Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBPD and ADHD SymptomsDifferencesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
BPD and ADHD Symptoms
Differences
Treatment
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, andattention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, share overlapping symptoms, yet they are two different mental health conditions. BPD is a disorder that involves a longstanding pattern of mood instability, relationship struggles, and issues with self-image that interferes with life.ADHD is a condition that is present since childhood; it involves symptoms relating to excessive attention challenges, excessive hyperactivity, or both, which can also lead to impulsivity.Despite their differences, both ADHD and BPD have symptoms of impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships.The overlap between the two conditions can sometimes make the diagnosis and treatment of them more challenging.Learn more about the similarities and differences between BPD and ADHD and how the two conditions are treated.What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?BPD and ADHD are two different mental health conditions with some unique symptoms. However, the ADHD and BPD relationship is somewhat complex. Some of their symptoms overlap, making the conditions more challenging to diagnose and treat. It is important to understand the symptoms of each condition individually to better understand their relationship.Verywell / Joules GarciaSymptoms of Borderline Personality DisorderSymptoms of BPD include:Mood swingsAbandonment avoidanceExtreme relationship pattern shifts between love and hateTrust issues with other peopleFeeling disconnectedSelf-image orself-esteemuncertaintyExtreme viewsQuickly changing views or opinionsSelf-harmThoughts ofsuicideFeeling emptyAnger management challengesIf you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.Borderline Personality Disorder TestSymptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderSymptoms of ADHD include:Difficulty with attentionDifficulty following instructionsOrganizational challengesTime management issuesCareless mistakes or missed detailsResponding before the appropriate time to respondThe appearance of not listeningAvoidance of lengthy tasks or projectsForgetfulnessDifficulty sitting stillFidgetingRestlessnessBeing inappropriately activeImpulsivityExcessive talkingDifficulty with quiet activitiesDifficulty with patience and waitingInappropriately interruptingEmotional regulation challengesOverlapping SymptomsThe symptoms that overlap between BPD and ADHD are those related to impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships.BPD and ADHD may also becomorbid, which means they occur together in the same person at the same time.This may make it even more difficult to distinguish between the two, but there are differences in the way the overlapping symptoms present.What’s The Difference Between BPD and ADHD?While people with BPD and people with ADHD may both struggle with impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships, these symptoms tend to be more severe in BPD.For example, people with borderline personality disorder are more likely toharm themselves.There are also differences in the ways people with BPD and people with ADHD struggle with these symptoms and how they respond to those struggles. For example, they are generally not impulsive in the same ways. People with BPD tend to struggle with responding appropriately whilestressed. People with ADHD, on the other hand, struggle more with thinking before acting when they are not focused.National HelplineIf you or a loved one are struggling with borderline personality disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.TreatmentThe primary treatment for borderline personality disorder is psychotherapy, ortalk therapy.This can be challenging with comorbid BPD and ADHD because people with ADHD often struggle to stay focused for talk therapy.A combination of medication and psychotherapy is often used to treat both together.MedicationsWhen BPD and ADHD are present together, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is often used for treatment. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (MPH) are often a first-line treatment for ADHD. One study found MPH effective in treatment of comorbid (co-occurring) ADHD and BPD.However, there is limited research about medicinal treatments for comorbid ADHD and BPD.PsychotherapyFor talk therapy, there are several psychotherapies for BPD. These include dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), and mentalization-based therapy (MBT).Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), psychoeducation, and DBT are used for both conditions. In addition to medications and talk therapy, coaching is also an option to focus on behaviors related to ADHD. Family therapy and parenting skills training may be used with children who have ADHD and their families.How Borderline Personality Disorder Is TreatedHow Is ADHD Treated?SummaryBorderline personality disorder, or BPD, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, are both mental health conditions. Although they are different, they do have some overlapping symptoms and may occur together in the same person at the same time.People with ADHD and people with BPD both struggle with impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships.However, the way they experience and respond to these struggles is different, and they tend to be more severe in BPD.Though the relationship between BPD and ADHD makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated, there are treatment options available. People who suspect or have been diagnosed with BPD, ADHD, or both can effectively manage symptoms with the help of a mental health professional such as apsychologistorpsychiatrist.
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, andattention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, share overlapping symptoms, yet they are two different mental health conditions. BPD is a disorder that involves a longstanding pattern of mood instability, relationship struggles, and issues with self-image that interferes with life.ADHD is a condition that is present since childhood; it involves symptoms relating to excessive attention challenges, excessive hyperactivity, or both, which can also lead to impulsivity.
Despite their differences, both ADHD and BPD have symptoms of impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships.The overlap between the two conditions can sometimes make the diagnosis and treatment of them more challenging.
Learn more about the similarities and differences between BPD and ADHD and how the two conditions are treated.
What Is Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)?
BPD and ADHD are two different mental health conditions with some unique symptoms. However, the ADHD and BPD relationship is somewhat complex. Some of their symptoms overlap, making the conditions more challenging to diagnose and treat. It is important to understand the symptoms of each condition individually to better understand their relationship.
