Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and bipolar disorder are both mental health conditions that affect mood and behaviour. They can look similar because both involve mood changes and impulsive actions.
However, they are different conditions with different causes, patterns, and treatments.
How do moods change?
People with BPD often have intense emotions that can change very quickly, sometimes within hours or even minutes. These mood changes are often triggered by events, like arguments or feeling rejected.
Bipolar disorder involves longer mood episodes. These can last days, weeks, or months. People with bipolar disorder usually have periods of mania (very high energy or irritability) and depression (low mood, tiredness, or hopelessness), with more stable periods in between.
What causes BPD and bipolar disorder?
BPD usually develops from a mix of factors, including family history, brain differences and difficult childhood experiences, like trauma or unstable environments.
Bipolar disorder is mostly linked to brain chemistry and genetics. Life experiences can affect bipolar disorder, but early trauma is not as central as it is for BPD.
How do relationships and self-image differ?
People with BPD often struggle with relationships and sense of self. They may fear being abandoned, have very intense relationships or feel unsure about who they are.
Bipolar disorder does not usually cause these problems. Mood episodes may affect behaviour, but identity and relationships are not usually affected in the same way.
How are they treated?
BPD is best treated with talking therapies, especially dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), which helps manage emotions and build better relationships.
Bipolar disorder often needs a combination of medication, like mood stabilisers or antipsychotics, and therapy to manage mood changes and prevent relapses.
Summary: What’s the difference between BPD and bipolar disorder?
Both BPD and bipolar disorder involve mood changes, but in different ways.
BPD causes rapid shifts linked to relationships and identity, while bipolar disorder involves longer mood episodes caused by biological factors.
Understanding the differences can help people get the right diagnosis and treatment.