bipolar and BPD

[SlyQQ]

Interest in any feedback on this it has become apparent that my teenage girl 17 an a half now has both BPD an bi polar1 It is very hard to discern weather the bipolar is rapid cycling or overidden by the BPD best medications and a host of other problems can anyone help?

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[pessim-optimist]

It must be difficult to battle these two together... .

This link might be helpful:

https://bpdfamily.com/message_board/index.php?topic=162165.0

[nzmum]

Hi - please can I ask you both if it 'helps' having an actual diagnosis.  We are still being told that no diagnosis will be made until DD17 is several years older.  So whilst we are told she is depressed (manically), has an eating disorder and displays 8 out of 9 of the BPD traits, since being with the mental health team here (Aug 27th) we are genuinely no further forward.  DD's behaviors have escalated - 'because the 'help' is not helping' she just wants out (you know what I mean).

Should we be 'pushing' for an actual diagnosis do you think?

Thanks

nzmum

[tinkerbellsmom]

I had the same problem with a mentally ill teen, they don't want to diagnose exactly. They will use language like that, but they don't want to put a label on someone so young.  So my daughter, the instant she turned 18 and I no longer had any say over her treatment, she discontinued.  I would say that she is also bipolar and BPD.

[MammaMia]

tinkerbellsmom

It is hard to get a definite diagnosis of BPD.  However, children younger than 18 have been diagnosed according to posts on this board.  You may want to consider getting another opinion or even multiple opinions.

Yes, it is very frustrating and downright frightening when children wpbd turn 18.  Legally, parental intervention becomes very, very difficult. Why does the law believe a mentally ill 18 year old suddenly becomes responsible enough to manage their disorder?  It is absurd.

Many of us have been exactly where you are, and can tell you, after 18, everything becomes much more complex. I wish you good luck.

. 

[SlyQQ]

Was admitted ( finally ) to hospital manisc with abandoment "issues no official diagnosis though has been in mental health services bulimia suicude self harm etc released after three weeks when calmed down from EXTREME mania readmitted again shortly thereafter even though on dual antisychotics trigered by abandomeny issues again suicide attempt while in hospital pretty sure it is what it is all 9 criteria "

[SlyQQ]

Also was comitted involuntarily will probably be easier to place her back in hospital i hope if needs be after she is 18

[pessim-optimist]

Is she stabilized and safe now, still in the hospital?

Sometimes there is no official diagnosis, but as long as the treatment targets the problem, it's a win-win... .

[SlyQQ]

Out of hospital much better ( with bi polar ) an also in genaeral cutting meds though ready to jump back on with deteroation just re young people with BPD they have not been able to adopt a lot of BPD strategies that devlop over time hiding there condition cheating lying destroying partners hard drug habits though promiscuity an soft drug use is almostmandatory this may be some of reason for delays in diagnosis

[pessim-optimist]

You are right, and there are lots of behaviors that are hard to distinguish from typical teenage acting out.

There is a great video on BPD detection in adolescence by a teen BPD specialist Blaise Aguirre, MD.

If you haven't already seen it, here is the link for it it helped me understand this topic much better:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4KjxxPp3Ls&feature=player_detailpage

[BamBams_Dad]

I can understand your concerns between these two. Its my understanding that bi-polar and BPD commonly get diagnosed the same way. However it is also my understanding that bi-polar cycles are typically longer than those with BPD. BP 1 cycle through moods in days. BP2 cycle through moods in weeks. BPD can cycle in minutes to hours. I watched my daughter go through cycles very quickly. One incident while she was hospitalized was tracked where she flipped in 30 minutes twice. She was fine, then outwardly hostile and angry, not willing to calm down. When a new person entered the scene and isolated her she flipped back to happy go lucky, nothing wrong, and didn't see how she was acting was a problem.

She realized several days later that how she acted was strange when we confronted her with it, and she wanted to know why she acted that way.

Our objective is to better understand the struggles our child faces and to learn the skills to improve our relationship and provide a supportive environment and also improve on our own emotional responses, attitudes and effectiveness as a family leaders

[SlyQQ]

watched the video was nice to see someone with at at least a good superficial understanding of BPD ( you never really understand Bpd ( they lie to much ) from the outside until someone has smashed your heart so badly you know you will never recover) bottom line the empty sound of despair in there voice when they think they have been abandoned is the real tell tale of BPD

[SlyQQ]

i forgot to add and forgiven them to that post

[spemat]

I have classic bipolar I disorder and ADHD and I had my first manic episode at age 5 and it lasted for months so I have to ask at what age did she start having these issues?  Adolescence in bipolar disorder is not a fun time.  I lived through it, spent two years manic and a bully.  My issue is very obvious but if she is changing energy levels, then it is probably bipolar disorder and if it just the emotional time bomb, it could be the other.  I have that hyperactivity vs. hypomania issue because I take an amphetamine and mood stabilizers and need to assess which one to increase when I have hyper states because my ADHD fluctuates too.