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Adderall, a common treatment for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can cause side effects in the mouth and on the tongue. These effects are referred to collectively as Adderall tongue. Learn more about its causes, symptoms, remedies, and prevention.

What Is Adderall Tongue?

Adderall tongue is not a recognized disorder but a group of symptoms that some people taking Adderall have reported. Each person seems to experience Adderall tongue differently and with varying severity. Most descriptions of Adderall tongue are anecdotal; no studies have looked at this phenomenon specifically. Many people describe it as:

• A sore tongue
• A dry tongue and dry mouth
• A raw feeling on the tongue
• Swelling of the tongue and mouth
• Ulcers or sores on the tongue

Causes of Adderall Tongue

There are two main causes of Adderall tongue. One is that you’re experiencing a common side effect of this medication. The second is that you’re having an allergic reaction.

Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is one of the most common side effects of Adderall and other stimulant medications. It’s caused by decreased saliva production and can lead to other issues, including:

• Bad breath
• Heightened thirst
• Sore throat
• Trouble swallowing
• Hoarse voice
• Sores on the tongue, lips, and mouth
• Pain in the tongue, lips, and mouth
• Trouble with taste

Allergic Reaction

It is possible to have an allergic reaction to an ADHD medication even after taking it for years. If you are allergic to Adderall and take this drug, you may experience a swollen tongue.

Other potential signs of an Adderall allergic reaction can include:

• Hives, rash, or itchy skin
• Breathing issues, such as wheezing
• Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, and the areas around the eyes
• Anaphylaxis, which can include labored breathing, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, rapid pulse, vomiting

Adderall tongue symptoms caused by allergic reactions usually mean that you can no longer use Adderall to treat your ADHD and will need to switch to a different medication. Other medications used to treat ADHD include:

• Concerta
• Daytrana
• Focalin
• Metadate
• Methylin
• Ritalin

Adderall Tongue Treatment and Prevention

How do you get rid of Adderall tongue that occurs as a side effect of this medication as opposed to being an allergic reaction? The first course of action is to contact your healthcare provider.

Your provider may adjust your ADHD medication dosage to reduce the drug’s side effects or provide other strategies to help with your symptoms. If you’ve just started taking this medication, you may find that your Adderall tongue symptoms decrease as your body begins to adjust to it.

Address dry mouth and related problems (bad breath, sore throat, sores, and tongue pain) with at-home remedies such as:

• Staying hydrated and sipping water throughout the day
• Using a humidifier to bring moist air into your home
• Sucking on candies and lozenges or chewing gum, which can increase saliva production
• Decreasing caffeine and reducing alcohol use
• Using mouthwash
• Trying a nasal wash or oral spray

Other Adderall Side Effects

In addition to mouth and tongue issues, other common Adderall side effects include:

• Anxiety
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Decrease in appetite
• Abdominal upset

More About Adderall

The stimulant drug Adderall is a combination of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. It works by changing how neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin affect the brain. Adderall is one of many ADHD medications.

If you have persistent anxiety that affects your life on a recurrent basis, your symptoms may be caused by an anxiety disorder. Often, anxiety disorders are treatable with medication, counseling, and therapy techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy. There are also a number of lifestyle methods that you can use to reduce your anxiety level.

If you have anxiety, medication can help because the medicines used for anxiety alter the chemicals in your body and brain, reducing symptoms, and often helping you calm down and focus on other things. Other approaches to symptom relief, such as counseling and developing relaxation techniques, can also reduce your anxiety.

This article discusses some of the different types of medicine for anxiety and how they can help. It also covers other treatment options that can help, including talk therapy and lifestyle modifications.

Medicine for Anxiety

Anti-anxiety medications have physical effects on the brain and the body, which can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety, such as worry, fear, and panic attacks. These medications must be prescribed by a doctor, and often by a psychiatrist.

There are a number of different anti-anxiety medications available, and the right medication for you depends on your type of anxiety disorder and whether you have other health problems or take other medications.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines such as Valium (diazepam), Xanax (alprazolam), Klonopin (clonazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam) are sometimes used to treat anxiety for a short-term period.

They are used for generalized anxiety disorder and may be used as a second-line treatment for panic disorder and social anxiety disorder, with antidepressants being the front-line choices.

Beta-Blockers

Beta blockers are used to control heart disease. They help reduce your heart rate and blood pressure by blocking the effects of epinephrine, a stimulant that your body naturally produces. Beta-blockers can help control trembling, sweating, and other physical symptoms of anxiety.

