What is bipolor disorder and borderline personality disorder?
405877
Bipolar Disorder:\nWhat Is Bipolar Disorder?\n\nBipolar disorder used to be known as manic depression. It's a serious illness, one that can lead to risky behavior, damaged relationships and careers, even suicidal tendencies -- if it's not treated. \n\nBipolar disorder is characterized by extreme changes in mood (poles) -- from mania to depression. Between these mood swings, a person with Bipolar disorder may experience normal moods.\n\n"Manic" describes an increasingly restless, energetic, talkative, reckless, powerful, euphoric period. Lavish spending sprees or impulsive risky sex can be irresistible. Then, at some point, this high-flying mood can spiral into something darker -- irritation, confusion, anger, feeling trapped.\n\n"Depression" describes the opposite mood -- sadness, crying, sense of worthlessness, loss of energy, loss of pleasure, sleep problems. \n\nBut because the pattern of highs and lows varies for each person, bipolar disorder is a complex disease to diagnose. For some people, mania or depression can last for weeks or months, even for years. For other people, bipolar disorder takes the form of frequent and dramatic mood shifts. \n\n"There's a whole spectrum of symptoms and mood changes that have been found in bipolar disorder," says Michael Aronson, MD, a clinical psychiatrist and consultant for WebMD. "It's not always dramatic mood swings. In fact, some people seem to get along just fine. The manic periods can be very, very productive. They think things are going great."\n\nThe danger comes, he says, when the mania grows much worse. "The change can be very dramatic, with catastrophic results. People can get involved in reckless behavior, spend a lot of money, there may be sexual promiscuity, sexual risks." \n\nThe depressed phases can be equally dangerous: A person may have frequent thoughts of suicide.\n\nIf you or someone you know has thoughts of death or suicide, contact a health-care professional, loved one, friend, or call 911 immediately. \n\nBipolar disorder is equally difficult for families of those affected. The condition is the most difficult mental illness for families to accept, Aronson tells WebMD. "Families can more easily accept schizophrenia, to understand that it is an illness. But when a person is sometimes very productive, then becomes unreasonable or irrational, it wreaks more havoc on the family. It seems more like bad behavior, like they won't straighten up." \n\nIf this rings true -- either for you or a loved one -- the first step in tackling the problem is to see a psychiatrist. Whether it's bipolar disorder or another mood-related problem, effective treatments are available. What's most important is that you recognize the problem, and start looking for help.\n\nBorderline Personality Disorder \n\nTopic Overview \n\n\nWhat is borderline personality disorder?\nBorderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes unstable emotions, impulsiveness, relationship problems, and an unstable self-image. People with the disorder often behave self-destructively, have problems managing anger, and have an intense fear of being rejected and left alone (abandoned). They often also struggle with other conditions such as depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse problems. \n\nSigns of the disorder usually first appear in childhood, but problems often don't develop until early adulthood. Treatment can be difficult. Setbacks are common, and recovery from troubling emotional and behavioral symptoms can take years. However, treatment may be more effective than was previously thought, and even people with severe symptoms usually improve over time.1\n\nWhat are the symptoms?\nFeatures of borderline personality disorder include aggressive behavior, difficulty controlling emotions and impulses, problems with unstable and intense relationships, a low sense of self-worth, and frantic anxiety
855514
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder/DS00356\nBipolar disorder\nIntroduction\n\nFrom high to low. From euphoria to depression. From recklessness to listlessness. These are the extremes associated with bipolar disorder, which can be a serious and disabling mental illness. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic-depression or manic-depressive illness — manic behavior is one extreme of this disorder and depression is the other.\n\nBipolar disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and may persist throughout life. The causes of bipolar disorder are elusive, and there's no cure.\n\nThe flares of bipolar disorder may last for weeks or months, causing great disturbances in the lives of those affected, their friends and their families. Left untreated, the condition usually worsens. But bipolar disorder can be managed with medications and other therapies.\nSigns and symptoms\n\nBipolar disorder is characterized by an alternating pattern of emotional highs (mania) and lows (depression). The intensity of the associated signs and symptoms varies. Bipolar disorder can range from a mild condition to a severe condition, and there may be periods of normal behavior.