How do I differentiate BPD from Bipolar disorder?
I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder a month ago and I am currently taking a medication. However, it feels like things are not getting any better. I easily get triggers which could alter my mood so fast. I get anxious, irritable, angry and depressed all at once that it starts to affect my relationship with other people. I was advised by a friend who happens to be a doctor that what I have could possibly be BPD and not Bipolar. I checked all the criteria the DSM-V provided and I met 8 out of the 9 criteria. I opened this up with my psychiatrist but she said that what I have is not BPD. I researched from different sources and read several books and even stories by people who had the diagnosis and most of what they experienced, I also experienced. I am getting more confused now because I don
The main difference between the two is that Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder while Borderline Personality Disorder is a personality disorder.
Bipolar disorder is characterized by polars of the mood spectrum, depressions and mania over a span of months or weeks. Mania includes symptoms such as increased energy, extreme agitation, obsession, impulsiveness, and unrealistic ideas. Depression is characterized by difficulty sleeing, hopelessness, excessive worry, extreme fatigue, and isolation.
BPD is different. It's mostly characterized by mood swings, fear of abandnment, self harming, inappropriate outbursts, extreme anxiety, impulsiveness, unstable relationships, mood swings, and feeling empty.
I would tell my psychiatrist that this is a serious concern of mine and that I seem to align more with BPD than Bipolar. I'd make myself be heard. What you do, however, is up to you, and I can't give you advice.
I will say two things, though, that could be in support of either side (you having or not having it).
1. Medication takes a while to work. Don't expect immediate results, especially with mental conditions.
2. BPD and Bipolar actually are usually dual diagnosises, as Anxiety and Depression are. If you have one, you may very well have the other. I'd seek counseling if I had any of these, whether they be in a pair or not.
Good luck! I hope you get better.
@leahlotslove
This is an amazing response to the query! I for one think you did a great job in breaking it all down and I think this would be great reading material for any listener here on 7 cups in an effort for them to help members! 
@leahlotslove Thank you very much for that information.
@chwdrfc In DSM-5 there are more than nine criteria for BPD. There are up to seven criteria (depending on how you count them) before you even get to the nine numbered ones, making up to 16 criteria in all.
It does say that it's possible to have both BPD and bipolar at the same time, but it warns against diagnosing BPD "without having documented that the pattern of behavior had an early onset and a long-standing course."
I notice that you have written that you "get anxious, irritable, angry and depressed all at once that it starts to affect my relationship with other people." So you seem to be saying that your mood changes because of a trigger, and then your mood affects relationships. But, although I'm not an expert, my understanding of BPD is that it's the other way around—relationships affect your mood.
I agree with you however, that if the medication is not working to stabilize your mood then it does seem reasonable to question the diagnosis. Maybe your psychiatrist will want to try different medications.
If you did seek therapy at this stage, I don't think it would interfere with your treatment, especially if you can find an experienced and skilled therapist. I think it's possible your psychiatrist might go along with the idea of having some therapy at the same time as trying to get the medication right.
If you'd ever like to chat about your situation, feel free to click on my profile picture and message me.
Charlie
