Borderline vs. bipolar disorders

Question

What are the characteristics of borderline/bipolar disorders? How are they similar what makes them different... I've been to two different psychiatrists - one suggested that i may be borderline - one said bipolar.

I've been doing a bunch of research on the net but i was hoping for some people with these disorders or for people who know people with these disorders to give me some personal perspectives...

Thanks.

Answer 1

Borderline would be if :

1)you feel intense extremes of emotions for a person - like you feel you hate someone but you love them

2) you are very idealistic but go through the same extremes of being either totally "bad" or totally "good"

there is just black and white in your perspective, you are unable to see things and people in shades of "grey"

3) you are prone to excessive eating, boozing, etc

Bipolar would be if :

1) you tend to have Abnormally high levels of energy

2) you have extreme mood swings

3) you have wildly unrealistic aims like (example) becoming a millionaire

i guess both disorders may have the person psychotic at times - i.e. cut off from reality and more prone to depression than an average person

its difficult to totally categorize a disorder- you may have a combination of traits of different disorders.

Hope i helped.

Dont worry about it too much. With some effort you can overcome your problems.