\n\nManic phase\nFor many people, signs and symptoms in the manic phase may include:\n\n    * Feelings of euphoria, extreme optimism and inflated self-esteem\n    * Rapid speech, racing thoughts, agitation and increased physical activity\n    * Poor judgment\n    * Recklessness or taking chances not normally taken\n    * Difficulty sleeping\n    * Tendency to be easily distracted\n    * Inability to concentrate\n    * Aggressive behavior\n\nDepressive phase\nIn the depressive phase, signs and symptoms include:\n\n    * Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, guilt or hopelessness\n    * Disturbances in sleep and appetite\n    * Fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities\n    * Problems concentrating\n    * Irritability\n    * Chronic pain without a known cause\n    * Recurring thoughts of suicide\n\nCauses\n\nDoctors and researchers don't know exactly what causes bipolar disorder. But a variety of biologic, genetic and environmental factors seem to be involved in causing and triggering episodes of this illness.\n\nEvidence indicates that differences in the chemical messengers between nerve cells in the brain (neurotransmitters) occur in people who have bipolar disorder. In many cases, people with a bipolar disorder may have a genetic disposition for the disorder. The abnormality may be in genes that regulate neurotransmitters. However, not everyone with a family member who has bipolar disorder will develop the disease.\n\nFactors that may contribute to or trigger episodes of bipolar disorder include drug abuse and stressful or psychologically traumatic events.\nRisk factors\n\nBipolar disorder tends to run in families. A family history of depression appears to exist in 80 percent to 90 percent of cases of bipolar disorder. Researchers are attempting to identify genes that may make people susceptible to bipolar disorder.\nWhen to seek medical advice\n\nPeople with bipolar disorder often don't recognize how impaired they are when experiencing a mood episode and how greatly the disorder is affecting their lives and the lives of others. Friends, family and primary care physicians are all important in recognizing possible signs of bipolar disorder and urging the person to seek professional help.\n\nIf a family member or friend shows signs of bipolar disorder, encourage that person to seek the care of a psychiatrist.\nScreening and diagnosis\n\nYour doctor may ask you or a family member who has accompanied you about your signs and symptoms and to describe apparent episodes of mania and depression. Diagnosis also involves ruling out other mental health conditions that may produce some symptoms similar to bipolar disorder. These may include other mood disorders, sometimes schizophrenia, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline per
1024402
it is a mental illness\nBipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive illness, is a brain disorder that causes unusual shifts in a person's mood, energy, and ability to function. Different from the normal ups and downs that everyone goes through, the symptoms of bipolar disorder are severe. They can result in damaged relationships, poor job or school performance, and even suicide. But there is good news: bipolar disorder can be treated, and people with this illness can lead full and productive lives\n\n check out this site\nhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/Publicat/bipolar.cfm
672919
manic depression sounds like a certifiable thing but bi-polar actually sounds like an illness. Actually, I think it might be because there are so many types of depression that just calling it manic depression could mean anything. I mean you could have a manic form of any depression so they need to use a different name.
430132
Yes I do, my mother was diagnosed with both. What do you want to know about them, need more info.\n\nEmotional highs and lows are part of life for everyone. But for someone with bipolar disorder, these ups and downs can be so extreme they can interfere with daily life. Sometimes they can even be dangerous.\n\nBorderline personality disorder is a mental health condition that causes unstable emotions, impulsiveness, relationship problems, and an unstable self-image. People with the disorder often behave self-destructively, have problems managing anger, and have an intense fear of being rejected and left alone (abandoned). They often also struggle with other conditions such as depression, eating disorders, or substance abuse problems.
4725
It depends on the disorder. Schizophrenia is much more likely to develop in someone whose parent(s) had it, as is bi-polar disorder. You may want to talk to a pshychologist and get a professional opinion if it's present in a lot of family members.
490571
Go to the library.  There are alot of books that will go into details of both.  Bipolar two is mostly depression rather than manic.  Also try this... www.bipolar.com  Hope that helps!
