The difference between BPD, Bipolar, and Anxiety?

[CowsAreCool]

I was wondering if anyone understands the difference between these disorders thoroughly? I'm not trying to self-diagnose. I'm just curious.

I have had problems with pretty intense mood swings for the last 2-3 years. I've managed to help the issue by quitting alcohol, getting a better sleep cycle, and other lifestyle changes, but it's still there.

I keep changing my mind about who I am and what I want to do. A few weeks ago, I decided I was miserable and bought a plane ticket out of state. I came very close to signing a rental contract and packing up everything to leave. Then I decided I was being crazy, and chose to stay where I am. I have commitments here. I either never want to leave this place, or I am deadset on leaving. I am either super social, or never want to talk to anyone ever again.

I am a college student, on my third attempt at school, and have changed my major 4 times to completely unrelated fields.

I go through periods of depression, anxiety, and anger, separated by either weeks, days, or hours. I broke up with my girlfriend impulsively last year, and went through a very depressive phase and was hospitalized. They said I had an "Adjustment disorder" triggered by a bad breakup. Seems reasonable.

I go through phases of eating way too much and way to little, excersizing everyday to not leaving my bed, and studying all day to neglecting school.

I have had anxiety since I was young, but I manage it either very well or very poorly.

I don't think I'm "Bipolar", as I've never had a "Manic Episode" or spent money too impulsively. I dont think I have "BPD" because I have voluntarily isolated myself from most my friends the last few years, as my mood swings were causing rifts in my relationships. I know I'm generally anxious, but so is everyone.

I might be completely normal. I don't know. I am deeply against SSRI's, so theres not much I can even do.

 

[Smart No More]

Isn't BPD (Bipolar disorder) the same as Bipolar?

The difference between bipolar and anxiety is pretty clear cut I believe. Anxiety is anxiousness around various factors which all essentially boil down to fear or a lack of security. Lots of triggers but same outcome. Anything that makes you feel wired and uncertain. It's usually disproportionate anxiousness that needs treatment as some anxiety is entirely natural and useful to human survival. Only when it's crippling should it be medicated but these days you only need to lose your lipstick to get a psych meds prescription or be diagnosed with anxiety. Molly coddled society.

Bipolar is more of a roller-coaster type deal. Up one min, down the next with extreme highs and lows. Unnaturally so with no logical cause. Similar to mania as you touched on. Quite different to anxiety but can be alongside it and/or cause it.

 

[Hollowman]

BPD is borderline personality disorder

 

[Smart No More]

BPD is borderline personality disorder

My mistake.

 

[Brianiskillingme]

I have Borderline Personality Disorder. For me there is a trigger, a trigger that makes me feel slighted, the possiblity of abandonment. I will feel scared inside, become silent and anxious. Then the feelings reach a state that I cant tolerate. I begin reckless driving, trying to get the attention of the person who hurt me. I will cry relentlessly until I am exhausted. As soon as the person makes things right, the sense of relief is amazing. Then slowly things will get back to normal for me until there is another trigger.

 

[chocolatebar]

BPD is classified as a personality disorder, while bipolar as a mental disorder. In a rough way to put it, bpd is part of what you are, while bipolar is something afflicting you. I don't think those definitions really matter for the one suffering from it, though.

As @Brianiskillingme said, someone with bpd can have sudden changes in behavior due to triggers, but bipolar (the most commons form, because there are other forms) is more related to time itself, like changing from 2 states over time, like a few weeks.

About anxiety, you may refer to the symptom or to the disorder. It's about having really fast thoughts and a series of physical symptoms following it.

 

[Foresight]

Yes. Borderline is a personality disorder, it can actually be decently receptive to therapy. There are subtypes, borderline is pretty complicated. I don't want to mess that one up so I won't cover it.

Bipolar is an almost uncontrollable force. I suppose it comes from chemical imbalances but I don't know the science. When you're manic you can have a range of experiences. I have bipolar and experiencing mania right now and it's racing thoughts, feeling like you're the center of the universe, psychosis, thinking you're going to be super successful with no rational basis, ramped up sex drive, impulsive behavior, insomnia, etc. The depression is deep and dark, and it's not circumstantial. That's why it feels like a force over you.