They may be prescribed off-label for the short term when used for anxiety. Sectral (acebutolol), Tenormin (atenolol), Inderal LA (propranolol), are a few beta-blockers. Common side effects include weight gain, fatigue, and cold hands and feet.

Buspirone

BuSpar (buspirone) may be prescribed for long-term treatment of chronic anxiety, and it’s recognized as a treatment for generalized anxiety disorder. It increases the action of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps improve mood and reduce anxiety.

Buspar takes one to two weeks for initial effects to be felt and can take four to six weeks for the full effect. Because of this, it is not considered effective for the treatment of anxiety attacks, and it must be taken consistently in order to have an effect on symptoms.

It is less sedating than many of the other commonly used anti-anxiety medications, and it is non-addictive and has a low risk of overdose. Possible side effects include dizziness, headache, nervousness, and trouble sleeping.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

Often used as a first-line treatment for anxiety disorders, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) include medications like Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline) and Lexapro (escitalopram). SSRIs are considered antidepressants and they increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, which helps improve mood.

Side effects include headaches, dry mouth, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, diminished sex drive, and weight gain. As with many antidepressants, they can increase the risk of suicidal ideation (thinking about or planning suicide), particularly in children, teenagers, and young adults.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

Another common category of medications used for anxiety are the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are antidepressants, and include medications like Effexor (venlafaxine), Cymbalta (duloxetine), and Pristiq (desvenlafaxine). SNRIs increase the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine to help boost mood and are similar in effectiveness to SSRIs. Side effects are similar to those of SSRIs.

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants are also used in treating anxiety. Common medications in this class are Tofranil (imipramine), Elavil (amitriptyline), Pamelor (nortriptyline) and Anafranil (clomipramine). Side effects may include constipation, dry mouth, blurry vision, a decrease in blood pressure when standing, and urinary retention (decreased ability to urinate).

Supplements for Anxiety

There are no over-the-counter treatments (OTC) for anxiety; however, some people find that OTC options help ease their anxiety symptoms.

Ashwagandha

The extract of ashwagandha is used in pills and usually advertised as helping to reduce anxiety and stress. While some research found ashwagandha reduced depression, stress, and anxiety in a small group of adults, more studies are needed to understand its effects on anxiety in the long term.

L-Theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid that is sold in supplement form. One study found that 200 milligrams per day of L-theanine in healthy adults reduced stress and anxiety and improved sleep quality.

However, more research is needed to understand what dosage is most effective as well as L-theanine’s effects on people with chronic anxiety symptoms.

Valerian Root

Valerian root is an herb that is often used in teas or tinctures to reduce anxiety and/or improve sleep quality. However, high doses of valerian root may actually make anxiety symptoms worse. Potential side effects include headaches, nausea, and heart palpitations.

Magnesium

In people who experience anxiety as a result of magnesium deficiency, adding a magnesium supplement may help reduce symptoms.

Therapy for Anxiety

Medications can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, but they are often most effective when used along with psychotherapy. A mental health professional can help you treat your symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered a first-line treatment for anxiety. Research has found that CBT can be effective for treating social anxiety disorder (SAD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), phobias, panic disorder, and other types of anxiety.

In CBT, a trained professional helps you identify the specific coping strategy and lifestyle changes that can help you manage your symptoms.

Other types of therapy that can treat anxiety effectively include:

• Exposure therapy: A type of CBT that involves pairing exposure to help desensitize people to their fear
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT): A form of CBT originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). It can help relieve anxiety by teaching helpful skills, including mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal skills, and emotional regulation
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): A type of therapy that involves focusing on values, learning to accept thoughts and feelings, and committing to living according to your values
• Interpersonal therapy (IPT): A type of therapy that involves improving social relationships to improve symptoms of anxiety and other mental health conditions

Although it can be difficult, be sure to be honest about the symptoms and challenges you face. Together, you and your mental health professional can work toward developing customized coping strategies.

