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Borderline Personality Disorder

The Difference Between Borderline and Bipolar Disorders

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woman talking to therapist about the difference between borderline and bipolar

What is the difference between borderline and bipolar disorders? People may confuse borderline and bipolar disorder due to them having two or three similar symptoms. However, they are very different, each with unique characteristics that help professionals diagnose and treat them appropriately. Borderline, a personality disorder, and bipolar, a mood disorder, can have a severe impact on someone’s life and interfere with daily functioning if left untreated. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar disorder (BD) are two of the more common mental illnesses. One of the signature traits of BPD is a person’s inability to regulate their emotions. With BD, a person’s mood changes in cycles from depression to mania. Getting the correct diagnosis is crucial to avoid the adverse effects of both disorders. This article explores the difference between borderline and bipolar. What is Borderline Personality Disorder? The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that 1.4% of Americans have …

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4 Types of Borderline Personality Disorder

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
woman looking out window, wondering about the types of borderline personality disorder

While Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a singular diagnosis, it manifests in various forms, leading to the conceptualization of different subtypes. These subtypes, though not officially recognized in diagnostic manuals, offer insight into the diverse presentations of BPD. Borderline Personality Disorder, a complex mental health condition, often bewilders both those who experience it and the professionals who treat it. This disorder embodies a spectrum of symptoms that vary widely among individuals, making a one-size-fits-all approach ineffective. To better understand and address the varied manifestations of BPD, clinicians have proposed four subtypes, each reflecting unique patterns of behavior and challenges. In this article, you will learn more about the different types of borderline personality disorder and the treatment options available. Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder Borderline Personality Disorder is characterized by intense emotional instability, impulsive behaviors, and a distorted self-image, often leading to tumultuous relationships and self-harm. Patients with BPD experience a …

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Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month

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Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month

What is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month? In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives declared May as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness month. This is largely in part due to the National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder’s efforts to educate others about the disorder and its impact; these efforts seek to empower those diagnosed while reducing stigma that surrounds the disorder.  What is Borderline Personality Disorder? According to the American Psychiatric Association, borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterized by “a long-standing pattern of instability in mood, interpersonal relationships, and self-image that is severe enough to cause extreme distress or interfere with social and occupational functioning” (APA, 2021). To meet diagnostic criteria, an individual must meet five of the following categories: frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation, identity disturbance …

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