Verywell / Joules Garcia
Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder
Symptoms of BPD include:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Borderline Personality Disorder Test
Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Symptoms of ADHD include:
Overlapping Symptoms
The symptoms that overlap between BPD and ADHD are those related to impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships.BPD and ADHD may also becomorbid, which means they occur together in the same person at the same time.This may make it even more difficult to distinguish between the two, but there are differences in the way the overlapping symptoms present.
What’s The Difference Between BPD and ADHD?
While people with BPD and people with ADHD may both struggle with impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships, these symptoms tend to be more severe in BPD.For example, people with borderline personality disorder are more likely toharm themselves.
There are also differences in the ways people with BPD and people with ADHD struggle with these symptoms and how they respond to those struggles. For example, they are generally not impulsive in the same ways. People with BPD tend to struggle with responding appropriately whilestressed. People with ADHD, on the other hand, struggle more with thinking before acting when they are not focused.
National HelplineIf you or a loved one are struggling with borderline personality disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
National Helpline
If you or a loved one are struggling with borderline personality disorder, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
The primary treatment for borderline personality disorder is psychotherapy, ortalk therapy.This can be challenging with comorbid BPD and ADHD because people with ADHD often struggle to stay focused for talk therapy.A combination of medication and psychotherapy is often used to treat both together.
Medications
When BPD and ADHD are present together, a combination of medication and psychotherapy is often used for treatment. Stimulant medications such as methylphenidate (MPH) are often a first-line treatment for ADHD. One study found MPH effective in treatment of comorbid (co-occurring) ADHD and BPD.However, there is limited research about medicinal treatments for comorbid ADHD and BPD.
Psychotherapy
For talk therapy, there are several psychotherapies for BPD. These include dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, transference-focused psychotherapy (TFP), and mentalization-based therapy (MBT).Cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT), psychoeducation, and DBT are used for both conditions. In addition to medications and talk therapy, coaching is also an option to focus on behaviors related to ADHD. Family therapy and parenting skills training may be used with children who have ADHD and their families.
How Borderline Personality Disorder Is Treated
How Is ADHD Treated?
Summary
Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, are both mental health conditions. Although they are different, they do have some overlapping symptoms and may occur together in the same person at the same time.
People with ADHD and people with BPD both struggle with impulsiveness, difficulty regulating emotions, and challenges with interpersonal interactions and relationships.However, the way they experience and respond to these struggles is different, and they tend to be more severe in BPD.
Though the relationship between BPD and ADHD makes it more difficult for them to be diagnosed and treated, there are treatment options available. People who suspect or have been diagnosed with BPD, ADHD, or both can effectively manage symptoms with the help of a mental health professional such as apsychologistorpsychiatrist.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Borderline personality disorder.American Psychological Association.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Weiner L, Perroud N, Weibel S.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder in adults: a review of their links and risks.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:3115-3129. doi:10.2147/NDT.S192871Ditrich I, Philipsen A, Matthies S.Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd) revisited – a review-update on common grounds and subtle distinctions.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2021;8(1):22. doi:10.1186/s40479-021-00162-wNational Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder.Treating BPD.Matthies SD, Philipsen A.Common ground in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD)–review of recent findings.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2014;1(1):3. doi:10.1186/2051-6673-1-3National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Borderline personality disorder.American Psychological Association.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Weiner L, Perroud N, Weibel S.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder in adults: a review of their links and risks.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:3115-3129. doi:10.2147/NDT.S192871Ditrich I, Philipsen A, Matthies S.Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd) revisited – a review-update on common grounds and subtle distinctions.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2021;8(1):22. doi:10.1186/s40479-021-00162-wNational Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder.Treating BPD.Matthies SD, Philipsen A.Common ground in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD)–review of recent findings.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2014;1(1):3. doi:10.1186/2051-6673-1-3National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Borderline personality disorder.American Psychological Association.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Weiner L, Perroud N, Weibel S.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder in adults: a review of their links and risks.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:3115-3129. doi:10.2147/NDT.S192871Ditrich I, Philipsen A, Matthies S.Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd) revisited – a review-update on common grounds and subtle distinctions.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2021;8(1):22. doi:10.1186/s40479-021-00162-wNational Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder.Treating BPD.Matthies SD, Philipsen A.Common ground in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD)–review of recent findings.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2014;1(1):3. doi:10.1186/2051-6673-1-3National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.
American Psychological Association.Borderline personality disorder.
American Psychological Association.Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
Weiner L, Perroud N, Weibel S.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and borderline personality disorder in adults: a review of their links and risks.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2019;15:3115-3129. doi:10.2147/NDT.S192871
Ditrich I, Philipsen A, Matthies S.Borderline personality disorder (BPD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (Adhd) revisited – a review-update on common grounds and subtle distinctions.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2021;8(1):22. doi:10.1186/s40479-021-00162-w
National Education Alliance for Borderline Personality Disorder.Treating BPD.
Matthies SD, Philipsen A.Common ground in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD)–review of recent findings.Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation. 2014;1(1):3. doi:10.1186/2051-6673-1-3
National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.
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