Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder

Diagnosing mental health disorders is not quite as clear-cut as diagnosing a physical problem, such as diabetes or cancer. Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. Unfortunately, this means physicians frequently diagnose patients incorrectly, prolonging the start of appropriate and effective treatment. This problem often occurs with two common mental health conditions: bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

People with bipolar disorder have fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity that vary along a continuum anchored at each end by depression and mania (hyperactivity, euphoria). The periodic episodes of mania distinguish bipolar disorder from general depression. Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability between ages 15 and 44. It often coexists with other mental health disorders, such as substance abuse, panic disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In between mood episodes, those who suffer from bipolar disorder are capable of functioning at a relatively normal level.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is primarily an inability to regulate emotions. Sufferers experience pervasive mood instability, excessive or impulsive behavior, and unstable relationships. Borderline personality disorder accounts for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations, and individuals with BPD are at higher risk for suicide. Many BPD sufferers have a history of abuse, neglect, and separation.

Eighty-five percent of those with BPD also meet the criteria for other mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder. However, there are a few important differences.

People with BPD do not experience periods of mania, which are the hallmark of bipolar disorder. Bipolar mood swings alternate between depression and mania with periods of relative stability in between. Mood episodes can last for days or weeks. In contrast, people with BPD exhibit short, intense bouts of anger and anxiety.Individuals with BPD suffer from pervasive feelings of chronic emptiness, abandonment, and fear. They tend to feel they are bad or unworthy, and often complain they are unfairly misunderstood or treated.

The first line of treatment for people with bipolar disorder is medication, which physicians may augment with psychotherapy. In contrast, psychotherapy is the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a type of psychotherapy that's specific to borderline personality disorder, is generally effective.

It's important to recognize these differences. In a 2008 study, one in four mental health patients were not initially diagnosed correctly. These misdiagnoses lead to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization and medical costs.

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health. "What is bipolar disorder?" Web. 15 April 2009.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/what-is-bipolar-disorder.shtml

Association to Assist Persons with Emotional Lesions. "BPD and bipolar disorder, similarities and differences." Web. August 2007. http://www.aapel.org/bdp/BLbpd-bipolarUS.html

National Institute of Mental Health. "Borderline Personality Disorder." Web. 24 August 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. "Group Therapy Program Offers Meaningful Gains for People with Borderline Personality Disorder." Science Update. Web. 26 February 2008.
A http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/group-therapy-program-offers-meaningful-gains-for-people-with-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. " National Survey Tracks Prevalence of Personality Disorders in U.S. Population. Science Update. Web. 15 July 2009. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/national-survey-tracks-prevalence-of-personality-disorders-in-us-population.shtml

Insel, Thomas. "What's in a Name? - The Outlook for Borderline Personality Disorder." Blog posting. Web. 19 April 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2010/whats-in-a-name-the-outlook-for-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

Bowden, Charles L., M.D. "Strategies to reduce misdiagnosis of Bipolar Depression." Psychiatric Services 52 (2001): 51-55. Web.  http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/1/51

"Managing Bipolardisorder: Misdiagnosis and Quality of Life." The American Journal of Managed Care 11 (2005): S267. Web. 9 October 2005.

http://www.ajmc.com/supplement/managed-care/2005/2005-10-vol11-n9Suppl/Oct05-2150pS267

"Bipolar Disorder  Misdiagnosed In A Quarter Of Cases." Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2 -5 June 2009. Medical News Today. 7 June 2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152814.php

Busko, Marlene."Adults Admitted to a Mood-Disorder Clinic are Often Misdiagnosed." Medscape Medical News. 16 October 2008. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/582125

View the original article here

Could You Have Borderline Personality Disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a severe and chronic mental health condition that disrupts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. Up to two percent of adults, mostly young women, suffer from this illness. BPD often occurs with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. Overlapping symptoms make it difficult to distinguish BPD from other disorders.

People with Borderline Personality Disorder have extreme mood shifts, unstable personal relationships, and a propensity to harm themselves. They are likely to express intense, short-term bouts of anger, depression, or anxiety.

These individuals can swing emotionally from strong affection for a loved one to intense anger and dislike. They fear abandonment and tend to view things rigidly. Not surprisingly, the rate of marriage among individuals suffering from BPD is about half in a population of people of similar age and culture. Women have children at about 25 percent rate of the general population.