Lifestyle Strategies

When taking anti-anxiety medications, it also helps to modify your lifestyle in ways that will reduce your anxiety. Here are some ways to address the anxiety in your life.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Discussion Guide

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Day-to-Day Examples

In addition, some examples of strategies a professional may encourage you to try may include:

• Being mindful: There are many ways to bring mindfulness to your day. You might try meditation, journaling, or practicing gratitude—all of which can help reduce anxiety.
• Cleaning: Keeping your home tidy and well-organized may help improve anxiety levels.
• Engaging in an activity: Doing a crossword puzzle or sudoku can help take your mind off of negative thoughts and stay present.
• Exercising: Any kind of physical exercise can help reduce anxiety. You can try dancing, going for a walk, or taking an exercise class.
• Exploring spirituality: Spending some time exploring your own spirituality (whether or not you’re religious) may help reduce anxious and fearful thoughts.
• Taking time for yourself: Even if you have a busy schedule, it’s important to have some down time. You can watch TV, catch up with a friend, or simply do nothing at all.
• Taking up a hobby: Spending time doing things you enjoy—whether it’s painting, cooking, or being in nature—may help improve anxiety and your overall quality of life.

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It starts out little by little. You cancel a date night with your partner or spouse to stay late at work. When you get home, you’re too tired to talk, so you sit in front of the TV until it’s time for bed. Soon, there’s no kiss goodbye when one of you leaves the house. You look up one day and feel completely disconnected from your partner.

“Disconnection between couples often happens gradually which can make it difficult to spot in the moment, but at one point a couple will begin to realize something is missing, physical intimacy has ceased, or each partner can’t even recall the last time they asked each other about their day,” notes Rachel Goldberg, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Founder of Rachel Goldberg Therapy. 

All couples have times where they don’t feel quite as connected. But the absence of intimacy and romantic feelings can leave you feeling less like marriage partners, and more like roommates.

Hence, we’re unpacking what it means when you’ve hit the “roommate phase” in your relationship and what steps you can take to rekindle the connection.

How Do You Know You’re in the Roommate Phase?

People talk about the “seven-year itch.” It usually refers to a period of restlessness or discontent in the seventh year of marriage. It happens when one spouse begins to feel bored with the monotony of marriage or bored with feeling settled into a comfortable routine.

When that happens, you may begin to spend large amounts of time apart from your spouse, see a breakdown in meaningful communication, and experience a decrease in physical intimacy. Their interest in each other’s personal lives wanes, and they become two people sharing a common space —much like roommates.

“The roommate phase refers to a period in a marriage where partners feel more like cohabitants than a couple deeply in love,” Goldberg says. “Over time, routine and monotony often set in, diminishing the excitement in the romantic aspect of their relationship.”

The ”seven-year itch” is not the only issue that can leave marriage partners feeling like roommates. The experience can happen at any time in a marriage, with a variety of factors contributing to it, including:

• Outside stressors, from workplace issues to other family members
• Focus on the care of children
• Irritation with the behaviors or actions of your marriage partner
• Financial strain
• Unresolved marital conflicts

Once those feelings of dissatisfaction start to creep in, feelings of disconnection with your spouse soon follow. The relationship can slowly start to erode, with neither spouse wanting to put the time or interest into nurturing the emotional intimacy that the marriage needs.

“Partners may begin to harbor resentment towards each other, resulting in frequent arguments or avoidance of meaningful communication,” notes Goldberg. The situation can also take a toll on your
mental health.

“Additionally, disconnection results in feelings of anxiety, depression, or a desire to seek fulfillment outside of the marriage,” Goldberg adds.

If you’re experiencing any of these things in your relationship, it’s good to take stock of what’s happening between you and your spouse, and why.

Take Time to Reflect on Your Relationship

Sensing that something is off in your marriage is one thing. Being able to pinpoint the issue and figure out if you’re headed toward the roommate phase is another.

Audrey Schoen, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, says examining your actions and motives can help give you a clearer picture. She recommends asking yourself the following questions:

“Is your partner the first person you want to share news (good or bad) with? Or do you feel like you won’t get the response you need from them? Does it feel safer to just not ask them for things that you want or need? Is it easier to do everything yourself rather than ask for your partner’s participation?” she asks.

In addition to considering those questions, you can make a list of things that concern you about your marriage and be honest with yourself about your feelings toward those issues—and your spouse. Own the fact that for you, something is missing.

Once you acknowledge the problem, you can both start working toward a solution.

Steps to Rebuilding Your Intimate Connnection

Growing apart and feeling like roommates didn’t happen overnight. And neither will reconnection. It takes time and effort to work toward a fulfilling, engaging, intimate relationship with your spouse.

Step 1: Acknowledge the Problem

You know there’s an issue; now you need to bring it to the forefront. Both you and your spouse need to discuss what’s happening between you.

