Hello, I have BPD and Bi-Polar, looking to find people like me for support
Hello everyone,
I was diagnosed with BPD about 2 years ago but I figure I have had it all my life and just did not know what it was. To add insult to injury (as if BPD is not enough to bear) I apparently also have Bi-Polar disorder (I found that out last night from the doctor). My life is a mess and I'm looking for people like me who have gone though this or are going though this for support and answers. I'm on the verge of losing my marriage over these miserable conditions. Thanks for reading :)
Hey there @RedLake5837, I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling and you're marriage isn't looking too good because of these circumstances. Although I do not have Bi-polar disorder I have a lot of hands on knowledge about it and looked after a member of my family for a few years when they were at their lowest. If you'd like to connect and chat with me in the future I would be more than happy to do that.
My thoughts are with you 
Love, Constant
Welcome. I hope you find some relatable stories and support here. BPD rarely travels alone, so I am not too terribly surprised to hear this. I was recently diagnosed with bi-polar disorder but also meet all nine criteria for BPD, as well as a few others. I will know more after my evaluation on the 31st. The good news is these conditions are treated differently so you can combat this with both medication and therapy. With a lot of hard work, the prognosis has potential, even though I'm sure you don't feel that way. Please revisit us as often as you like. I'd love to hear more about what's going to happen in your life next.
Which symptoms are impacting your marriage the most?
@blitheSun94
Thank you so much Blithe! Your right, BPD seems to like companions. Its gonna take a lot of hard work.
I'm still trying to isolate out what symptoms belong to what condition...
I can be very self absorbed... me me me... not sure if its BPD or the Bi-Polar
I fear abandonment and when she makes threats to leave, I freak.. then the Bi-Polar kicks in and I become another person.
The black and white thinking and fortune telling is all BPD and it affects us badly. Plus the ability to not let go of the past. I should have some more answers my self right around the same time you do. I would love to hear how your evaluation goes. I love hearing from people like me because it gives me hope that I'm not alone. Stay in touch ok? If you want to swap stories, feel free to hit me up. The very best of luck to you!
@redLake5837
Of course you're not alone.
Talk soon.
*BUMP*
Is there anyone else here who has been diagnosed with both bipolar and borderline personality?
It is said one is chemical and one is behavioral, however, I do see a great deal of overlap in these conditions. You can read more about that HERE. However, I will argue that brain images in individuals with Borderline Personality do in fact demonstrate physical and structural changes when compared to those with otherwise healthy brains. These conditions are treated differently and I do personally believe BPD to be a bit more volatile due to the fact that there are just more variables.
So, what is it like to live with both? How can we tell the difference? What other secondary diagnoses are most likely present with BPD?
I will be sharing more on my personal story soon. I really encourage you all to keep this topic moving in the meantime.
@blitheSun94 I am bipolar with GAD, autism and ADHD and strongly suspect everything but autism probably is all in fact BPD. I'm not self diagnosing, I plan to talk to my doctors about it, but I fit it so incredibly well. My moods are insanely volatile even more than bipolar and so tied to how ppl I care about feel about me at the moment. Look at me disapprovingly or fail to communicate for a few days and I lose my mind, stop eating, can't get out of bed but can't sleep,, cry non-stop and feel like I'm not even really alive. My friends know to tell me if they are going away or are sick so I don't freak out.
@paidir
Thank you so much for sharing. I think it's important to know there are often comorbid diagnoses and that we are not alone. I think it is also important to emphasize symptom based treatment and labels less so.
How do we then define recovery or some semblance of functioning?
@blitheSun94 I guess I see labels in a relatively pragmatic sense of they are containers for sets of symptoms or issues, like a shorthand. Everyone's anxiety is different for example, but we all understand the core of what it is, so in that sense labels help us communicate.
I also see them again rather practically as guidelines for what I need to learn about and how I might go about getting help. What I need and need to do to make progress in overcoming or managing whatever it is.
@blitheSun94 as far as recovery and functional state, do you mean in general, or bpd and or bp in particular?
Recovery is harder to define for me, functional is pretty much that... getting enough things sorted out however they can be such that you are able to live your life with minimal intrusion from symptoms
@paidir
You have such a wonderful voice! Diagnosis is something I was insecure about for a long time because I never felt like I fit into these "boxes". However, our intrusive thoughts can lie to us, and I think it's important to remember that mental health is almost a spectrum disorder as a whole. No two cases are exactly the same. This is the reason we release new diagnostic manuals every year. That is, our professionals are learning right along side us.
In terms of functioning, yes, I was curious about what level of independence is considered victorious in your life. I'm curious because even the small things can be oh so difficult sometimes. I think you described it nicely here. 
I look onto the posts here with such happiness and am quickly reminded that human beings are capable of immense greatness. Such beautiful responses to such pain and sadness. I awake each new day with a gift of life and opportunity. The life I have created for myself and my family came from one word, choice. Each new day that arrives I have a choice. I have a choice to become sucked into the morbid depression and the excessive thoughts of suicide. When the darkness comes I make a choice to stay in the light and to keep speaking with confidence and purpose. So when you wake up each new day I want you to try something. Upon waking up, drink 8 ounces of water immediately. Start this routine using a calendar or notepad on your cell. Good luck! -Robert-
Stay positive. 
Thank you all for demonstrating such kindness and grace. Keep up the great work!
@Recovering2016 Hey , I am also a BPD , please feel frree to message me :)