You may see someone with Borderline Personality Disorder exhibit impulsive aggression, self-injury, substance abuse, or reckless behaviors, such as excessive spending, binge eating, and risky sex. In fact, about 80 percent of BPD sufferers have suicidal behavior and four to nine percent successfully complete suicide. Borderline personality disorder accounts for about 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations.

Mental health experts believe environment and genetics both play a role in Borderline Personality Disorder, especially in vulnerable individuals. Many sufferers have a history of abuse, neglect, and separation, and up to 71 percent report sexual abuse. People who have BPD may have impaired regulation of neural circuits that modulate emotion, and it may be a precursor to bipolar disorder.

With psychotherapy, drugs, and behavioral interventions, most people with BPD improve somewhat, although they never become totally well. Several types of psychotherapy seem to be effective. Dialectical behavioral therapy helps patients acquire skills to reduce emotional and behavioral extremes. Transference-focused therapy examines and deals with emotions in the therapist-patient relationship, and supportive therapy helps people cope with daily struggles.

Some individuals with BPD have predictably better outcomes. Those who are very intelligent, unusually artistically talented, and are physically attractive (women only), are more likely to improve than those with a history of incest, parent brutality, untreated substance abuse, or schizophrenic or antisocial features. While obsessive-compulsive behaviors are generally a problem, experts say in some people who have Borderline Personality Disorder, these behaviors provide some much-needed self-discipline and structure.

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health. "Borderline Personality Disorder." Web. 24 August 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml

Insel, Thomas. "What's in a Name? - The Outlook for Borderline Personality Disorder." Blog posting. Web. 19 April 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2010/whats-in-a-name-the-outlook-for-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

Carver, Deborah Daniels, MD. "Clinical Aspects of Borderline Personality Disorder." Medscape Medical News. Web. 29 March 2002.http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/430852

Kuo, Irving,MD. "Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder." Medscape Medical News. Web. 31 October 2007. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/563986

Brooks, Megan. "Long-Term Recovery From Borderline Personality Disorder Out of Reach for Many." Medscape Medical News. Web. 15 April 2010. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/720303

View the original article here

Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder

Diagnosing mental health disorders is not quite as clear-cut as diagnosing a physical problem, such as diabetes or cancer. Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. Unfortunately, this means physicians frequently diagnose patients incorrectly, prolonging the start of appropriate and effective treatment. This problem often occurs with two common mental health conditions: bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

People with bipolar disorder have fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity that vary along a continuum anchored at each end by depression and mania (hyperactivity, euphoria). The periodic episodes of mania distinguish bipolar disorder from general depression. Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability between ages 15 and 44. It often coexists with other mental health disorders, such as substance abuse, panic disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In between mood episodes, those who suffer from bipolar disorder are capable of functioning at a relatively normal level.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is primarily an inability to regulate emotions. Sufferers experience pervasive mood instability, excessive or impulsive behavior, and unstable relationships. Borderline personality disorder accounts for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations, and individuals with BPD are at higher risk for suicide. Many BPD sufferers have a history of abuse, neglect, and separation.

Eighty-five percent of those with BPD also meet the criteria for other mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder. However, there are a few important differences.

People with BPD do not experience periods of mania, which are the hallmark of bipolar disorder. Bipolar mood swings alternate between depression and mania with periods of relative stability in between. Mood episodes can last for days or weeks. In contrast, people with BPD exhibit short, intense bouts of anger and anxiety.Individuals with BPD suffer from pervasive feelings of chronic emptiness, abandonment, and fear. They tend to feel they are bad or unworthy, and often complain they are unfairly misunderstood or treated.

The first line of treatment for people with bipolar disorder is medication, which physicians may augment with psychotherapy. In contrast, psychotherapy is the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a type of psychotherapy that's specific to borderline personality disorder, is generally effective.

It's important to recognize these differences. In a 2008 study, one in four mental health patients were not initially diagnosed correctly. These misdiagnoses lead to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization and medical costs.