“The way one would want to address this disconnect is to make sure to bring it up during a non-stressful time and where distractions are unlikely to arise. The conversation should focus on how the person has been feeling as opposed to how the other person’s behavior or lack thereof is creating a distancing atmosphere,” Goldberg advises.

The hope is that both partners will be able to acknowledge that there is a problem, have an interest and investment in addressing it, and commit to working on it together.

Step 2: Take Steps to Rebuild Connection

You and your partner can acknowledge the problem all day, but if you don’t make a concerted effort to change certain behaviors, well, nothing is going to get better. Luckily, there are lots of easy and practical actions you can take.

Maybe you set a reminder on your phone to reach out to your spouse with a loving, thoughtful, or flirty text each day. When your partner gets home after a day of work or is home with the kids all day, make a point of sharing what you appreciate about them and asking how their day went—then actively listen to the response. Ask follow-up questions, so your partner knows that you are invested and connected with them.

Physically, you can make a point of touching your partner each day. It can be something as simple as a touch on the shoulder, a hug or kiss, holding hands, or even giving your spouse a gentle shoulder or foot massage. Small touches go a long way in rebuilding your connection.

You may also find that a lot of hurt, pain, and resentment have built a wall between you and your spouse. If talking about the problem and putting strategies to work isn’t making a difference, you may need to get professional help.

“A skilled couples therapist can help couples identify the underling processes that are driving these conflict, and heal them at the root. This not only provides deeper connection for the couples but can heal old wounds and traumas for each partner as well,” Schoen says.

Step 3: Spend Time Together, Seriously

It might sound so obvious, but having dedicated, uninterrupted, quality time with your spouse is a critical part of reconnecting and moving out of the roommate phase of the relationship. Your activities don’t have to be elaborate or expensive, but rather a time that you are focused fully on being present with each other.

With the busyness of life, carving out time to spend with your spouse takes effort and intention. Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Putting your scheduled time with your spouse on your calendar, like you would for a meeting. “Set aside dedicated time without distractions, such as no kids, no phones, and no TV. Have an agenda of activities or topics to discuss,” Goldberg says.
• Have each spouse pick an activity to do once a month. Bowling, board games, movies, karaoke night, and trying different restaurants are all fun options.
• Learn a new skill together. Go to a cooking class, try a paint-and-sip activity, or take a dance class.
• Decide to get in shape together. Take up power walking, attend a Zumba class, or join a gym and go to sessions together.

Even as you work to reconnect, be mindful that you won’t always agree. Learn to handle issues in a healthy way. “After a conflict, take time to consider how you contributed to the fight, then go let your partner know and apologize. When each person calls themselves out, it opens the door to increased openness and vulnerability in the future,” states Schoen.

Identify the problem, communicate with your spouse, seek out healthy solutions for conflict, and enjoy time with them in the process. Every relationship takes work. But if you’re willing to put in the effort to go from having a roommate situation to a loving marriage, the work can be well worth it.

The desire for love is universal. It’s rare to encounter a human being who has never yearned for true love, but what does the term even mean?

We associate “true love” with fairytales and Disney, or with extravagant weddings and romantic films about couples overcoming adversity together and building a beautiful life together.

The concept of true love is even puzzling to researchers, with academic literature indicating love is an experience that boils down to a collection of emotions that further our ability to survive.

While there certainly is truth in this, from the drive to reproduce to the intense attachment that can provide support during the end of our lives, deep love can be hard to spot.

It isn’t uncommon to wonder if you’ve found true love, or if the love you once thought was your end game is fading, and if true love even lasts. We’ve got you. This article will help you spot and learn how to nurture deep, secure, love in—hopefully—its truest form.

Take the Love Quiz

Our fast and free love quiz can help you determine if what you’ve got is the real deal or simply a temporary fling or infatuation.

This love quiz was reviewed by Ivy Kwong, LMFT.

Characteristics of True Love

To learn how to identify true love, it’s important to understand the characteristics of it. A key component of true love is an unwavering sense of mutually feeling respected and valued. Speaking poorly of each other and breaking the agreed-upon boundaries of the relationship exist as the antithesis of these traits.

Unconditional acceptance and support are also key to true love. The same way you don’t speak poorly of each other, it is also important that you accept and support one another in the best and worst of times. This doesn’t mean that you evade difficult truths. In true love, you can trust that you can be honest. Furthermore, you can trust that your partner is honest with you.

But, true love isn’t only about respect, values, and boundaries. There are also enchanting elements that keep you in the relationship when times feel tough.

