Can BPD be misdiagnosed as depression?

Depression, specifically major depressive disorder, is comorbid in 41 to 83 percent of those with BPD. Those with BPD often are misdiagnosed with depression, while BPD goes undetected until much later. BPD is often confused as an affective disorder (depressive or bipolar), but proof is in the treatment.
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Can BPD be confused with depression?

There is a very high rate of comorbidity between borderline personality disorder (BPD) and depression. 1 This means many people who have BPD also experience problems with depressed mood. One study found that about 96% of patients with BPD met criteria for a mood disorder.
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What is borderline personality disorder most commonly misdiagnosed as?

BPD Looks Like So Many Other Mental Health Conditions

In particular, there is evidence that BPD is commonly misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder, Type 2. One study showed that 40% of people who met criteria for BPD but not for bipolar disorder were nevertheless misdiagnosed with Bipolar Type 2.
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What can be confused with BPD?

Some symptoms of BPD can be very similar to other mental health problems, including:
  • bipolar disorder.
  • complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • depression.
  • psychosis.
  • antisocial personality disorder (ASPD)
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Does BPD get misdiagnosed?

One study cited that almost 40% of people who were diagnosed with BPD were provided with a misdiagnosis of BD at some point in their lifetime in comparison to only 10% of people in the general population receiving a misdiagnosis of BD.
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What It's Like When BPD Is Misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder



Why is BPD so often misdiagnosed?

Many mental health professionals do not have a lot exposure or education on BPD, so it's easy for BPD to be misdiagnosed as something else such as bipolar disorder since both disorders involve shifting moods and periods of depression.
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How many sessions does it take to diagnose BPD?

Your BPD assessment may take one session or several sessions. Your therapist will tell you how long the assessment will take and what types of tests or interviews they'll employ, if any. Different providers use different tools to conduct an assessment.
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What is the hardest mental illness to have?

BPD in particular is one of the lesser-known mental illnesses, but all the same it is one of the hardest to reckon with. (Some people dislike the term so much they prefer to refer to emotionally unstable personality disorder.)
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How do you know if your borderline is lying?

Here are a few of the issues at the root of lying in BPD.
  1. Intense Emotions. People with BPD experience intense emotions that they can't regulate; this often distorts their perceptions. ...
  2. Impulsivity. ...
  3. Shame. ...
  4. Distorted Self-Perceptions. ...
  5. Rejection Sensitivity. ...
  6. Romantic Relationships.
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Is there a mild form of BPD?

One such subtype is known as “quiet” BPD, which means that you direct your struggles more inward so others don't notice. Quiet BPD is difficult to diagnose and treat, but the earlier you seek help, the better the outcome. Here's what you need to know.
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How do psychiatrists diagnose BPD?

Personality disorders, including borderline personality disorder, are diagnosed based on a: Detailed interview with your doctor or mental health provider. Psychological evaluation that may include completing questionnaires. Medical history and exam.
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How do you rule out borderline personality disorder?

Diagnosis. A licensed mental health professional—such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or clinical social worker—who is experienced in diagnosing and treating mental disorders can diagnose borderline personality disorder based on a thorough interview and a discussion about symptoms.
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Why do antidepressants not work for BPD?

Because antidepressants have not demonstrated significant high-level evidence of therapeutic benefit, these medications currently lack strong recommendations in treating BPD. Serotonin regulates amygdala hyperreactivity in BPD, thought to be a central neurobiological correlate of affective instability.
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Do antidepressants help BPD?

A number of research studies have demonstrated that certain types of antidepressants are effective in treating specific symptoms of BPD. For example, SSRIs can reduce emotional instability, impulsivity, self-harm behaviors, and anger. MAOIs have also been shown to effectively treat emotional instability.
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Do borderlines cry a lot?

Compared to non-patients, BPD patients showed the anticipated higher crying frequency despite a similar crying proneness and ways of dealing with tears. They also reported less awareness of the influence of crying on others.
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Are borderlines aware of their behavior?

People with borderline personality disorders are aware of their behaviors and the consequences of them and often act in increasingly erratic ways as a self-fulfilling prophecy to their abandonment fears.
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Are borderline personality disorder narcissists?

Is narcissism a symptom of BPD? Narcissism is not a symptom of BPD listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, as many as 40% of people with BPD may also have narcissistic personality disorder,4 so people with BPD may also show signs of narcissism.
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Do people with BPD have manic episodes?

People with bipolar II disorder can experience the symptoms of depressive episodes, but they have hypomania, which is a less severe form of mania. Manic episodes usually last for at least 7 days, and they can sometimes be so severe that hospitalization is necessary.
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Who famous has BPD?

Celebrities That Have Borderline Personality Disorder
  • Pete Davidson. Pete Davidson is a comedian on Saturday Night Live. ...
  • Brandon Marshall. Brandon Marshall is an NFL wide receiver that has been very vocal about his BPD diagnosis. ...
  • Darrell Hammond. ...
  • Marsha M. ...
  • Ricky Williams. ...
  • Mikey Welsh. ...
  • Vincent van Gogh. ...
  • Conclusion.
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Are borderlines psychopaths?

BPD features are highly represented in subjects with psychopathy as well as psychopathic traits are highly prevalent in patients with BPD.
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How can you tell if a woman is borderline?

Recognizing Borderline Personality Disorder in Yourself—or Others
  1. Instability in Relationships. Intense and short-lived relationships are common for people with BPD. ...
  2. Extreme Emotional Swings. ...
  3. Explosive Feelings of Anger. ...
  4. Self-Harm. ...
  5. Lingering Feelings of Emptiness or Worthlessness. ...
  6. Feeling Out of Touch With Reality.
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What age does borderline personality begin?

According to the DSM-5, BPD can be diagnosed as early as at 12 years old if symptoms persist for at least one year. However, most diagnoses are made during late adolescence or early adulthood.
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What is a favorite person BPD?

For someone with BPD, the favorite person is deemed the most important person in their life. This person can be anyone, but it's often a romantic partner, family member, good friend, or another supportive person (like a coach, therapist, or teacher). This person may become the source of all happiness and validation.
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Does BPD shorten life expectancy?

BPD in young adulthood predicts a host of negative outcomes across the life span, including mood, anxiety, eating and substance use disorders, increased risk for physical illnesses and medical care, reduced quality of life, and reduced life expectancy [39, 42–45].
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What is the new name for borderline personality disorder?

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD). If you clicked on BPD or EUPD in our mental health A-Z then you've reached the right page. It's your choice which of these terms you want to use, but your doctor or care team might use either.
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