Bipolar vs BPD: These two disorders are often confused by many. And they’re not to blame considering they both have symptoms of impulsiveness and mood swings. Despite this, they differ in numerous ways and have dissimilar treatments.
No wonder taking it upon yourself to understand what each condition entails goes a long way in easily understanding the condition you’re currently battling. Fortunately, we are here to help clear some of the doubts surrounding these two mental health conditions.
For a start when it comes to Bipolar vs BPD, it is in your best interest to have a better understanding of what each condition entails. In a nutshell, Bipolar Disorder also known as manic depression leads to swings in mood, energy, and the ability to functions throughout the day.
Things tend to be different with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) since it involves a longstanding pattern of abrupt, moment-to-moment swings in moods, relationships, behavior, and self-image. Individuals with BPD can experience overly strong emotional responses to upsetting life events and often try to hurt themselves.
When it comes to the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, it is mostly defined by alternating periods of depression and mania and can last from days to months. Unlike BPD, the mood swings of Bipolar Disorder are not triggered by interpersonal conflicts.
During times of mania, you might feel excessively happy or angry, have racing thoughts and ideas, talk more and faster, make big plans, and take more risks. In periods of depression, symptoms might include drop in energy, lasting sadness, less activity and energy, restlessness and irritability.
If you have BPD, you might have trouble controlling your thoughts and managing your feelings, and often have impulsive and reckless behavior. Other symptoms include frantic efforts to avoid feeling abandoned, poor self-image, impulsiveness, self-harm, and history of unstable, intense relationships.
At any point that you suspect to be battling Bipolar Disorder or BPD, then it is in your best interest that you have a word with your medical practitioner. It is then that they will diagnose your condition and offer treatment options based on their findings.