To dig deeper into the magic, we talked to licensed marriage and family therapist Lauren Consul, “Secure love isn’t a fixed endpoint; it’s a continual journey where partners actively and consistently show up for themselves, each other, and the relationship.” This is a key point to remember—true love isn’t the end of a book. It’s the process of writing an evolving story. “It involves experiencing a sense of safety, assurance, and significance in the eyes of your partner,” she continued. This type of connection helps develop a deep emotional bond and intimacy. 

How Does True Love Feel?

When it comes to the concept of love, it isn’t uncommon to hear people say you’ll just know. There’s good reason for this. An element of love is unspeakable, it is a feeling above all. “It goes beyond merely being heard; it’s about feeling that your words hold importance for your partner,” shares Consul. This feeling indicates emotional connection, trust, and vulnerability. 

However, things can get tricky. You can have a deep love for someone and also no longer wish to continue in a relationship with them. Though this may seem contradictory, such a predicament isn’t an indicator of a lack of depth, “True love doesn’t conquer all…it coexists with external circumstances that may end the relationship journey, but does not end the love,” says Consul.

Similarly, she shares that someone can also love another but be unable to truly express that love because they have yet to do important internal work. Alas, this is when we end up in the unfortunate predicament of emotional unavailability. Yet, in a secure loving relationship, both parties are dedicated to doing the work to ensure they are available for the sweetness a relationship can bring.

How Do I Find It?

Dating to find true love can be a daunting task in a world where many people are just looking for casual connections. However, with some persistence, focus, and self-work, it is possible to not only find your match but to enjoy the journey along the way.

“With dating, a crucial aspect is self-awareness. That means understanding both your positive attributes and the baggage you carry,” explains Consul. She continued by acknowledging that while it is important to honor your strengths and deservingness of a great relationship, it is more critical that you’re aware of your baggage, generational patterns, trauma, and triggers. Once you have cultivated that awareness, you can do the deep self-work required to ensure you can show up to a romantic relationship with emotional availability and patience. 

As for the logistics of dating? Somatic psychotherapist, coach, and mindfulness teacher Francesca Maximé gave us her thoughts: “Dating apps are always going to be an option, but try to meet people in real life.”

She suggests volunteering, joining a sports league, or taking a class as options. She continued by explaining that getting to know someone through a shared interest can take the pressure off of the early days of dating. 

Maintaining True Love

So, you’ve found the love. How do you keep it? According to Consul, the bedrock of a thriving, long-term relationship lies in sustained curiosity. Curiosity helps avoid assumptions, which in turn avoids judgment while fostering intimacy and solutions.

Beyond curiosity is effective communication. Research shows that the way a couple navigates conflict is directly indicative of the quality of the relationship. Conflict isn’t bad for a relationship and is a great way couples can learn how to navigate challenges together. 

“Frequently, we fall into the trap of making assumptions because we believe we know our partner inside out. However, this can gradually erode a relationship, leading to disconnection.” You can cultivate a sense of curiosity by continually asking questions. It can be as simple as, “What is your favorite food right now?” Or, “What is something new you’ve learned lately?” Though these questions may seem elementary, you’ll be surprised at what conversations they can open up.

Another tool to tap into is the Gottman Institute’s Card Deck app. The Gottman Institute, founded by the creators of the Gottman Method Drs. John and Julie Gottman, is committed to providing research-based therapy and support to couples around the world. Their Card Deck app utilizes a series of open-ended questions and activities that are designed to increase emotional connection, understanding, and intimacy. 

If you’re noticing things are feeling particularly rocky within your relationship, consider seeking out therapy. Couples therapy is an excellent tool that can help you streamline your communication, physical connection, and emotional understanding of one another. If you’re not sure where to begin, Inclusive Therapists is an excellent therapist directory where you can search for therapists based on identity, modality, location, fee, and more. 

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has been controversial since it was first recognized in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” in 1980. One controversy that still has not been resolved is whether or not BPD is related to bipolar disorder since they have many similar symptoms.

Both conditions are characterized by mood instability and impulsivity, but there are also important distinctions. Bipolar disorder involves dramatic shifts in mood and activity levels, whereas BPD is marked by emotional dysregulation.

Learn more about the differences between bipolar disorder and BPD. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, talk to a healthcare provider to receive a diagnosis and treatment.

Symptoms

Mood instability and impulsive behavior are frequently experienced both by people with bipolar disorder and by people with BPD.

Bipolar disorder is associated with mood shifts from depression to mania or hypomania. Mania is characterized by elation, a decreased need for sleep, and increased activity. Hypomania is similar to mania but less severe.

