Bipolar vs. Borderline
People often confuse or interchangeably describe or reference Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. There are major distinctions between the two and it is helpful and important to assist clients and families understand the difference in symptoms and pathology to better assist in appropriate treatments and identifying symptoms.
Bipolar Disorder is classified as a Mood Disorder, where Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is classified as a Personality Disorder. A few helpful differences to distinguish are as follows:
A chief tenet and key indicator of Bipolar Disorder is mania. Mania is an abnormally-elevated mood state. Signs & Symptoms for mania may be:
-Elevated mood state, increased self-esteem/grandiosity, fidgeting, decreased need for sleep, poor judgment and insight, impulsivity/high risk behavior, racing thoughts, pressured speech. Can be very goal or task oriented.
-Impulsivity/high risk behavior may include hypersexuality, increased spending, substance use.
-Sleep disturbances, increased anxiety, over stimulation, socialization can lead to onset of manic episode.
Bipolar Disorder may also include periods of depression following a manic episode.
The key tenet of BPD is that a person typically lacks a sense of self that lead to relationship issues. Personality Disorders commonly form in early teen years and although there can be many factors, a common element of BPD is complex, developmentally, or single event traumas that can damage the psyche and self-concept. Examples of trauma may be sexual, physical, emotional and verbal abuse as well as traumatic loss or abandonment.
Common signs and traits are:
Rigid, black & white thinking
Hard time forming and keeping relationships
Inability to regulate own emotions; Anger issues
Fear of abandonment and betrayal that lead to trust issues (This may be the result of childhood trauma).
Self-harm
Impulsive Behavior/ “Self-Sabotage”
Feelings of Emptiness
It is important to understand that a person may not exhibit all of these traits or may also struggle in other ways but with awareness they are more equipped to grow and heal.