1051897
Regarding responses you've already received...Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, and Bipolar Disorder are probably not what's going on.  The symptoms you describe sound much more like Borderline Personality Disorder to me.  Google it, go find it on WebMD, whatever...just check it out and see if the descriptions sound familiar.  No matter what you choose to do, the most reasonable and sensible course of action is to first see your regular doctor to rule out any physical illnesses that could be producing your symptoms (i.e., problems with your pituitary, thyroid or adrenal glands, etc.).  Next, if your doc doesn't find evidence of any physical causes, have him/her refer you to a psychologist or counselor for evaluation.  Jumping to conclusions and trying to diagnosis yourself is just asking for trouble especially if you're already depressed - you'll end up thinking you have every symptom of every horrible illness you hear or read about! :)  Go seek answers and help from competent professionals who have actually spent years of their lives learning about how to diagnose and treat illnesses.  That's what they went to school for - so the rest of the population can pick their brains and get answers when they need them without having to do all the studying themselves! :)
710052
Borderline Personality Disorder - best course of treatment - well, 2 things I recommend\n1. Individual counseling with a counsleor who is an LCSW, LCPC, or LMFT (these are license initials after their name) - they don't prescribe drugs - they offer real world solutions - ask them if they have experience with BPD. \n2. Group work with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy - best program currently existing for BPD. \nBPD involves long term treatment in most cases - be patient, even though it's not likely an attribute of yours. \nPeople who live with BPD generally have survived abusive experiences - get help for your underlying needs too!\nGood luck!
57053
Please see a psychologist immediately.  You may be suffering from Bi-polar disorder.
706930
Considering a majority of people (close to 75%) are diagnosed WRONG, the medical community is now learning that environment, drug and alcohol experimenting and hormones (if you were diagnosed before 20 years of age) are triggering bipolar symptoms. Just because you have symptoms, and not 100% honest with a therapist, doctors will diagnosis bipolar.\nIf you have a family history, you can learn the behavior from that person, but not necessarily inherit the gene. The medical community is doing more research on that. \nBipolar is one of the most misdiagnosed of mental disorders, but one of the most social acceptable. What ever you do or learn, YOU are responsible for your own thoughts and actions and don't let anybody else tell you otherwise. You are not alone, you aren't the only one who may think the way you do.\nI learned that through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and a 12 step program. 20 years lost to being mentally ill and all it was (for me) it that I was an alcoholic with puberty growing up in a "not so good" environment. I am now off all medication, dealing with life on life's terms and feeling better than I had ever imagined possible. 20 years of being told never, and today I have made it reality.\nDon't waste 20 years! Get into CBT with a therapist and be 100% honest with them about your thoughts and behaviors. If you are a true bipolar or not, this therapy will make a world of difference in your life.
4864
A personality disorder is identified \n\nby a pervasive pattern of experience and behavior that is abnormal with respect to any two of the following:\n\nthinking, mood, personal relations, \n\nand the control of impulses.\n\n \n\nThe character of a person is shown through his or her personality -- by the way an individual thinks, feels, and behaves.  When the behavior is inflexible, maladaptive, and antisocial, then that individual is diagnosed with a personality disorder. \n\n \n\nMost personality disorders begin as problems in personal development and character which peak during adolescence and then are defined as personality disorders. \n\n \n\nPersonality disorders are not illnesses in a strict sense as they do not disrupt emotional, intellectual, or perceptual functioning.  However, those with personality disorders suffer a life that is not positive, proactive, or fulfilling.  Not surprisingly, personality disorders are also  associated with failures to reach potential.\n\n \n\nThe DSM-IV-TR: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published by the American Psychiatric Association, defines a personality disorder as an enduring pattern of inner experience and behavior that deviates markedly from the expectation of the individual's culture, is pervasive and inflexible, has an onset in adolescence or early adulthood, is stable over time, and leads to distress or impairment.\n\n \n\nCurrently, there are 10 distinct personality disorders identified in the DSM-IV:\n\nAntisocial Personality Disorder:  Lack of regard for the moral or legal standards in the local culture, marked inability to get along with others or abide by societal rules.  