Borderline Personality Disorder vs Bipolar Disorder – How to tell the difference

Nearly two-thirds of individuals with bipolar disorder have been misdiagnosed at some point in their lives, and they visit nearly four physicians on average before receiving a definitive bipolar diagnosis. Perhaps the most troubling feature is the length of time it takes for a person to receive a bipolar diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It takes an average of 10 years from the time a person experiences their first bipolar mood episode until they receive bipolar disorder treatment. This treatment gap is the result of widespread misunderstandings about bipolar disorder and how it shows in episodes, as well as a general aversion to discussing a persistent psychological disorder, especially when symptoms are present in a young person.