Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder

Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder compared
  Sometimes an individual displays behavior symptomatic of both bipolar and borderline personality disorder. Whilst there are certain parallels there are also areas of difference.
 
  Mood shifts between mania and depression are common to both but behavior during those episodes differ according to the condition. With bipolar disorder during depression the individual is prone to self criticism, feelings of guilt , low self esteem, and deriving pleasure from enjoyable experiences is often not possible. They are generally negative about themselves and pessimistic.

   By contrast the often invented self assessment with borderline personality is not compromised during mood cycling. The ability to function normally remains intact.

  With bipolar reckless destructive behavior tends to occur during mania. Manic episodes are the danger zones for behavior such as reckless driving, drug and alcohol abuse, compulsive spending, sexual activity etc. Where borderline personality co-exists this type of behavior is not confined to the manic phase. Mania also does not effect social and occupational performance unlike bipolar.

  The delusional aspects of mania are common to both as is the unease etc that can be caused in social environments. With bipolar those close to the individual can easily identify such behavior and whilst it might hamper harmonious socializing and have an intimidating effect on those caught unawares it is not harmful. With borderline personality disorder there is more of an underlying purpose associated like goal driven manipulation without obvious loss of control.