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health. "What is bipolar disorder?" Web. 15 April 2009.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/what-is-bipolar-disorder.shtml

Association to Assist Persons with Emotional Lesions. "BPD and bipolar disorder, similarities and differences." Web. August 2007. http://www.aapel.org/bdp/BLbpd-bipolarUS.html

National Institute of Mental Health. "Borderline Personality Disorder." Web. 24 August 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. "Group Therapy Program Offers Meaningful Gains for People with Borderline Personality Disorder." Science Update. Web. 26 February 2008.
A http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/group-therapy-program-offers-meaningful-gains-for-people-with-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. " National Survey Tracks Prevalence of Personality Disorders in U.S. Population. Science Update. Web. 15 July 2009. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/national-survey-tracks-prevalence-of-personality-disorders-in-us-population.shtml

Insel, Thomas. "What's in a Name? - The Outlook for Borderline Personality Disorder." Blog posting. Web. 19 April 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2010/whats-in-a-name-the-outlook-for-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

Bowden, Charles L., M.D. "Strategies to reduce misdiagnosis of Bipolar Depression." Psychiatric Services 52 (2001): 51-55. Web.  http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/1/51

"Managing Bipolardisorder: Misdiagnosis and Quality of Life." The American Journal of Managed Care 11 (2005): S267. Web. 9 October 2005.

http://www.ajmc.com/supplement/managed-care/2005/2005-10-vol11-n9Suppl/Oct05-2150pS267

"Bipolar Disorder  Misdiagnosed In A Quarter Of Cases." Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2 -5 June 2009. Medical News Today. 7 June 2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152814.php

Busko, Marlene."Adults Admitted to a Mood-Disorder Clinic are Often Misdiagnosed." Medscape Medical News. 16 October 2008. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/582125

View the original article here

Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder

Diagnosing mental health disorders is not quite as clear-cut as diagnosing a physical problem, such as diabetes or cancer. Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. Unfortunately, this means physicians frequently diagnose patients incorrectly, prolonging the start of appropriate and effective treatment. This problem often occurs with two common mental health conditions: bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

People with bipolar disorder have fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity that vary along a continuum anchored at each end by depression and mania (hyperactivity, euphoria). The periodic episodes of mania distinguish bipolar disorder from general depression. Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability between ages 15 and 44. It often coexists with other mental health disorders, such as substance abuse, panic disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In between mood episodes, those who suffer from bipolar disorder are capable of functioning at a relatively normal level.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is primarily an inability to regulate emotions. Sufferers experience pervasive mood instability, excessive or impulsive behavior, and unstable relationships. Borderline personality disorder accounts for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations, and individuals with BPD are at higher risk for suicide. Many BPD sufferers have a history of abuse, neglect, and separation.

Eighty-five percent of those with BPD also meet the criteria for other mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder. However, there are a few important differences.

People with BPD do not experience periods of mania, which are the hallmark of bipolar disorder. Bipolar mood swings alternate between depression and mania with periods of relative stability in between. Mood episodes can last for days or weeks. In contrast, people with BPD exhibit short, intense bouts of anger and anxiety.Individuals with BPD suffer from pervasive feelings of chronic emptiness, abandonment, and fear. They tend to feel they are bad or unworthy, and often complain they are unfairly misunderstood or treated.

The first line of treatment for people with bipolar disorder is medication, which physicians may augment with psychotherapy. In contrast, psychotherapy is the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a type of psychotherapy that's specific to borderline personality disorder, is generally effective.

It's important to recognize these differences. In a 2008 study, one in four mental health patients were not initially diagnosed correctly. These misdiagnoses lead to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization and medical costs.

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health. "What is bipolar disorder?" Web. 15 April 2009.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/what-is-bipolar-disorder.shtml

Association to Assist Persons with Emotional Lesions. "BPD and bipolar disorder, similarities and differences." Web. August 2007. http://www.aapel.org/bdp/BLbpd-bipolarUS.html

National Institute of Mental Health. "Borderline Personality Disorder." Web. 24 August 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. "Group Therapy Program Offers Meaningful Gains for People with Borderline Personality Disorder." Science Update. Web. 26 February 2008.
A http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/group-therapy-program-offers-meaningful-gains-for-people-with-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. " National Survey Tracks Prevalence of Personality Disorders in U.S. Population. Science Update. Web. 15 July 2009. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/national-survey-tracks-prevalence-of-personality-disorders-in-us-population.shtml

Insel, Thomas. "What's in a Name? - The Outlook for Borderline Personality Disorder." Blog posting. Web. 19 April 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2010/whats-in-a-name-the-outlook-for-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

Bowden, Charles L., M.D. "Strategies to reduce misdiagnosis of Bipolar Depression." Psychiatric Services 52 (2001): 51-55. Web.  http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/1/51

"Managing Bipolardisorder: Misdiagnosis and Quality of Life." The American Journal of Managed Care 11 (2005): S267. Web. 9 October 2005.

http://www.ajmc.com/supplement/managed-care/2005/2005-10-vol11-n9Suppl/Oct05-2150pS267