Sometimes called psychopaths or sociopaths. \n\nAvoidant Personality Disorder:  Marked social inhibition, feelings of inadequacy, and extremely sensitive to criticism. \n\nBorderline Personality Disorder:  Lack of one's own identity, with rapid changes in mood, intense unstable interpersonal relationships, marked impulsively, instability in affect and in self image. \n\nDependent Personality Disorder:  Extreme need of other people, to a point where the person is unable to make any decisions or take an independent stand on his or her own. Fear of separation and submissive behavior. Marked lack of decisiveness and self-confidence. \n\nHistrionic Personality Disorder:  Exaggerated and often inappropriate displays of emotional reactions, approaching theatricality, in everyday behavior. Sudden and rapidly shifting emotion expressions. \n\nNarcissistic Personality Disorder:  Behavior or a fantasy of grandiosity, a lack of empathy, a need to be admired by others, an inability to see the viewpoints of others, and hypersensitive to the opinions of others. \n\nObsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder:  Characterized by perfectionism and inflexibility; preoccupation with uncontrollable patterns of thought and action. \n\nParanoid Personality Disorder:  Marked distrust of others, including the belief, without reason, that others are exploiting, harming, or trying to deceive him or her; lack of trust; belief of others' betrayal; belief in hidden meanings; unforgiving and grudge holding. \n\nSchizoid Personality Disorder:  Primarily characterized by a very limited range of emotion, both in expression of and experiencing; indifferent to social relationships. \n\nSchizotypal Personality Disorder:   Peculiarities of thinking, odd beliefs, and eccentricities of appearance,  behavior, interpersonal style, and thought (e.g., belief in psychic phenomena and having magical powers). \n\nAccording to Dr. Sam Vaknin, author of Malignant Self-Love: Narcissism Revisited, individuals with personality disorders have many things in common (see The Interrelationship Between Personality Disorders):\n\nSelf-centeredness that manifests itself through a me-first, self-preoccupied attitude \n\nLack of individual accountability that results in a victim mentality and blaming others, society and the univ
248502
I'm a clinical pyschologist and these sound like symptoms of bipolar! Being tested for this is the best way to tell if he has it. When a person is diagnosed for biopolar, there is really nothing one can do to help there negative moods! The best way is to get him tested! Good luck!!
1063160
Well, you're not going to like this at all... but this is what my psych book has to say on the matter of borderline personlaity disorders... I don't have an exact quote because I sold the book a few years back but... "Symptoms generally improve if the patient survives into their 30's"   I have BPD too... Good to know that we have a 20% suicide rate, more than double that of major depressive disorder... You may be an alcoholic on top of being borderline with substance problems... \n\nOn a better note, there is one form of therapy that has shown success in some borderline patients... yes, I said ONE, because all normal types of therapy have shown virtually 0 success... it's called dielectic behavioral therapy, find someone trained specifically in that treatment though, a lot of 'general' psychiatrists know about it but not enough to make it really beneficial... \n\nI tell you with sincere honesty, it is the only chance you have besides waiting it out and hope the symptoms improve into your 30's and 40's... drugs (you know, actual perscriptions) have virtually no success in the long term (more than 1 year) ...
1178474
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health says that more than two-thirds of people with bipolar disorder have at least one close relative with the illness or with clinical, or "unipolar," depression. Read more about the link between genetics and bipolar disorder.\n\nBipolar disorder runs in the family\nA person with close relatives who have bipolar disorder is more likely to be affected by the illness—this is what is known as a "genetic predisposition." Not everyone with the condition has relatives with bipolar disorder. But, according to the Child & Adolescent Bipolar Foundation, your chance of developing the illness greatly increases if you have a family history: \n\n\nParents—When one parent is bipolar, each child has a 15%-30% chance of developing the condition. When both parents have the illness, the risk jumps to between 50% and 75%.\n\n\nSiblings—If you have a brother or sister with bipolar disorder, you have a 15% to 25% chance of developing the illness.\n\n\nIt is important to stress that some people with the illness have no family history whatsoever.
562760
Bi-polar Disorder should not be used as an excuse for unrelated, bad behaviours/character flaws. It can be difficult for anyone to 'kick' an addiction, but it can be done.
28650
Jova: Borderline Personality Disorder results from problems with attachment in infancy, leaving children fearful of abandonment, with a lot of defenses against the pain of not getting what they want when they want it from the persons they want to provide it. The Masterson Clinic in New York is the leading authority in the country. They have therapists who study with them on best treatment practices.