Misdiagnosed with Bipolar: Seeking Insight on BPD

I have both and find it very difficult to know what is causing what reaction...

exactly!!!! i got diagnosed so quick but. i think my "manic episodes" are reactionary

if you have high and low moods throughout the day, based on events that occur throughout the day, then it's more likely to be BPD than bipolar, but there is an interesting diagnosis for bipolar with what is called ultradian cycling, which is when you experience both mania and depression every day or every other day. Kind of like perpetually being in a mixed state. It's really rare to find a case of actual bipolar with ultradian cycling because it is both already rare on its own and doctors would most likely misdiagnose BPD for people who have it. The main difference is whether or not the mood swings are caused by external circumstances such as arguments, fights, loss, success, etc. or have neurological roots that cause the mood swings regardless of external conditions.

The DSM 5 is free online for download. Gives u all u need

i have both so its possible an it sucks

This happened to me too. Bipolar is having highs and lows for longer periods of time. BPD is switching from highs to lows very quickly. It can be multiple times a day

Bipolar disorder is episodic bpd is not. Bipolar is a mood disorder, bpd is not. People with bpd their moods can shift very quickly and dramatically. People with bpd usually have a fear of abandonment and very turbulent relationships. There is a lot of black and white thinking in bpd. Maybe discuss with your psychiatrist about why they think you have bipolar and maybe explain why you feel you might have bpd instead. I’m pretty sure with bpd you have to have 5-7 of the 9 symptoms so people can have symptoms of bpd and not be diagnosed with it. You could also have both bipolar and bpd. Sorry for the long comment.

I think one of the most defining characteristics of bipolar disorder is the presence of at least one manic episode, with or without psychosis. Not to say you can't have both.