Am I bipolar or what? Exploring the phenomenological, treatment and prognosis overlap of borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder

Abstract

Purpose

The term borderline applied to personality dynamics was first introduced by Adolph Stern in 1938. This new term included a particular group of patients who, in an organizational blurring, remained in the limbo between neurosis and psychosis. To find a more assertive and holistic characterization of borderline personality disorder (BPD), the purpose of this paper is to explore borderline phenomenology, setting boundaries and discussing points of approach and divergence of this personality disorder comparing them specifically to bipolar affective disorder (BAD) and also explore the differences in their treatment and prognosis.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a review and synthesis of the extant literature, mapping out the similar and unique aspects of each pathology.

Findings

Although there are approximation parameters between BPD and BAD, the phenomenology and the course of both diseases appear to be different. Indeed, this paper seems to have some uncertainty about the sphere of each entity and the domain of comorbidity. Despite the overlapping rates found, it is the understanding that the consequences and strategies for managing comorbidity are underexplored.

Originality/value

As the association of both disorders can be difficult not only in terms of management and understanding of their consequences and implications but also in long-term negative perpetuation, this review has direct implications for clinicians so that they can understand the similarities and particularities of each entity, leading to a more correct psychopathological approach in these individuals.

Citation

Mota, P. and Lourenço, S. (2020), "Am I bipolar or what? Exploring the phenomenological, treatment and prognosis overlap of borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder", Mental Health Review Journal, Vol. 25 No. 2, pp. 101-112. https://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-12-2019-0049