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Can ADHD be mistaken for borderline personality disorder?
Because ADHD was rarely diagnosed in inattentive women until relatively recently, many lived with a misdiagnosis of BPD. ADHD does often co-occur with BPD, but the combination brings severe impairments that can be debilitating without treatment and support.
What is borderline personality disorder often confused with?
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.
Can you be aware of borderline personality disorder?
Yes, you can diagnose yourself with BPD. I’m a huge fan of clients who have read about borderline personality disorder as a way to understand themselves and the diagnosis. I believe that well-educated clients who are proactive in getting treatment have an greater chance at feeling better sooner.
What can mimic 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)
What if I think I have BPD?
Signs and symptoms may include: An intense fear of abandonment, even going to extreme measures to avoid real or imagined separation or rejection. A pattern of unstable intense relationships, such as idealizing someone one moment and then suddenly believing the person doesn’t care enough or is cruel.
Can BPD be misdiagnosed?
BPD can also often be misdiagnosed because it can be difficult for practitioners to differentiate BPD from mood disorders, such as major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder.
Can people with BPD have more than one personality?
Due to it being a personality disorder, BPD is often confused with someone having dissociative identity disorder, where people develop multiple personalities. But this isn’t the case at all. People with BPD don’t have more than one personality.
What are the similarities between ASPD and BPD?
ASPD and BPD share similarities in that they are both classified as Cluster B personality disorders in the DSM-5. Cluster B disorders are characterized by overly emotional, dramatic, and unpredictable thinking and behavior.
What is the difference between BPD and NPD?
Though the two personality disorders share some common symptoms, they are distinct disorders with their own set of diagnostic criteria. For example, both BPD and NPD deal with conflict in a way that is unhealthy to themselves and those around them.