Medications are the main method of treatment for bipolar disorder, although therapy can also provide benefit. Mood stabilizers can help regulate moods and reduce the chances of severe highs and lows.
Lithium was the earliest medication used to treat bipolar disorder and remains a primary option today.
Commonly prescribed medications for bipolar disorder include antipsychotics and anticonvulsants, such as:
- Abilify (aripiprazole)
- Depakote (divalproex sodium)
- Haldol (haloperidol)
- Lamictal (lamotrigine)
- Topamax (topiramate)
Borderline Personality Disorder
BPD was once thought to be difficult to treat, but newer research suggests that therapies can be quite effective. It is primarily addressed through psychotherapy, though medications may also be used to alleviate specific symptoms.
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a therapeutic approach designed primarily for individuals with borderline personality disorder. This method is a variation of cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, which helps individuals develop skills for managing stress, regulating emotions, and improving their relationships.
Other forms of therapy that can be beneficial include cognitive behavioral therapy, mentalization-based therapy, and group counseling. Various medications may be prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of BPD, such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, antipsychotic medications, and mood stabilizers.
Prevention
Sadly, neither bipolar disorder nor borderline personality disorder can be prevented. The precise origins of each disorder remain unclear, though both are thought to have some hereditary influences. Nevertheless, specific actions can be taken to mitigate serious consequences associated with these conditions.
Bipolar Disorder
Preventing bipolar disorder is not feasible. However, identifying the disorder early and seeking treatment can enhance outcomes. Stay alert for warning signs and educate yourself about the disorder to recognize early symptoms. If you have a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, you can reduce the likelihood and intensity of mood swings by:
- Following your treatment regimen
- Steering clear of substances like drugs and alcohol
- Avoiding known stressors
- Maintaining a nutritious diet
- Finding effective stress management techniques
- Getting adequate rest
- Keeping to a regular routine
Borderline Personality Disorder
There is no guaranteed method to prevent borderline personality disorder. However, certain actions can contribute to better outcomes, such as:
- Refraining from drug and alcohol use
- Reducing stress levels
- Employing relaxation techniques
- Seeking assistance as soon as symptoms appear
Summary
Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder share some common symptoms, but they are distinct conditions. They do sometimes co-occur, so future research on the genetic and biological causes of BPD and bipolar disorder may reveal some undiscovered relationships between the two conditions.
The exact causes of the two conditions are not clear, but genetics is strongly linked to bipolar disorder, while trauma is strongly connected to borderline personality disorder. Both conditions have different treatments, so getting an accurate diagnosis is essential.
