Confused Schizophrenia as BPD

[SomebodyIUsed2No]

My loved one has not sought treatment or therapy for her struggles. Based on behavior I was experiencing my initial impression was very hallmark of BPD. After meeting with a therapist and explaining what we have been experiencing late onset schizophrenia was impression of symptoms.

Has anyone come to learn that they are dealing with multiple diagnoses aside from just BPD? Specifically Schizophrenia? Has anyone had success with getting their loved one to accept issues and seek therapy and treatment? Struggling with helping my loved one help them self. Appreciate any insights you can share.

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[Ravenous Reader]

Hi, SomebodyIUsed2No! I am new here myself and I'm learning tons from the resources. From what I've read so far, it seems to be pretty common for people with BPD to have other diagnoses as well--depression, anxiety, and/or  schizophrenia, among others.

I have not had success (yet!) with my partner receiving neither diagnosis nor treatment, but so far the best and most helpful advice I'm finding/hearing here is to work on myself first...exploring what I need and want and what I'm willing to endure/handle, how to set boundaries & communicate in healthier ways...

Hope this helps in some small way! 

[once removed]

can you tell us more about the therapists impression? what were the big tip-offs to schizophrenia?

does it add it up to you?

[SomebodyIUsed2No]

It does add up to schizophrenia for me more so now. Mostly because of delusions and breaks with reality. Episodes seem to be oscillating more regularly as well. My first inclination was BPD because of how I perceived I was being seen as all good or all bad but symptoms persisted along with feelings of persecution. I’ve recently started to focus more on my wellbeing but am heartbroken and feel frustrated that I haven’t been able to help my loved one get help or help her see the issue for what it is. Hopeful that with treatment and time conditions can and will improve but everyday seems to be a struggle.

[CC43]

Hi there,

I'm writing only from the perspective of someone who lived with a loved one with untreated BPD for a long time; I have no experience with schizophrenia.  However, I can attest that the pwBPD in my life did experience psychosis and delusions of persecution when she was under extreme stress.  She held a strong belief that certain people were "out to get her" or trying to hurt her, even if she couldn't explain why or how.  (I couldn't help but wonder if she harbored such intense feelings of rage and vengeance for people who supposedly wronged her, that she wanted to hurt them in retribution, but her BPD brain projected those feelings outwards, onto others, and they became the ones who were supposedly trying to hurt her instead?  I also wondered, maybe she felt such intense rage at herself, that her BPD brain was trying to protect her from committing self-harm by projecting harmful intentions onto other people?)  During these events, she seemed totally unhinged, like she was losing touch with reality, and she'd typically land in the hospital.  I understand that temporary psychosis is a feature of BPD, although if you read through this site, I'd say it's not the dominant feature of BPD, but relatively infrequent and situation specific, i.e. brought on by extreme stress.  I can also say that since the loved one in my life got extensive treatment for BPD, she has "stabilized" and not experienced delusions or psychosis again, as far as I'm aware.  Or maybe she does, but she doesn't "indulge" herself in those thought patterns anymore.