BPD or Just mood swings?

[AlexIsnotonfire]

its been a while since I've been on here so, anyway..

i took an online test thing and there is a high risk that i have BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and i believe i do, a lot of the symptoms i can relate to. But I'm confused whether the intense highs and lows i get is / are just me having mood swings, like any normal teenager?

Sorry if this made 0 sense, I'm not in a good place at the moment.

-Alex

oh and im 14 if thats important, i know there is a chance of me not having it as its mostly diagnosed with adults

[Harley Quinn]

As we are teenagers, we cannot really tell you that you have BPD or anything like that, usually online test are never accurate and if you really think that you may have this, I advise that you see a professional as they really are the only ones that can diagnose you! :)

[LouBerry]

Mood swings and raging emotions are completely normal, especially in teen years. But, most people don't understand what BPD really is. It's stereotyped as being a disorder where you have crazy up and down emotions all the time, but really it isn't. BPD is usually referred to as Manic-Depression. What it means is, a individual has a period of time, usually ranging from 3-6 months, where they are deeply depressed. Then, the depression is followed by a period of erratic behavior. While in the Manic phase, people tend to get careless about money, deadlines, work, everything, they become irrational and usually irresponsible. Just like any other disease, not all Manic-Depressive people are affected the same, so just like Siobhan said, if you are really worried that you might be suffering from BPD, you should see a professional.

[AlexIsnotonfire]

As we are teenagers, we cannot really tell you that you have BPD or anything like that, usually online test are never accurate and if you really think that you may have this, I advise that you see a professional as they really are the only ones that can diagnose you! :)

thanks for the reply, i will talk to my psychiatrist about it when i next see him in october and see what he says. When i asked my friend, he said that it seems alot like me, but im more like it when im texting him :confused:

thanks again :)

-Alex

[Magenta]

Mood swings and raging emotions are completely normal, especially in teen years. But, most people don't understand what BPD really is. It's stereotyped as being a disorder where you have crazy up and down emotions all the time, but really it isn't. BPD is usually referred to as Manic-Depression. What it means is, a individual has a period of time, usually ranging from 3-6 months, where they are deeply depressed. Then, the depression is followed by a period of erratic behavior. While in the Manic phase, people tend to get careless about money, deadlines, work, everything, they become irrational and usually irresponsible. Just like any other disease, not all Manic-Depressive people are affected the same, so just like Siobhan said, if you are really worried that you might be suffering from BPD, you should see a professional.

Okay, I need to clarify something right now. What you are describing is bipolar disorder not BPD. Bipolar is often called BP or, yes, manic-depression. BPD is the short form for Borderline Personality Disorder in which case there are often frequent, "crazy" ups and downs. It's a disorder characterised by emotional instability, difficulty creating and maintaining healthy relationships, being able to see others in shades of grey rather than black and white (or the hero or tyrant), frequent suicidal ideation and/or self-harming tendencies or other destructive addictions. There are many other symptoms as well as these. Though the two disorders have similarities, they are very different. BPD can often be a much more invisible illness and can be very difficult to explain to others in a way that doesn't make friends and family go "oh that's normal, you're just overreacting". It also doesn't respond to medications or certain types of therapy the way bipolar does. BPD has a lot more stigma than bipolar, unfortunately.

For the OP:

The diagnostic criteria for BPD is very specific and oriented towards adults. As with all personality disorders, it is unlikely to be diagnosed under the age of 18 when your personality is still forming. Personality disorders are diagnosed when certain traits and behaviours persist into adulthood and continue to disrupt daily life and functioning.

Very few here will be experienced with BPD (one exception being myself) due to the average age on the site. You're better off to speak with a professional if you are concerned. Mood swings are common during puberty and adolescence. Extremes could be a sign of a problem but it's hard to say since you haven't really given us a baseline to compare to.

[LouBerry]

Okay, I need to clarify something right now. What you are describing is bipolar disorder not BPD. Bipolar is often called BP or, yes, manic-depression. BPD is the short form for Borderline Personality Disorder in which case there are often frequent, "crazy" ups and downs. It's a disorder characterised by emotional instability, difficulty creating and maintaining healthy relationships, being able to see others in shades of grey rather than black and white (or the hero or tyrant), frequent suicidal ideation and/or self-harming tendencies or other destructive addictions. There are many other symptoms as well as these. Though the two disorders have similarities, they are very different.

The diagnostic criteria for BPD is very specific and oriented towards adults. As with all personality disorders, it is unlikely to be diagnosed under the age of 18 when your personality is still forming. Personality disorders are diagnosed when certain traits and behaviours persist into adulthood and continue to disrupt daily life and functioning.

Very few here will be experienced with BPD (one exception being myself) due to the average age on the site. You're better off to speak with a professional if you are concerned. Mood swings are common during puberty and adolescence. Extremes could be a sign of a problem but it's hard to say since you haven't really given us a baseline to compare to.

Wow, my bad guys I totally misunderstood that.

[Magenta]

Wow, my bad guys I totally misunderstood that.

It's a pretty common mistake actually, don't worry. :P A lot of BPD sufferers are misdiagnosed as bipolar at a younger age because of the more obvious presentation of mood swings.