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 they are bipolar because their moods seem to fluctuate rapidly. People with personality issues can experience the same rapid mood shifts as people with bipolar disorder.
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.
BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER
But I have nice personality!
The term personality disorder frightens and insults a lot people. It's a scientific term that has more to do with when and how your symptoms started then how good a person you are. BPD causes problems in relationships, shifts in mood, and frantic attempts to avoid real or perceived abandonment. That's what most people who know the disorder will talk about - But what does it mean? It means out of sight is out of mind. Women with BPD feel pain from the moment they start a relationship. Effective treatment, which includes DBT and supportive psychotherapy, is a crucial component in building faith in your relationships.
Choosing a Therapist
You need a strong experienced therapist who can help you contain your emotions. Your relationship with your doctor will form the foundation of all the relationships you build from here on out. Your tendency will be to try to make this relationship work like all the ones in your past. Those relationships failed because of the stress you put on them. It's not your fault, but it has to change. Your therapist should point out when those behaviors emerge and help you make healthier choices.
You need new skills.
Your current repetoire doesn't meet your needs. The craving you feel for intimacy and support can only be met when you can offer those in exchange. Partly, good therapy needs to focus on the relationship you want before you get into it. Your doctor's office is a test lab where you can simulate and rehearse what you hope to do in future relationships.
How bad am I?
Most women with BPD are plagued by self-destructive images and urges. Some may be mistakenly hospitalized for suicidal thoughts only to be discharged with the same problem and an expensive stay in an uncomfortable ward. Thinking about suicide doesn't necessarily make you suicidal! Getting help is so frightening because it involves forming a relationship, and life has taught you that relationships are dangerous. THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE.
Can Medications Help?
Yes, they can. I frequently tell patients that medications provide a ballast to keep you from getting blown over by the day-to-day stuff that other people seem to manage with such applomb. Other medications can help you navigate specific parts of your therapy, but are usually only effective in combination with psychotherapy.
To Schedule a Consultation, Please Call 310-593-4827
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