That Makes Sense

http://bpdcentral.com/resources/basics/types.shtml

This page totally clears up some issues for me. For the past year and a half I have been struggling to figure out whether I have BPD or not. Because the diagnosis totally fits, but I don't have the "horror" stories that a lot of others with BPD have. According to this description, I am a high-functioning borderline who "acts in". Thank you once again, bpdcentral.com!

From Day 15 from mental health cartoons for Mental Health Awareness Month. Check out more at: http://www.mentalhealthcartoons.com/

Bipolar II

Here is webmd's description of bipolar ii. It's a little basic but I think it works.

Bipolar II disorder (pronounced "bipolar two") is a form of mental illness. Bipolar II is similar to bipolar I disorder, with moods cycling between high and low over time.

However, in bipolar II disorder, the "up" moods never reach full-on mania. The less-intense elevated moods in bipolar II disorder are called hypomanic episodes, or hypomania.

A person affected by bipolar II disorder has had at least one hypomanic episode in life. Most people with bipolar II disorder also suffer from episodes of depression. (This is where the term "manic depression" comes from.)

In between episodes of hypomania and depression, many people with bipolar II disorder live normal lives.

BPD

The DSM-IV's criteria for BPD:

A pervasive pattern of instability of interpersonal relationships, self-image, and affects, and marked impulsivity beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

1. frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment. Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.

2. a pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.

3. identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self.

4. impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating). Note: Do not include suicidal or self-mutilating behavior covered in Criterion 5.

5. recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior

6. affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days).

7. chronic feelings of emptiness

8. inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)

9. transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms

Recovered

I'm feeling better about life today. Me and the hubby are loading our pod to be shipped out. We're moving halfway across the country. I'm really nervous because it's a brand new place and we don't know anybody there nor do we have a place to live yet. I also have to try to find a therapist and psychiatrist who are familiar with bpd and bd. Well I'm being told we're leaving now. Until next time.

Scum

Ever felt like an absolute horrid person?

That's me right now. I'm not worth the gum on the bottom of a shoe.

At the same time I feel set-up.

How do I blame them and me?

The Beginning

After much thought I've finally decided to keep a blog to chronicle my struggle with Bipolar II Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder. Maybe others who stuggle with one or both will be able to see this blog and relate. Maybe it will help nons undrerstand the daily struggles that come from having these disorders. In the end I'm mostly doing this for myself since I seem to do better with online stuff than written.