In fact, it is very uncommon that BPD and depression donotco-occur.
But what is unique about depression in BPD, and how might having both conditions affect your treatment options?
What Is Depression?
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The term depression is actually not a specific diagnosis.
Instead, this term refers to the experience of depressed (blue or low) mood.
Depression ismore than normal sadness.
Depression can also happen outside of these diagnostic categories, such as inbereavement.
This means many people who have BPD also experience problems with depressed mood.
One study found that about 96% of patients with BPD met criteria for a mood disorder.
Is Depression Different in BPD?
Many experts have noticed that depression often presents differently in patients with BPD than in those without.
In other words, the quality of depression seems to be different in BPD.
People with BPD often describe feeling intensely bored, restless, and/or desperately lonely when they are depressed.
How Does BPD Affect Depression Treatment?
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Research suggests that treatment focused on the BPD symptoms may be most effective inreducing the symptomsof both conditions.
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