NPD vs BPD vs Bipolar disorder?

Question

Ok, I know its hard to tell between NPD and BPD, so if you can't answer this part, its ok.

BUT can you be diagnosed with lets NPD and also have bipolar disorder?

The reason i say this is because I was recently diagnosed bipolar type 1, doc said its pretty severe. gave me loads of pills and stuff......

Well its seems like im in denial and I really don't want to be labeled bipolar, but a therapist also suggested im bipolar before I went to the pdoc. 4 years ago, when things weren't that serious, even then i saw a doctor, he didn't tell me what I had, but he was giving me bipolar medicine. i didn't stay with that doc long cuz of moving to college.

ANYWAYS, reading about Narcisstic Personality Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder, I seem to have a mix of both, and I don't think that's possible, but regardless its seems like I have either NPD or BPD, and im not sure if this can occur along with bipolar disorder.

Should I bring this up with the doc the next time i see him?

Could it be a possibility that I am just bipolar and that I exhibit NPD or BPD behavior that's also common with people with bipolar?

I remember once someone told me that bipolar and borderline personality disorder and not far apart, and that bipolar disorder is basically a severe case of BPD. Is that true?

Lets be honest, if I had BPD/NPD the doctor would have realized right?

The chances of the doctor saying "hey man, you don't have bipolar disorder, your just got NPD or BPD" is slim right?

Answer 1

NPD and Bipolar Disorder are 2 totally different things.  NPD is personality.  Bipolar is physical, a chemical imbalance.

You can have both.  Bipolar has nothing to do with personality disorders.  

Bipolar disorder is caused by an illness that causes mood swings.  Chemicals in the brain that cause  manic periods and depressed periods.  

Personality is who we really are.  It is formed by different experiences as we are children. examples of the causes of narcissistic personality are

Overindulgence and overvaluation by parents ,

Valued by parents as a means to regulate their own self-esteem ,

Excessive admiration that is never balanced with realistic feedback ,

Unpredictable or unreliable caregiving from parents ,

Severe emotional abuse in childhood ,

Being praised for perceived exceptional looks or talents by adults ,

"Excessive praise for good behaviors or excessive criticism for poor behaviors in childhood".

Personality disorders are pretty complex.  Sometimes they are not clear.  We can all look at the different personalities and find a portion of ourselves.  Sometimes bipolar disorder can cause problems with relationships, job performance, and thoughts. Maybe that is why you are looking into the Personality disorders.   In the manic phase sometimes people imagine themselves to be important, unique, or untouchable.  That fits the description of a narcissist, but it is  just a symptom of the manic phase.  It is temporary, because the person is sick.   If a person is like this all of the time, even when they are not sick, and it is truly their personality, then they have NPD.

Nobody wants to have any form of mental illness.  If you asked a room full of people if they would rather have cancer or bipolar disorder, most of them would say cancer.   It is because of old stigmas.  The thing is that we all know that cancer is really worse.  Bipolar disorder is a lot easier to treat than cancer.  Once given the right medication, you can be symptom free.  Never quit taking meds without your doctor's advice.  That is the biggest mistake people make.  Once they feel better, the stop the meds.  When the meds are what is making them better.  I have anxiety dissorder.  When it is really bad, it is hard to accept I have it.

Be sure to talk to your Dr about your NPD concerns.  That is what they are there for, is to help you with how you feel about things.  They are very capable of telling  if you have a personality dissorder.

thanks, I'm glad I could help, take care