Dr. Tracey Marks, a psychiatrist, addresses whether bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) can co-occur, confirming that they can, a combination sometimes unofficially termed "borderpolar." She explains that while BPD involves rapidly shifting moods lasting hours to a day, bipolar disorder features longer episodes of mania or depression. Research indicates that 20% of individuals with one disorder also have the other, leading to more severe illness, earlier onset, increased suicidality, aggression, substance misuse, and other co-occurring diagnoses. Dr. Marks highlights that "borderpolar" individuals experience persistent distress and relationship issues even outside of mood episodes, which can complicate diagnosis and lead to over-medication. She emphasizes that treatment for bipolar disorder primarily involves medication and therapy, while BPD treatment focuses on therapy, particularly dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), with medication as a secondary option for co-occurring conditions. Therefore, individuals with both disorders require a combination of medication and intensive therapy like DBT for effective management.
Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.
Continue
