Borderline or Bipolar?
Understanding the difference between these two diagnoses is one of the most important steps in picking what kind of help you need.
Both disorders can result in chaotic, unsatisfying lives and depression. The key is figuring out whether you are at the whim of your emotions, or if your emotions are the result of external circumstances.
Many people think that they are bipolar or are told that they are bipolar because their moods seem to fluctuate rapidly. People with personality issues can experience the same rapid mood shifts.
A qualified clinician can help. By exploring your history and taking the time to understand how your life and symptoms relate to one another, your doctor can help you pick the best course of treatment.
People with Borderline Personality Disorder benefit from very specific psychotherapies, like DBT, and medication can be of some benefit.
People with Bipolar Disorder are more likely to need medication, sometimes more than one. A good relationship with their psychiatrist is important, and their doctor can help them understand whether or not they would benefit from psychotherapy.
BIPOLAR DISORDER
My mood changes all the time, does that mean I am bipolar?
It might, but it could mean many other things. What you need to understand about your symptoms is what causes them, what makes them worse, and what makes them better. Often times women with BPD are mistakenly diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Bipolar Disorder, or Manic Depressive Illness, describes a group of mood related symptoms. Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating may be a symptom of Mania, but are more likely related to Anxiety or ADHD.
It's essential to understand which illness you have before starting treatment, because the wrong treatment may make your symptoms worse or add unpleasant side effects like acne, weight gain, and lethargy. A good psychiatrist should be able to isolate which symptoms you have and don't have to define your course of treatment.
What are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
People who have Bipolar disorder have episodes of depression and mania. The severity of these episodes helps to define what kind of Bipolar Disorder a person has.
Mania- is an elevated mood, where you may experience happiness or irratibility. People often feel like they can't slow down their racing thoughts or great ideas. In severe cases periods of mania can have devasting consequences including infidelity, incarceration, or bankruptcy. The key to understanding and managing mania is insight. People who are "manic" don't see themselves as such. They externalize their problems and become frustrated. Mood stabilizers help to control the mania and some, like lithium, can even help with depression.
Depression-is the other half of bipolar disorder. So many illnesses can cause depression, and it's important to understand all of them before coming to a diagnosis and treatment plan. The depression of BAD needs to be managed differently than major depressive disorder - click on the link to learn more about depression.
Basically, if you have had manic episodes and were not using narcotics or taking medication at the time of the mania, there is a good chance you have bipolar disorder. If you were using drugs, all bets are off, and you may need to wait a while before you will know if the drugs were responsible for the mania or not.
Treatment Options
If you think you have bipolar disorder, you need to be evaluated by a psychiatrist who has special training in helping people with mood disorders. It's not an illness that you should take lightly. Research has demonstated that Omega-3 fatty acids (Fish Oils) may be helpful in managing symptoms, but most people need more than just supplements to manage their illness.
To Schedule a Consultation, Please Call 310-593-4827
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