Just answered a question on my BP Magazine for Bipolar blog about the differences between #bipolar and #borderline regarding triggers. The person asking had the idea that bipolar is not a triggered illness while borderline is. Here is a brief clarification:
Bipolar disorder is an ancient and genetic illness that affects a person’s ability to regulate the mood. It is not related to childhood events. It is not a trauma illness. It is also very episodic. When a person with bipolar is not manic or depressed, the mood is stable.
Borderline is a personality disorder with symptoms that are consistent over time. The cause is up for debate. For the majority of people, borderline is trauma based.
Bipolar and borderline are not related as illnesses.
What about triggers?
Bipolar is absolutely triggered by outside events. My book Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder has a chapter on the topic. We have many different ways to get sick with this illness. It really can come out of nowhere- life is fine and boom, we get sick. This is what I call the rogue mood swing. But the majority of our moods swings are triggered. This is a positive as it means we can manage the illness by managing our triggers.
Borderline is usually triggered by relationship or life events. It is much more related to interpersonal relationships than bipolar disorder.
Only bipolar has mania. Borderline never has mania.
Julie
PS: I chose this pictures as it represents how bipolar and borderline might look the same, but they are actually very different illnesses.