BPD is also associated with mood changes, sometimes called emotional dysregulation or affective instability. People with BPD frequently change from feeling fine to extremely distressed in minutes.

Causes

Research suggests that while bipolar disorder and BPD may co-occur, they appear to be separate conditions with different causes. While researchers do not fully understand the exact causes of each condition, it is believed that several factors play a part in increasing a person’s susceptibility to developing each condition.

Bipolar Disorder

• Genetics: Bipolar disorder is believed to have a strong genetic link. It is one of the most heritable mental health conditions.
• Trauma and stress: Childhood trauma and stressful events may also be linked to bipolar disorder.
• Brain differences: Some studies suggest that brain structure and chemistry differences may also contribute to bipolar disorder, although more research is needed to understand this link better.

Borderline Personality Disorder

• Abuse and trauma: BPD is strongly associated with childhood abuse and trauma. Factors such as poor maternal attachment, parental substance use, and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are associated with BPD.
• Brain differences: People with BPD may have differences in areas of the brain associated with emotional control. 
• Genetics: Research also suggests that the condition may have a genetic link. BPD tends to run in families, meaning having a close relative with the condition may increase the risk that a person will also have it.

Diagnosis

When making a diagnosis, healthcare providers will look at several different factors to help distinguish between bipolar disorder and BPD. Some significant components separate the two.

• Quality: While the disorders are both characterized by mood changes, the quality of the mood changes can be very different. People with bipolar disorder tend to experience mania and depression, while people with BPD experience intense emotional pain and feelings of emptiness, desperation, anger, hopelessness, and loneliness.
• Time: In BPD, mood changes are often more short-lived. They may last for only a few hours at a time. In contrast, mood changes in bipolar disorder tend to last for days or even weeks.
• Cause: Mood shifts in BPD usually react to an environmental stressor, such as an argument with a loved one, whereas mood shifts in bipolar disorder may occur out of the blue.
• Degree: The mood shifts typical of BPD rarely involve elation. Usually, the shift is from feeling upset to feeling OK, not from feeling bad to feeling a high or elevated mood, which is more typical of bipolar disorder.

Treatment

Because bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder are distinct conditions, it is essential to treat each disorder individually for the best chance of symptom relief.

Bipolar Disorder

Medication is the primary treatment for bipolar disorder, although psychotherapy can also be helpful. Mood stabilizers can help balance moods and minimize the risk of experiencing extreme highs and extreme lows.

Types of medications that are often prescribed to treat bipolar disorder are antipsychotics and anti-convulsants, which may include:

• Abilify (apripiprazole)
• Depakote (divalproex sodium)
• Haldol (haloperidol)
• Lamictal (lamotrigine)
• Topamax (topiramate)

Borderline Personality Disorder

BPD was previously regarded as challenging to treat, but more recent evidence indicates that treatments can be very effective. It is most often treated with psychotherapy, but medications may also be prescribed to help manage specific symptoms.

Other therapies that can also be helpful include CBT, mentalization-based treatment (MBT), and group therapy. Medications sometimes prescribed to treat BPD symptoms include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers.

Prevention

Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder. The exact causes of each condition are not known, and both are believed to be affected by genetics to some degree. However, there are things you can do that will help you prevent serious outcomes associated with your condition.

Bipolar Disorder

There is no way to prevent bipolar disorder. However, early detection and treatment can help improve outcomes. Watch for warning signs and learn more about the condition so you can be on the lookout for early symptoms. If you have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, some things can help reduce the risk and severity of having mood episodes:

• Adhere to your treatment plan
• Avoid drugs and alcohol
• Avoid triggers
• Eat a balanced diet
• Find ways to manage stress
• Get enough sleep
• Stick to a consistent schedule

Borderline Personality Disorder

There is no surefire way to prevent borderline personality disorder. Some steps can lead to better outcomes, such as:

• Avoiding drugs and alcohol
• Minimizing stress
• Utilizing relaxation strategies
• Seeking treatment at the first sign of symptoms

Summary

Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder share some common symptoms, but they are distinct conditions. They do sometimes co-occur, so future research on the genetic and biological causes of BPD and bipolar disorder may reveal some undiscovered relationships between the two conditions.

The exact causes of the two conditions are not clear, but genetics is strongly linked to bipolar disorder, while trauma is strongly connected to borderline personality disorder. Both conditions have different treatments, so getting an accurate diagnosis is essential.