BPD vs Bipolar Disorder: What’s the Difference?

BPD and Bipolar Disorder: Definitions

Both Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) can present in unstable, rapidly shifting moods, difficulty with interpersonal relationships, and very “high highs” and “low lows”. However, there are more differences than not between these two disorders, especially in what causes them and how they are treated. 

First, let’s take a look at the basic definitions and symptoms of each disorder. 

Borderline Personality Disorder

BPD is a Cluster B personality disorder. Personality Disorders are lifelong patterns of behavior and inner experiences that are distressing and debilitating to the individual and/or people around them. While there is no cure for BPD, treatment like therapy and medication can reduce the severity of symptoms and make living with BPD manageable. Many people also experience a natural decline in the severity of symptoms as they grow older. 

What Causes BPD?

Borderline is thought to have both a genetic and an environmental cause. People without the right brain chemistry and genetics will likely never develop BPD, but without an environmental push—usually childhood trauma—BPD is likely to never occur. 

Symptoms of BPD

Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder include: 

1. Fear of abandonment: Individuals with BPD may experience intense fears of being abandoned or rejected, often leading to frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.
2. Unstable relationships: They might engage in tumultuous relationships characterized by alternating extremes of idealization and devaluation.
3. Identity disturbance: People with BPD might struggle with an unstable self-image or sense of self, accompanied by sudden shifts in values, career plans, and goals.
4. Impulsivity: This can manifest through reckless behaviors such as substance abuse, binge eating, or risky sexual activities.
5. Emotional instability: BPD can lead to intense and rapidly changing emotions, including anger, anxiety, and depression, which can be triggered by minor incidents.

This is not a conclusive list, for more information on Borderline, read our article on the Cluster B personality disorders here. 

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar Disorder is a mood disorder, which puts it in the same category as Major Depressive Disorder or Generalized Anxiety Disorder. It is a disorder that primarily affects the mood. Bipolar is also a life-long disorder that can be managed through therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. 

What Causes Bipolar?

Bipolar Disorder is a hereditary disorder, meaning it is passed down through genes. If you have a close relative (like a father or a sister) with Bipolar, you are more likely to have it yourself. There is an environmental factor—Bipolar is likely to come about during periods of high stress—but it is less impactful than the environmental factor of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

There are two types of Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar 1 and Bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 includes major depressive episodes and manic episodes. Bipolar 2 is less severe, with cycles of depression symptoms and hypomania. 

The symptoms of a manic episode and depressive episode are: 

Manic Episodes:

• Elevated Mood: During a manic episode, individuals may experience an intense euphoria or an irritable mood that is markedly different from their usual state.
• Increased Energy: They might exhibit high energy levels, feel restless, and engage in excessive physical activity.
• Racing Thoughts and Speech: Thoughts may race, making it difficult to concentrate, and speech may become rapid and difficult to interrupt.
• Impulsive Behavior: This could manifest as excessive spending, risky sexual behavior, or substance abuse.

Depressive Episodes:

• Sadness and Despair: Individuals may feel persistently sad, hopeless, or empty, affecting their overall outlook on life.
• Fatigue and Loss of Energy: A lack of energy and persistent tiredness can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming.
• Changes in Sleep and Appetite: Disruptions in sleep patterns and appetite, leading to either insomnia or oversleeping, as well as overeating or loss of appetite.
• Thoughts of Death or Suicide: Some may experience recurring thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide.

BPD vs Bipolar Disorder: Similarities

Now that we understand the definitions of both Bipolar and BPD, we can look at the similarities and differences. 

Similarities of BPD and Bipolar include:

• Strong genetic causes
• Rapidly changing mood
• Impulsivity
• Difficulty with interpersonal relationships
• Risky behaviors
• Anger outbursts
• Increased risk for self-harm and suicide

BPD vs Bipolar Disorder: Differences

Despite these similarities, BPD and Bipolar have notable differences:

• Bipolar mood swings often take days or even weeks, whereas BPD mood swings can happen in the space of minutes.
• BPD is a personality disorder, whereas Bipolar is a mood disorder.
• BPD has themes of fear of abandonment and is likely caused by trauma, whereas Bipolar Disorder is primarily caused by chemical imbalances and usually does not have those fears (unless manic episodes include delusions and paranoia).
• Bipolar is more likely to include physical symptoms like insomnia and changes in eating behaviors. 
• BPD’s mood swings are more likely to be triggered by interpersonal conflicts, whereas Bipolar is more likely to have internal triggers. 

In general, BPD’s symptoms are more closely tied to their relationships and how they feel about their relationships. Bipolar Disorder is more of an internal disorder in that the manic and depressive episodes are more likely to be triggered internally by chemical imbalances. Also, BPD’s mood swings can (and often do) occur very quickly, cycling through many emotions within a few minutes. Bipolar disorder presents more distinct phases—a manic and a depressive phase that can last from days to weeks at a time. 

Can I Have Both BPD and Bipolar?

Yes; studies have shown that around 20% of people with Bipolar 1 and 10% of people with Bipolar 2 also have Borderline Personality Disorder. So, while it is relatively rare, it is possible. 

If you think you have either one of these disorders, talking to a therapist is vital. These disorders are long-lasting and require a combination of medication and talk therapy to effectively manage. A proper diagnosis is the first step to getting treatment. Talk to a Lifebulb therapist or psychiatrist today. 

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