"Bipolar Disorder  Misdiagnosed In A Quarter Of Cases." Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2 -5 June 2009. Medical News Today. 7 June 2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152814.php

Busko, Marlene."Adults Admitted to a Mood-Disorder Clinic are Often Misdiagnosed." Medscape Medical News. 16 October 2008. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/582125

View the original article here

Bipolar Disorder vs. Borderline Personality Disorder

Diagnosing mental health disorders is not quite as clear-cut as diagnosing a physical problem, such as diabetes or cancer. Many symptoms of mental illnesses overlap and can fluctuate from day to day, or week to week. Unfortunately, this means physicians frequently diagnose patients incorrectly, prolonging the start of appropriate and effective treatment. This problem often occurs with two common mental health conditions: bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

People with bipolar disorder have fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity that vary along a continuum anchored at each end by depression and mania (hyperactivity, euphoria). The periodic episodes of mania distinguish bipolar disorder from general depression. Bipolar disorder is the sixth leading cause of disability between ages 15 and 44. It often coexists with other mental health disorders, such as substance abuse, panic disorder, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In between mood episodes, those who suffer from bipolar disorder are capable of functioning at a relatively normal level.

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is primarily an inability to regulate emotions. Sufferers experience pervasive mood instability, excessive or impulsive behavior, and unstable relationships. Borderline personality disorder accounts for 20 percent of psychiatric hospitalizations, and individuals with BPD are at higher risk for suicide. Many BPD sufferers have a history of abuse, neglect, and separation.

Eighty-five percent of those with BPD also meet the criteria for other mental health disorders, including bipolar disorder. However, there are a few important differences.

People with BPD do not experience periods of mania, which are the hallmark of bipolar disorder. Bipolar mood swings alternate between depression and mania with periods of relative stability in between. Mood episodes can last for days or weeks. In contrast, people with BPD exhibit short, intense bouts of anger and anxiety.Individuals with BPD suffer from pervasive feelings of chronic emptiness, abandonment, and fear. They tend to feel they are bad or unworthy, and often complain they are unfairly misunderstood or treated.

The first line of treatment for people with bipolar disorder is medication, which physicians may augment with psychotherapy. In contrast, psychotherapy is the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, a type of psychotherapy that's specific to borderline personality disorder, is generally effective.

It's important to recognize these differences. In a 2008 study, one in four mental health patients were not initially diagnosed correctly. These misdiagnoses lead to higher rates of psychiatric hospitalization and medical costs.

Sources:

National Institute of Mental Health. "What is bipolar disorder?" Web. 15 April 2009.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/bipolar-disorder/what-is-bipolar-disorder.shtml

Association to Assist Persons with Emotional Lesions. "BPD and bipolar disorder, similarities and differences." Web. August 2007. http://www.aapel.org/bdp/BLbpd-bipolarUS.html

National Institute of Mental Health. "Borderline Personality Disorder." Web. 24 August 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder-fact-sheet/index.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. "Group Therapy Program Offers Meaningful Gains for People with Borderline Personality Disorder." Science Update. Web. 26 February 2008.
A http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2008/group-therapy-program-offers-meaningful-gains-for-people-with-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

National Institute of Mental Health. " National Survey Tracks Prevalence of Personality Disorders in U.S. Population. Science Update. Web. 15 July 2009. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2007/national-survey-tracks-prevalence-of-personality-disorders-in-us-population.shtml

Insel, Thomas. "What's in a Name? - The Outlook for Borderline Personality Disorder." Blog posting. Web. 19 April 2010.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/about/director/2010/whats-in-a-name-the-outlook-for-borderline-personality-disorder.shtml

Bowden, Charles L., M.D. "Strategies to reduce misdiagnosis of Bipolar Depression." Psychiatric Services 52 (2001): 51-55. Web.  http://psychservices.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full/52/1/51

"Managing Bipolardisorder: Misdiagnosis and Quality of Life." The American Journal of Managed Care 11 (2005): S267. Web. 9 October 2005.

http://www.ajmc.com/supplement/managed-care/2005/2005-10-vol11-n9Suppl/Oct05-2150pS267

"Bipolar Disorder  Misdiagnosed In A Quarter Of Cases." Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2 -5 June 2009. Medical News Today. 7 June 2009. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152814.php

Busko, Marlene."Adults Admitted to a Mood-Disorder Clinic are Often Misdiagnosed." Medscape Medical News. 16 October 2008. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/582125

View the original article here