Bipolar and borderline personality disorder, what's the difference?

It is often difficult to tell the difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Bipolar and borderline personality disorder (also called borderline personality disorder) are two mental health conditions that affect millions of people each year. Even though both mental health conditions have similar symptoms, the two still have differences. What are the differences between bipolar and borderline personality disorder?

Differences between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Although bipolar disorder and BPD look the same at first glance, there are still differences in their symptoms. How to tell the difference?

Bipolar disorder

This disorder is called bipolar (which means two poles) because the sufferer exhibits two very different emotional poles. The first is mania, which is a phase or episode of extreme and explosive happiness. While the second pole is depression. This second pole is the drastic opposite of mania. The sufferer will enter a phase that is so sad, sad, lackluster, and very lethargic.

The symptoms of bipolar disorder are divided into two, namely the manic phase and the depression phase. The following are the symptoms of the manic phase.

• Can not stay still, have to move on or walk back and forth.
• Feeling overwhelming joy.
• So they are more aware of their surroundings, from falling objects, other people's touches, to the sounds they hear.
• Talk very fast without clear direction (difficult to understand).
• Can't sleep, stay up all night but don't feel sleepy or tired in the morning.
• Acting reckless, such as crazy shopping, fighting with a teacher or boss, resigning from the company, having sex with strangers without a condom, reckless driving, or drinking.
• Psychosis, which is not being able to distinguish what is real and what is only in his mind.

Meanwhile, in the depressive phase, you will show characteristics such as:

• Withdrawing from the environment and those closest to you.
• Losing interest in activities that were previously enjoyed.
• Losing energy and energy drastically, usually the patient cannot leave the bed for hours or days.
• Talk very slowly, sometimes like someone who is rambling.
• Impaired memory, concentration, and reasoning.
• Obsession with death, suicidal thoughts, or attempted suicide.
• Drastic changes in diet, whether your appetite is lost or increased.
• Constantly feeling guilty, useless, or unworthy.

What distinguishes bipolar disorder from mood swings in general is their intensity. People with bipolar disorder will show phases of mania and depression so severe that they can lose control of their own emotions.

Borderline personality disorder

People with BPD have an unstable mindset. This instability makes it difficult for them to regulate their emotions. People with BPD tend to have a history of unstable relationships. They will try their best not to be ignored by the crowd at all costs. This is one of the differences compared to bipolar.

People with borderline personality disorder are more likely to have other mental health problems as well. They are also more likely to have some kind of trauma as children than people with bipolar disorder.

In addition to other mental health problems, BPD usually has problems with eating disorders, body image, and anxiety. People with BPD experience emotional responses that are too strong, they often have chaotic relationships with those around them.

A person with BPD has problems controlling thoughts and managing their feelings, and often has impulsive and reckless behavior.

These are the symptoms of BPD:

• Excessive fear of someone's rejection or abandonment.
• Feelings of extreme anxiety, worry, and depression.
• Has a history of love that is not stable (change drastically) from love that really, turned into hatred.
• Experiencing changes mood continuous, lasting several days or only a few hours.
• Has an unstable self-image.
• Difficulty feeling empathy for others.
• Impulsive, risky, self-destructive behavior that is dangerous. For example, they like to hurt themselves physically, drive recklessly, or abuse drugs and alcohol.
• Paranoid.
• Feelings of alienation, boredom, and emptiness.

So where is the difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder?

At first glance, the two disorders are indeed very similar. However, the key to differentiating them is in their intensity. In people with borderline personality disorder, mood swing it will continue. Whereas in people with bipolar disorder, there will be times when they will not experience any manic or depressive symptoms at all. They will appear calm like people in general.

In addition, experts also believe that bipolar disorder can occur without a clear trigger alias appears suddenly. It's different from borderline personality disorder. At BPD, usually mood swing or emotional outbursts will arise when triggered by factors such as conflict with the closest person.

If you suspect that you or someone closest to you is experiencing symptoms of bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder, see your doctor immediately.