People With Bipolar and BPD Struggle in Mental Healthcare |
What Is Bipolar Disorder?
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Borderline personality disorder occurs in 1 in 5 patients with bipolar, and is referred to as "borderpolar."
Over 39% of people with "borderpolar" also meet criteria for PTSD, compared to 17% of those with bipolar only.
Comorbidity of bipolar and borderline personality disorder is often overlooked in standard clinical practice.
Co-authored by Robert Mueller, Ph.D., and Divya Bhupal.
"There is a unique kind of pain in losing your mind, not just once, but over and over. Losing your perception of reality, of your emotions, of your closest relationships—both across months and multiple times a day. Knowing deep down that something is wrong but being unable to stop it."
Leena (name changed for anonymity), diagnosed with both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, describes above how this challenging combination of mental health conditions repeatedly brought her to the brink of death, despite her relentless efforts to regain control.
Bipolar vs. Borderline Personality Disorder
A hallmark symptom of both bipolar disorder (BD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) is mood instability, yet they are markedly different disorders. BD involves mood swings that last for weeks or months, shifting between depressive, hypomanic, or manic episodes, and is often genetic, requiring pharmaceutical treatment. In contrast, BPD involves rapid mood shifts that can occur within hours, accompanied by intense emotional pain, fear of abandonment, impulsivity, and an unstable sense of self. BPD’s development often stems from childhood trauma and abuse.
What Comorbidity Looks Like
Despite their differences, the........