- [Narrator] Hey, Psych2Goers, welcome back.
Nearly 2/3 of individuals with bipolar disorder
have been misdiagnosed at some point in their lives.
Perhaps even more troubling
is that it takes an average of 10 years from the time
a person experiences their first bipolar mood episode
until they receive bipolar disorder treatment.
This treatment gap is the result
of widespread misunderstandings about bipolar disorder
and how it shows in episodes,
as well as a general aversion
to discussing this persistent psychological disorder,
especially when symptoms are present in a young person.
Before we take a look
at the differences between BPD and bipolar disorder,
let's take a moment to understand what these terms mean.
What is bipolar disorder?
According to APA,
bipolar disorder is a group of mood disorders
in which symptoms of mania and depression alternate.
In the DSM-5-TR and the DSM-5,
the group includes primarily the following subtypes:
bipolar I disorder,
in which someone fluctuates
between episodes of mania or hypomania
and major depressive episodes
or experience a mix of these,
and bipolar II disorder
in which the individual fluctuates
between major depressive and hypomanic episodes
and cyclothymic disorder.
What is borderline personality disorder, or BPD?
Borderline personality disorder
is defined as a personality disorder
characterized by a longstanding 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.
Among the manifestations of this disorder
are self-damaging behavior,
like gambling, overeating, and substance use;
intense or unstable relationships,
uncontrollable temper outbursts,
uncertainty about self-image,
gender, goals, and loyalties;
shifting, self-defeating behavior,
like fights, suicidal gestures,
or chronic feelings of emptiness and boredom.
In summary, BPD is a type of personality disorder
that causes people to feel, think, relate,
and behave differently than people without the condition.
Bipolar disorder is a type of mood disorder,
which is a category of illnesses
that can cause severe mood changes.
Quality and degree.
The first major distinction
is that bipolar disorder is a primary mood disorder,
whereas borderline is a primary personality disorder
marked by long-term interpersonal dysfunction.
As a result, bipolar disorder shows up in mood episodes
with intervals of balance in between,
referred to as the baseline mood zone.
As a result, the symptoms of bipolar disorder
are defined as episodic.
In contrast, borderline personality disorder
is when the conditions/symptoms persist across mood states.
As a bipolar type baseline mood zone,
people with borderline personality disorder
appear to be pleasant, calm or collected.
Regardless of emotional state,
borderline personality is frequently defined
by an ongoing entangled and chaotic jumble
of interpersonal connections and self-image.
Differences in treatment approach.
To keep their condition under control,
most people with bipolar disorder
require lifetime treatment.
This frequently involves medications,
such as mood stabilizers,
antipsychotics and antidepressants.
People with bipolar disorder can benefit from therapy
to better understand their condition
and build coping strategies.
People with borderline personality disorder
frequently require long-term treatment.
Specific types of psychotherapy are used
to help people manage impulses,
feelings of distress or anger,
and emotional oversensitivity to social interactions.
Medications are occasionally used
to aid with these symptoms, but they aren't always helpful
and aren't the primary focus of treatment
for borderline personality disorder.
Short hospital stays are sometimes necessary
to manage times of crisis that pose a threat
to one's safety and well-being.
Causes of the symptoms.
Mood shifts in BPD are typically triggered
by an environmental stressor,
such as a disagreement with a loved one.
Mood shifts in bipolar disorder may occur out of the blue,
without any triggers.
Sleep cycles.
During periods of mania and depression,
people with bipolar disorder
have severely disrupted sleep cycles.
People with BPD usually tend to have a regular sleep cycle.
Risk factors.
The link between bipolar disorder and genetics
is still a mystery.
Bipolar disorder is more common in people
who have a parent or sibling with the illness
than in the general population.
However, most people who have
a close relative with the disorder
will not develop it.
Borderline personality disorder is genetic
and can be passed from one person to another
within a family.
Research suggests that people with BPD
are five times more likely
to have a close family member with the disorder,
such as a sibling or parent.
So, did you find yourself
relating to any of the things we've mentioned here?
If you or anyone you know is seriously struggling
with your mental and emotional well-being,
please seek help
and talk to a mental healthcare professional today.
Getting in touch with the right person
can be a great first step to getting back on track.
What are some things you've learned?
What's something you wish to learn more about?
And what's been your experience?
Let us know in the comments.
And as always, thanks so much for watching.
We will see you in the next video.