SUN Behavioral Houston Compares BPD vs Bipolar Disorder

SUN Behavioral Houston has recently released a blog post that compares borderline personality disorder (BPD) versus bipolar disorder (BD.) Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are two different mental health conditions characterized by impulsive behavior, complex relationships, and significant mood swings. There are many differences and similarities between BPD and bipolar disorder, which are discussed in the press release. Both conditions are life-long, but they can both respond to treatment. Counseling provides a way to work on coping skills and thought processes. And some medications can be used to treat bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder. Regardless, counseling is regarded as the proper approach. They are ready to help those who believe they could benefit from bipolar disorder treatment.

The diagnosis of BPD requires a pattern of instability in personal relationships, impulsiveness, self-image, and mood. An individual with BPD may show five or more of the following symptoms: fear of abandonment, personal relationships usually characterized by extremes like love and hate, an unstable sense of self-image, intense mood swings that only last a few hours or a few days, constantly feeling empty, inappropriate displays of anger, and dissociation or paranoid tendencies.

People with BPD can be irrational and will show many symptoms, including but not limited to: paranoid thoughts, negative self-talk, changes in self-image or values, sabotaging success, suicidal threats or self-injury, and mood swings that last between a few hours to a few days.

Meanwhile, people with bipolar disorder typically have moods that shift from mania with high energy to mental depression and low energy states. Symptoms of bipolar disorder during the manic episode include rapid speech, euphoria, being easily distracted, feeling unstoppable, decreased appetite; feeling wired; grandiosity; racing thoughts; problems with problem-solving or rational thinking; reduced need for sleep; risky behaviors including unprotected sex, drug use, impulsive spending, and gambling; and psychosis.

Symptoms of bipolar disorder during the depression state include feeling hopeless, lack of motivation, exaggerated negative thoughts and beliefs, changes in weight, difficulty concentrating; memory issues, feeling slowed down, and being unable to finish projects.

There are several differences between BPD and bipolar disorder. One is the mood swing duration. For BPD, there is rapid cycling between mania and depression, which could happen many times a day. With BD, episodes of mania or depression could last for months or even more. Also with BPD, there is more likelihood of self-harm, such as cutting themselves to release mental pain. People with BPD have more severe problems with relationships compared to those with BD. BP may be due to more hereditary factors compared to BPD. And with BD, mood can stabilize in between episodes but with BPD, both stress and people can affect mood.

Started in 2015, SUN Behavioral Houston collaborates closely with communities to provide behavioral health services and offer solutions for the needs of patients. They are focused on offering respectful and compassionate care with their psychiatric services to help save lives and boost the quality of life of patients and their families. To make sure that continuous care is provided to meet the specific needs of patients, they work closely with doctors, behavioral health service providers, hospitals, and even the local community organizations and schools.

People who would like to learn more about the services provided by SUN Behavioral Houston can visit their website, or contact them on the telephone or through email. They can be contacted 24 hours a day, from Sunday to Saturday.