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.
poster:Sean
thread:7159
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990601/msgs/7180.html