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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by thia on June 7, 1999, at 22:45:25
Hi,
I have read about both. I've been diagnosed with cyclothymia, but sometimes I wonder if it is not borderline personality disorder. How can you tell the difference? cyclothymia seems to have a life of its own, but can be swayed by your reactions to situations and borderline personality disorder seems to be about emotionally intense reactions to situations. Am I right? Anybody know about the differences between these two disorders. Can you have both?
thanks, thia
Posted by JohnL on June 8, 1999, at 3:10:59
In reply to Cyclothymia & Borderline Personality Disorder, posted by thia on June 7, 1999, at 22:45:25
> Hi,
>
> I have read about both. I've been diagnosed with cyclothymia, but sometimes I wonder if it is not borderline personality disorder. How can you tell the difference? cyclothymia seems to have a life of its own, but can be swayed by your reactions to situations and borderline personality disorder seems to be about emotionally intense reactions to situations. Am I right? Anybody know about the differences between these two disorders. Can you have both?
>
> thanks, thiaThia, I'm certainly no expert, and 10 people would probably give you 10 varying answers. From what I've read, BPD and other attempts at describing a person's abnormal behavior are convenient terms for some therapists impotent at terminating their patient's suffering. BPD is more of a personality temperament, while cylcothymia is more of a biological affective disorder. However, researchers now seem to be realizing all these things are woven in a complicated web; related, not separate distinct conditions. They are different manifestations and stages of an overall depressive disorder or, more likely, a form of bipolar, and that the root cause is biological, as evidenced by pharmacotherapy being able to alleviate symptoms. I think you are right, that BPD predisposes one to be more susceptible to having the underlying condition being triggered by an emotional event. Who knows for sure. In any case, a caring doctor and aggressive pharmacotherapy with mood stabilizers and antidepressents alleviates the sypmtoms of both conditions you describe. As evidenced at this site however, there are a whole lot of us struggling to find the right medicine(s) to do that and live with the side effects. For more reading, try Dysthymia And The Spectrum of Chronic Depression by Hagop Akiskal. The book discusses all of this stuff a million times better than me. JohnL.
Posted by Sean on June 8, 1999, at 13:15:55
In reply to Cyclothymia & Borderline Personality Disorder, posted by thia on June 7, 1999, at 22:45:25
> Hi,
>
> I have read about both. I've been diagnosed with cyclothymia, but sometimes I wonder if it is not borderline personality disorder. How can you tell the difference? cyclothymia seems to have a life of its own, but can be swayed by your reactions to situations and borderline personality disorder seems to be about emotionally intense reactions to situations. Am I right? Anybody know about the differences between these two disorders. Can you have both?
>
> thanks, thiaI woukld have to agree with JohnL on this; it isn't
a clear cut picture and these sorts of issues are
are on the cutting edge of psychiatry these days.I remember reading somewhere about borderlines and
there was an emphasis on a lack of boudaries. This
manifested itself in a very fragile sense of self
worth with respect to relationships and events (a
thin self-boundary) and a lack of understanding
of the appropriate boundaries of other which often
resulted in violent or innappropriate behaviour.It it easy to imagine a cyclothymic person with
mood swings that in either state (hypomanic or
dysthymic) does not have serious boundary issues,
but is a more or less a captive of his or her
constantly changing inner moodscape. This person
then seeks out people or stimuli during each phase
which resonates with his or her outlook at a
particular point in time. This shifts need not
involve the traits which as I understand it, define
the borderline personality.Anyway, I'm just gacking away here! Maybe this
will help, I dunno!Sean.
Posted by Ginger on June 19, 1999, at 11:34:00
In reply to Re: Cyclothymia & Borderline Personality Disorder, posted by JohnL on June 8, 1999, at 3:10:59
> > Hi,
One thing that is indicative of BPD is severe abuse or trauma.
There's an overwhelming emptiness to the person, so the need
to get overly identified with other people's lives and the disregard
for boundaries. People experiencing BPS also often engage in self-abusive or
mutilating behavior to get attention, (cutting, etc.) It's wearing for friends and
significant others to deal with this constant need for attention. As a result, sometimes close friends or significant others
go running.Cyclothymia would be more biological in origin. Look for family
history, even though it wouldn't always occur.Good luck sorting out the issues.
Ginger
Hope this helps.
> >
> > I have read about both. I've been diagnosed with cyclothymia, but sometimes I wonder if it is not borderline personality disorder. How can you tell the difference? cyclothymia seems to have a life of its own, but can be swayed by your reactions to situations and borderline personality disorder seems to be about emotionally intense reactions to situations. Am I right? Anybody know about the differences between these two disorders. Can you have both?
> >
> > thanks, thia
>
> Thia, I'm certainly no expert, and 10 people would probably give you 10 varying answers. From what I've read, BPD and other attempts at describing a person's abnormal behavior are convenient terms for some therapists impotent at terminating their patient's suffering. BPD is more of a personality temperament, while cylcothymia is more of a biological affective disorder. However, researchers now seem to be realizing all these things are woven in a complicated web; related, not separate distinct conditions. They are different manifestations and stages of an overall depressive disorder or, more likely, a form of bipolar, and that the root cause is biological, as evidenced by pharmacotherapy being able to alleviate symptoms. I think you are right, that BPD predisposes one to be more susceptible to having the underlying condition being triggered by an emotional event. Who knows for sure. In any case, a caring doctor and aggressive pharmacotherapy with mood stabilizers and antidepressents alleviates the sypmtoms of both conditions you describe. As evidenced at this site however, there are a whole lot of us struggling to find the right medicine(s) to do that and live with the side effects. For more reading, try Dysthymia And The Spectrum of Chronic Depression by Hagop Akiskal. The book discusses all of this stuff a million times better than me. JohnL.
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