Bipolar vs Borderline Personality Disorder – How to tell the difference

Dr. Tracey Marks
22 Aug 201813:18
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Tracey Marks, a psychiatrist, discusses the differences between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, addressing a viewer's question. She explains that personality disorders are like a region's climate, while psychiatric illnesses like depression are more like temporary weather. Using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, she outlines the criteria for borderline personality disorder, emphasizing the need for five or more symptoms to be present. Dr. Marks highlights key differences, such as the duration and nature of mood swings and the presence of manipulative behavior. She also discusses treatment options, noting that while there can be overlap in medication use, the primary treatments differ: dialectical behavioral therapy for borderline personality disorder and medication management for bipolar disorder.

Takeaways
  • 😀 Dr. Tracey Marks, a psychiatrist, discusses the difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder in response to a viewer question.
  • 🌟 Personality disorders and psychiatric illnesses like depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are distinct; the former is like the climate, the latter like the weather.
  • 🌡 The analogy of climate and weather is used to explain how personality affects the manifestation of mental illnesses.
  • 📚 Borderline personality disorder is characterized by unstable relationships, self-image, and emotional expression, marked by impulsivity, and typically begins in early adulthood.
  • 🔢 For a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, at least five out of nine specific criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) must be met.
  • 👥 The criteria for borderline personality disorder include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, unstable relationships, identity disturbance, impulsivity, suicidal behavior, unstable mood, feelings of emptiness, intense anger, and transient stress-related symptoms.
  • 🔄 Borderline personality disorder is differentiated from bipolar disorder by the nature of mood swings, which are more frequent and shorter in duration in the former.
  • 💊 Treatment approaches for borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder differ; the former often involves dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), while the latter primarily relies on medication management.
  • 🤝 There can be an overlap in symptoms and treatments between the two disorders, and individuals can have both a personality disorder and a mood disorder.
  • 🧩 The complexity of these disorders requires nuanced understanding and professional clinical evaluation to determine the most appropriate treatment.
  • 📘 Dr. Marks encourages viewers to watch more videos on her channel for a deeper understanding of mental health topics, as they are presented in digestible segments.
Q & A

  • What is the primary focus of the video by Dr. Tracey Marks?

    -The primary focus of the video is to explain the difference between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, as well as how to distinguish between the two.

  • Why does Dr. Marks compare personality to the climate of a region?

    -Dr. Marks uses the analogy of climate to explain that personality is a person's 'hardwiring' and is more consistent, like the climate of a region, whereas mental illnesses like depression are more transient, like the weather.

  • According to the video, what is the key difference between mood swings in borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder?

    -The key difference is that in borderline personality disorder, mood swings can shift from hour to hour, while in bipolar disorder, the group of symptoms that make up an episode need to last at least two weeks for depression and one week for mania.

  • What is the definition of borderline personality disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)?

    -Borderline personality disorder is defined by a pattern of unstable relationships, self-image, and emotional expression marked by impulsivity, beginning in early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five or more of the listed characteristics.

  • What are some examples of impulsivity that could be associated with borderline personality disorder?

    -Examples of impulsivity in borderline personality disorder include reckless spending, reckless sexuality, drug abuse, or binge eating.

  • Why does Dr. Marks emphasize that having one or two symptoms from the list does not necessarily mean a person has borderline personality disorder?

    -Dr. Marks emphasizes this to clarify that a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder requires the presence of at least five of the nine listed characteristics, and it's about having a consistent pattern of behaviors, not just isolated incidents.

  • What is the primary treatment for borderline personality disorder according to the video?

    -The primary treatment for borderline personality disorder is a psychotherapy called dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which is usually a combination of group and individual sessions.

  • How does the treatment for bipolar disorder differ from that of borderline personality disorder?

    -The primary treatment for bipolar disorder is medication management, sometimes accompanied by cognitive behavioral therapy for depressive episodes, whereas DBT is the primary psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder.

  • Why might someone with borderline personality disorder be prescribed mood stabilizers?

    -A person with borderline personality disorder might be prescribed mood stabilizers to treat mood instability and intense anger that accompanies the disorder, even if they do not have a formal diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

  • What does Dr. Marks suggest for individuals trying to understand the nuances between different psychiatric disorders?

    -Dr. Marks suggests that the best approach is to break down the information into smaller pieces and gradually build understanding over time, using resources like her video playlists to help navigate through the complexities of various psychiatric issues.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 Introduction to Bipolar Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder

Dr. Tracey Marks introduces the topic of differentiating between bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, based on a viewer's question. She highlights the importance of understanding the distinctions and mentions that personality disorders are about one's inherent traits, while psychiatric illnesses are temporary states.

05:01
🌪️ Criteria for Borderline Personality Disorder

Dr. Marks explains the criteria for borderline personality disorder as outlined in the DSM-5. She details the patterns of unstable relationships, identity disturbances, impulsivity, suicidal behavior, mood instability, chronic emptiness, intense anger, and dissociative symptoms. She emphasizes that a diagnosis requires at least five of these traits.

