Is it possible to have BPD and BP2 co-morbidly?
Question:
In all of the research I've done, there's so much overlap that I'm not sure if I have one, or both, or what.
Is it possible for someone with Bipolar type two to have BPD, and vice versa?
Answers:
I have both bipolar ll and BPD and a few other things so yes it is totally possible. I must say I was so in denial about the BPD for a long time but have now excepted the fact I have both of them. good luck take care
Hi englishgypsy. Yes, it is possible to have both - but you are right! There is a lot of overlap and even the experts can get confused. It is possible that you could have both or maybe just one or the other. Don'y worry and get too caught up on the labels as some of the treatments are the same anyway. One rule of thumb is that BPD episodes tend to occur more often as reactions to triggers in the environment, but with BP2 the mood swings come and go without there necessarily being any external "cause". Also, duration of both depressive and "up" periods tend to be longer with BP2 than with BPD. However, this really is murky - it is a guideline and not a concrete rule because some bipolar people are what they call rapid cyclers whose moods can shift very quickly. A good clue could be family history - having a bipolar close relative would tend to indicate BP2 as opposed to BPD - but never lose sight of the fact both are possible. The best thing to do is get an expert evaluation by a psychiatrist who has a lot of experience with bipolar. Please don't worry - these are very treatable conditions and you will get better. It is possible to access free professional bipolar tests online that are the same as the pros use. You would still need to go se an expert but doing a couple of teh most recognized tests may help give a better idea of what is going on - see www.bipolar-lives/bipolar-test... GOOD LUCK! Everything wil be fine - the most important thing is that you have teh right attitue and are being proactive about taking care of yourself.
Borderline personality disorder has some features like seeing others in black and white- that's not the same as bipolar, where you can be PO'd at someone and then get along good again. Also, there is a lack of self-identity in borderline,and "emptiness" Also,most people with borderline do have an abuse history, but not all. in bipolar,you will tend to see a lot of sleep cycle and energy level disruptions unless you are always rapid cycling. If there is a good chance you are bipolar, you probably should avoid antidepressants.
I guess it's possible. Some experts believe Borderline Personality Disorder is not a true personality disorder but rather a variant of the mood disorders (particularly the bipolar disorders). Since there are no objective lab tests for either disorder and both can have very similar symptoms it seems to me that it can often be very difficult to distinguish between the two. A clinician would have to observe a patient's mood, thinking and behavior very closely over an extended period of time to be able to place them in the bipolar or borderline category or to diagnose them with both.
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