Disorders

Disorders Many people are misdiagnosed or not even diagnosed at all with some form of disorder, such as depression, post-traumatic stress, and anxiety. Two of the most commonly misdiagnosed disorder is Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder. These disorders are so commonly related it is sometimes is difficult for some doctors to diagnose them. Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder comes in different stages and subtypes. Bipolar and BPD have many similar causes and symptoms that can affect people as an individual. These disorders do have treatment plans to stabilize them. There is no cure for these disorders but with help and support people can maintain a normal life. Bipolar Disorder has several phases and subtypes which do intertwine with Borderline Personality Disorder. One phase is Bipolar I which can cause major manic mood swings in jobs, relationships, or schools. Bipolar II is less severe than one but people still have the irritability, mood swings, and difficulty functioning. Cyclothymic Disorder is a mild form of Bipolar I and II. The highs and lows aren’t as severe as the other two and don’t happen as often. People might be thinking or asking what causes these disorders and what the symptoms are. The causes of Bipolar and Borderline Personality Disorder are still uncertain. Doctors seem to believe that genetics, hormones, brain abnormalities, and environmental factors are what these disorders stem from. People can have any number of symptoms with these disorders. The manic phase of Bipolar and BP Disorder has many similar symptoms. Types of these symptoms are risky behavior, unsafe sex, racing thoughts, difficulty controlling impulses, aggressive behavior, and euphoria. These are just a few of the many manic phase symptoms. People may then have the depressive phase which comes with symptoms like suicidal thought, behavior, and loss of appetite, sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, sleeping problems, and a fear of being alone. This is just an example of what the depressive symptoms can be. People may have, get or even know someone with signs of any of these symptoms. What people may not know is there are testing and treatment plans for these disorders. People need to go to a mental health provider right away if they have or know anyone with any signs of the symptoms for these disorders. People do not want to wait to receive treatment. As soon as a person goes to a mental health provider they will receive a physical exam, lab tests, psychological evaluation, and mood charting to determine what form or type of disorder they may have. They may be referred to a psychiatrist to discuss other issues related to or involving their type of disorder. Doctors may even have people hospitalized if they are having suicidal thoughts, behavior, or detaching from reality. In the hospital the psychiatrist will evaluate the person and start some type of mood stabilizing medications. A few antipsychotic and antidepressants doctors try to work with are Prozac, Depakote ER, and Lithium. These medications are to stabilize their moods, behavior, and thinking. Borderline Personality Disorder has a unique type of therapy they use called Dialectal Behavior Therapy. This was designed for people with disorder not to be on medications, but to have twenty-four hour phone access to their therapist so to maintain their disorder. Mental health providers do their best to help people manage with their disorders. Managing with these disorders is and can be difficult for the person, family, friends, and co-workers due to the fact these disorders never go away. Since doctors are uncertain what causes these disorders all they and others can do are watch for the signs and symptoms. Anybody who has or are diagnosed with Bipolar and/or Borderline Personality Disorder must stick with all treatment plans and medications. It will be a struggle each and every day but if the person keeps to their treatment plan they can have normal days and a real life. Disorders References Borderline personality disorder. (1998-2012) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/borderline-personality-disorder Bipolar disorder.(1998-2012) Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bipolar-disorder Borderline personality disorder Health Article. Laith Farid Gulli M.D., Linda Hesson M.A., Psy. S., LLP, CAC, Michael Mooney M.A., CAC, CCS, The Gale Group Inc., Gale, Detroit, 2003 NIMH • Bipolar Disorder - National Institutes of Health (NIH) www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/bipolar-disorder