10:04
⚖️ Differences Between Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder

The video further explores the differences between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Dr. Marks clarifies that while both can involve mood swings, the duration and nature of these mood changes differ. She explains that bipolar disorder involves episodic mood changes, whereas borderline personality disorder involves more frequent, short-term mood shifts.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bipolar Disorder
Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings that include emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). In the video, Dr. Tracey Marks explains that this disorder is part of the mood spectrum of psychiatric illnesses and differentiates it from borderline personality disorder by noting that its episodes last for a minimum of one week for mania and two weeks for depression, as opposed to the more rapid mood shifts seen in borderline personality disorder.
💡Borderline Personality Disorder
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a mental health condition defined by a pattern of unstable relationships, self-image, and emotional expression, along with impulsivity. In the video, Dr. Marks uses the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to outline the criteria for BPD, emphasizing that it requires at least five of nine specified characteristics to be diagnosed, and noting its distinction from bipolar disorder in terms of the duration and nature of mood swings.
💡Personality Disorders
Personality disorders are a class of mental disorders characterized by enduring and unhealthy patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner experience. Dr. Marks contrasts personality disorders with other psychiatric illnesses by likening personality to the climate of a region, which is a stable and enduring aspect, while psychiatric illnesses are more like temporary weather events that can disrupt this climate.
💡Depression
Depression, in the context of this video, refers to a component of bipolar disorder where individuals experience a low mood state. Dr. Marks clarifies that while depression is a part of bipolar disorder, it is not the sole defining feature and is distinct from the depressive symptoms that might arise in the context of a personality disorder.
💡Impulsivity
Impulsivity is a behavior characterized by acting on a whim without forethought or consideration of consequences. In the video, Dr. Marks mentions impulsivity as a key feature of borderline personality disorder, with examples including reckless spending, substance abuse, and binge eating. It is also a common symptom in bipolar disorder but is distinguished by the context and duration of the impulsive behavior.
💡Mood Swings
Mood swings refer to rapid changes in mood from high to low and vice versa. Dr. Marks discusses mood swings in both bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder, highlighting the difference in their nature and duration. In BPD, mood swings can shift from hour to hour, while in bipolar disorder, the episodes of mood swings are more prolonged and meet specific duration criteria.
💡Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that was specifically developed to treat borderline personality disorder. In the video, Dr. Marks explains that DBT is the primary treatment for BPD and involves a combination of group and individual sessions, focusing on teaching skills to manage emotions, reduce conflict, and improve relationships.
💡Mood Stabilizers
Mood stabilizers are a class of medications used to treat mood disorders by stabilizing extreme emotional fluctuations. Dr. Marks mentions that while mood stabilizers are typically used in the treatment of bipolar disorder, they can also be beneficial for individuals with borderline personality disorder who experience intense mood shifts or anger, but this does not necessarily indicate a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.
💡Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on identifying and changing thought patterns that lead to harmful actions or feelings. In the video, Dr. Marks notes that CBT can be effective in treating depressive episodes in bipolar disorder if they are mild to moderate.
💡Self-Harm
Self-harm refers to the act of intentionally causing physical harm to oneself, often as a coping mechanism for emotional pain. Dr. Marks discusses self-harm in the context of borderline personality disorder, explaining that it can be a response to internal distress or as a way to feel real, and differentiates it from self-harm that might occur in the context of depression due to personality traits rather than the depression itself.
💡Dissociation
Dissociation is a psychological experience where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. In the video, Dr. Marks describes dissociation as a coping mechanism that can occur in individuals with borderline personality disorder, especially in response to trauma, and differentiates it from the full-blown psychosis that can occur in other mental health conditions.
Highlights

Bipolar disorder versus borderline personality disorder - understanding the difference.

Depression is part of bipolar disorder, but the focus is on differentiating bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder.

Personality disorders are hardwired traits, whereas psychiatric illnesses like bipolar disorder are states at a time.

Analogy: Personality as the climate and disorders as the weather.

Borderline personality disorder involves unstable relationships, self-image, and emotions with impulsivity.

Criteria for borderline personality disorder include frantic efforts to avoid abandonment, unstable relationships, and identity disturbance.

Impulsivity in borderline personality disorder can manifest in reckless spending, drug abuse, or binge eating.

Recurrent suicidal behavior or self-mutilation is a key symptom of borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder involves unstable and reactive moods that last a few hours to a few days.

Chronic feelings of emptiness and intense anger are common in borderline personality disorder.

Borderline personality disorder can involve transient stress-related paranoia or severe dissociative symptoms.

Mood swings in borderline personality disorder differ from bipolar disorder, as they can shift hour to hour.

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of mood changes lasting at least two weeks for depression and one week for mania.

Treatment for borderline personality disorder primarily involves dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).

Bipolar disorder treatment focuses on medication management, especially for manic episodes.

Mood stabilizers can help with mood instability in borderline personality disorder, but this doesn't mean the person has bipolar disorder.

Understanding the nuances between borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder is crucial for proper treatment.

Borderline personality disorder behaviors are consistent but vary in intensity, while bipolar disorder is more episodic.

The best understanding of these disorders comes from chunking information and using resources like playlists for comprehensive learning.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Borderline Personality Disorder vs Bipolar Disorder – How to tell the difference

10 Common Mental Illnesses Crash Course

Psychiatrist Breaks Down Mental Health Scenes From Movies & TV | GQ

Personality Disorders: Crash Course Psychology #34

It's time to revisit Dissociative Identity Disorder

4 Types of Borderline Personality Disorder

Rate This

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Thanks for rating:

Related Tags
Mental HealthPsychiatryBipolar DisorderBorderline PersonalityPersonality DisordersMood SwingsSelf-HarmImpulsivityPsychotherapyMood Stabilizers