Dissociation of the Extreme Kind (Neurotic or Psychotic)

Hi Kelly,

I'll answer your questions, but I first want to say that if you are experiencing a lot of distress, please seek help as soon as possible.  If you think your distress is life threatening or a serious emergency, then you can always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.  Otherwise, you can seek help by calling a Psychologist (you can search here), or asking your Primary Care Physician for advice or a referral.

A Manic Episode is part of Bipolar Disorder, which is a mood disorder marked by swings between depression and euphoria.  Some people experience some psychotic symptoms during a manic phase, but not all people do.

PTSD, in contrast, is an anxiety disorder that results from experiencing a trauma. The symptoms of PTSD are a normal human reaction to an unspeakable, horrible human experience.  Dissociation may occur while a trauma is occuring, or in reaction to the symptoms of PTSD.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is used to describe a person who has a long-term history of instability in relationships, moods, and self image. People who suffer from BPD are generally impulsive too, especially when they are younger (20's-30's).

Bipolar and PTSD do not cause BPD.  It is possible for a person to have one, two, or all three of these conditions, but they do not cause one another.

Regards,

Jennifer L. Fee, Psy.D.

The Stress Masters

Kelly - Jennifer did a nice job of defining these disorders for you but I agree with her completely that you need to get some help. It appears that you are trying to diagnose yourself based on these really uncomfortable experiences you've been having. It is important that you are trying to understand what is going on inside but you are confusing some diagnostic concepts that might lead you to some poor decisions about what to do. Please see a qualified and experienced mental health professional who can help you identify what diagnoses are consistent with your symptoms and experience and who can create the appropriate plan of treatment to help you.

Rick Wirtz

Rick Wirtz is a Psychologist, not a Psychiatrist. Although the majority of Psychologists are not authorized to prescribe medications or give you specific advice about them, they typically have experience working with patients who take a variety of medications. The response above is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or mental disorder. Any information given in a post about medication is for educational purposes only and primarily to aid you in having an informed discussion with your own physician