BPD & Bipolar 2?

[SarahBlue]

Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well.

I wanted to know if any of you have any advice on how to bring up the topic of possibly having Bipolar 2 alongside Borderline Personality Disorder.

I've been diagnosed BPD for about a year, with the symptoms showing since I was 14 (I'm now 22). I'm not disagreeing with this diagnosis, I fit the criteria perfectly. However I'm starting to think that I may have Bipolar 2 alongside my diagnosis of BPD. I have been tracking my moods etc, and have done a lot of research. I'm going to be seeing my psych tomorrow and would like to bring this up with him. However, how do I go about this without sounding like I'm trying to diagnose myself or undermined him? I find it really difficult to express myself verbally as clear as I would like.

It's stressing me out a lot, and I would be so for any advice!
Keep safe,
x

[Ballerina123]

What exatally about you mood tracking has made think you might be bipolar 2?

do you take any meds?

What treatment do you get for you bpd? Has it helped control you moods?

[SarahBlue]

My moods generally go a couple of weeks high, followed by a level BPD mood, then a very low depression for a couple of weeks back to level BPD. It repeats variously. But my moods are extremely out of control.

I'm currently on fluoxetine, and fluanxol, I've been on about 8 different antidepressants and each one hasn't made a difference. In fact it's probably made it worse.

For my BPD I go to a group, and have private counselling at the moment. It hasn't really helped me with my moods. x

[Ballerina123]

Because your on medication this could be the thing causing youR moods to be worse.
But also the fact that no meds have really helped could suggest that your are not bipolar.
Either way being on meds could make it hard for your psych to asses you.

When you say high do you mean you are in a good mood? What's your sleep like? What makes you think it is hypomania rather than just very good mood? What triggers it?

I'm only asking because it is what your psych will ask :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahBlue

My moods generally go a couple of weeks high, followed by a level BPD mood, then a very low depression for a couple of weeks back to level BPD. It repeats variously. But my moods are extremely out of control.

If I were you I would start with saying this ^

[SarahBlue]

I've been on the same meds for about a year though, and my moods have been the way they are for a long time. It's all very confusing.

When I'm in a high mood, it's like everything goes out the window. I'm all focused on myself, full of energy and all my ideas. My thoughts are all over the place and I find it hard to focus on one thing because I'm trying to achieve so much, moving from one thing to the next. I can't stop talking, and acting like a child. I don't really need that much sleep, I can have a few hours sleep and then wake up at 3 in the morning to paint my nails and I will stay awake doing things. I've been told I drive recklessly when I'm in this sort of mood, and I also have to have my money taken away from me as I go on shopping sprees buying things I don't need. Do you think it would be best to write the psych a letter with all my symptoms? I just don't know what to do at the moment! x

[Ballerina123]

I don't think you should write a letter because it could seem pushy. I know you want a diagnosis but my advice would be to be patient. If you start talking about symptoms that are similar to bipolar ones then your psych should acknowledge this but if he is any good at his job he will assess you mood more closely over a few months before diagnosing.

The bit I quoted is what think you should say he will then ask the questions he needs to. Start with that and see how it goes.


Gook luck

[SarahBlue]

Okay, that's a good idea. Thanks for your help. x

[Wellingtons]

I would raise the issue of meds with him. I have bipolar1 and find ADs make me out of control.

[SarahBlue]

Okay, thanks for your advice :) x

[sherlock holmes]

I was previously diagnosed with borderline. Since having a re-assessment i've been told I have bipolar disorder with traits of BPD. It's worth mentioning your concerns to your psychiatrist.