Anxiety is panicky feeling and consuming nervous thoughts.

I don't touch SSRIs either. SSRIs are actually bad for bipolar and can trigger mania. They have a more subdued type of disorder called cyclothymic disorder.

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

I have Borderline Personality Disorder. For me there is a trigger, a trigger that makes me feel slighted, the possiblity of abandonment. I will feel scared inside, become silent and anxious. Then the feelings reach a state that I cant tolerate. I begin reckless driving, trying to get the attention of the person who hurt me. I will cry relentlessly until I am exhausted. As soon as the person makes things right, the sense of relief is amazing. Then slowly things will get back to normal for me until there is another trigger.

It scares me that I identify so much with this. How do people get diagnosed with those disorders? I once did some tests online and said that the chances of having it were slim, but I don't know how feasible that is.

There's subtypes, borderline is pretty complicated

I would like to know more about this if you could explain.

 

[Heartaches]

I don't really have much to add since I'm not very knowledgeable at this, I've researched BPD and Bipolar Disorder from time to time because I feel I could have something outside of depression and anxiety, so I can only add about my experience with the latter.

As Choco said above me, anxiety can refer to a symptom or a disorder. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I'm not good at scientific descriptions so I'll speak about my personal experience, but keep in mind it can vary from person to person.

When I'm in a stressful situation, not matter the gravity, my thoughts tend to go towards the worst outcome, I begin doubting myself and my abilities, I remember things that hurt me in the past and generally feel hopeless, don't want to be around anyone. If the stress continues to grow, my mood can become very erratic, I shut down and become paranoic, sometimes to the point of breaking down and hurting myself.

That said, GAD can manifest in more moderate ways in daily life. Social situations can be very difficult to manage for me as I feel I'm adoing something wrong or people are laughing at me, it can be difficult to even say "hi" to people on the street. GAD can also happen when you forget something and start getting extremely nervous, or overthinking an event of the past and making the worst out of it. Small things can trigger extreme reactions that are difficult to control.

I relate to your experience in a way and I don't know it that means anything, but it's nice knowing I've not been the only one going through similar situations.

 

[chocolatebar]

It scares me that I identify so much with this. How do people get diagnosed with those disorders? I once did some tests online and said that the chances of having it were slim, but I don't know how feasible that is.

I would like to know more about this if you could explain.

you have to ask a psychologist for a psychological evaluation. It takes a few weeks and they will ask you so many things about your life until they can give you a conclusion. They usually ask to go to a doctor and confirm the result

I don't really have much to add since I'm not very knowledgeable at this, I've researched BPD and Bipolar Disorder from time to time because I feel I could have something outside of depression and anxiety, so I can only add about my experience with the latter.

As Choco said above me, anxiety can refer to a symptom or a disorder. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, I'm not good at scientific descriptions so I'll speak about my personal experience, but keep in mind it can vary from person to person.

When I'm in a stressful situation, not matter the gravity, my thoughts tend to go towards the worst outcome, I begin doubting myself and my abilities, I remember things that hurt me in the past and generally feel hopeless, don't want to be around anyone. If the stress continues to grow, my mood can become very erratic, I shut down and become paranoic, sometimes to the point of breaking down and hurting myself.

That said, GAD can manifest in more moderate ways in daily life. Social situations can be very difficult to manage for me as I feel I'm adoing something wrong or people are laughing at me, it can be difficult to even say "hi" to people on the street. GAD can also happen when you forget something and start getting extremely nervous, or overthinking an event of the past and making the worst out of it. Small things can trigger extreme reactions that are difficult to control.

I relate to your experience in a way and I don't know it that means anything, but it's nice knowing I've not been the only one going through similar situations.

you just called me choco? that makes me feel melted on the inside. Like... melted chocolate :D

 

[onlyanimalsaregood]

you have to ask a psychologist for a psychological evaluation. It takes a few weeks and they will ask you so many things about your life until they can give you a conclusion. They usually ask to go to a doctor and confirm the result

That seems to be too much work But probably one day I should do it. Thanks