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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by girlwiththecurl on August 6, 2007, at 22:39:55
What's the difference?
I really feel that I am suffering from, or should I say, my family, friends, co-workers etc. have suffered from my Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). My doctor thinks that I have Bipolar Disorder(BD). One of the factors in diagnosing BPD is clearly not in my being- I am not promiscuous nor do I abuse/use drugs/alcohol. However, I do have a problem with binge eating- NO PURGING, NO BULEMIA, NO ANOREXIA! Since teen years I've had my weight fluxate between 30-50 lbs- lovely!
Is treatment different for BPD vs. BD? Are there medications that work better for one disorder than the other? I've read a little about dialectical therapy, which was specifically designed for people who suffer from BPD and have been in cognitive therapy before, but is there anything else I should know? What should I tell my psychiatrist?
Posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2007, at 22:57:42
In reply to Borderline Personality Disorder v Bipolar Disorder, posted by girlwiththecurl on August 6, 2007, at 22:39:55
I hate to keep saying have you googled BPD. But you will get a good idea of what it is. Love Phillipa
Posted by girlwiththecurl on August 6, 2007, at 23:07:08
In reply to Re: Borderline Personality Disorder v Bipolar Disorder » girlwiththecurl, posted by Phillipa on August 6, 2007, at 22:57:42
Yes, I've googled it- that's why I was able to say that I don't have the promiscuity or dug/alcohol abuse conditons. It's just frustrating because I want to get the right help, it's been more than 20 years that I've suffered with it and am sick of the wrong meds/therapy, hurting the ones I love and risking losing my family.
Posted by Racer on August 6, 2007, at 23:33:19
In reply to Re: Borderline Personality Disorder v Bipolar Disorder, posted by girlwiththecurl on August 6, 2007, at 23:07:08
Let's see...
The difference between BPD and BP can be kinda subtle... The promiscuity, substance abuse, etc, stems from the impulse control problems characteristic of BPD, but impulse control can also be an issue with BP -- there's a lot of overlap. What symptoms specifically are leading you to BPD over BP? (Or tell me to get my beak out of it...)
If I were going to make any suggestions regarding the differential, I would probably say sleep -- BP often comes along with the ability to go along with a lot less sleep.
As for treatment, other than DBT, there are a fair number of medications that are said to be very helpful for BPD. The basic idea is to help with specific symptoms, so there's no easy "Oh, it's BPD, so let's give an anti-BPD" sort of path. Some medications used are atypical anti-psychotics, to reduce emotional distress and disregulation, as well as helping improve impulse control; anti-depressants, to improve depressive symptoms; some of the mood stabilizers, again to help reduce mood swings; and so on. Which would be most helpful for you would really depend on your specific symptoms.
I really hope that's helpful to you.
This is the end of the thread.
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