Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSimilarities and Differences Between BPD and ADHDSymptoms of Borderline Personality DisorderBorderline Personality Disorder Risk FactorsSymptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderADHD Risk FactorsDiagnosis of BPD and ADHDTreatment of BPD and ADHDSummary

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Similarities and Differences Between BPD and ADHD

Symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder Risk Factors

Symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD Risk Factors

Diagnosis of BPD and ADHD

Treatment of BPD and ADHD

Summary

Close

Borderline personality disorder, also known as BPD, andattention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, are two mental health conditions that can lead to difficulties in daily functioning. They share overlapping symptoms, however, they are very different.

BPD presents with instability in moods and relationships, often manifesting inself-destructiveand impulsive behavior.ADHD presents as hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, and impulsive behavior.

As you can already see, these conditions have some commonalities. Let’s explore what makes them similar and different plus some avenues for healing and support.

The clearest connection between BPD and ADHD isimpulsive behavior. To the untrained eye, it isn’t uncommon for one to be unable to differentiate between these two conditions.

This impulsive behavior can make it challenging for folks with either of these conditions to regulate their emotions and sustain interpersonal relationships.

Symptoms (e.g., difficulty focusing, restlessness, excessive talking)

Treatment helps manage thoughts and behavior

Impulsivity is common and is typically a result of stress

Symptoms (e.g., dissociation, self-harm, etc.) are protective mechanisms

Treatment aims to manage emotional regulation

Impulsivity

This leads to difficulty havingemotionally regulated responses, thus leading to impulsive behavior that can trigger challenging interpersonal relationships.

In ADHD, impulsivity is related to motor impulsivity, meaning it is a somatic response. This leads to challenges regulating ongoing responses, resulting in emotional regulation issues. When these emotional regulation issues arise, impulsivity occurs, often leading to issues in relationships.

Trauma May Be at the Root of Both Conditions

Experiencingtraumatic events during childhoodcan lead to the development of BPD or ADHD alone. It is also possible to receive a co-occurring diagnosis of both.Despite the shared impulsivity, emotional regulation difficulties, link totraumatic experiences, and interpersonal relationship challenges, each of these conditions has distinctly different symptoms.

Comorbidities in Mental Health

BPD is more complex than impulsivity and relational issues. Mood swings and an unstable self-image play a major role in BPD. This can lead to those experiencing BPD having rapidly shifting responses to their internal and external world.

Other key symptoms include:

It is important to remember that those who experience BPD won’t always experience every single symptom. It is equally important to remember that each of these symptoms has developed throughout one’s lifetime as a protective response to trauma.

How BPD Affects Romantic Relationships

A key risk factor that has been established within BPD research is adverse childhood experiences andtrauma.

An additional factor that can lead to the development of this condition is one’s biological temperament. This means that this condition isn’t based upon simply one’s temperament or one’s childhood experiences. Rather, it is a complex interaction between the two that lead to this diagnosis.

Understanding the Effects of Childhood Trauma

Symptoms of inattentive ADHD include:

Symptoms of hyperactive ADHD include:

Some may struggle mostly with inattention while others may have a strong mix of hyperactivity and impulsivity. It isn’t uncommon for folks to have a range of all these symptoms, lending to the complexity of this condition.

ADHD in Children: Symptoms and Treatment

ADHD is regarded as aneurodevelopmental disorder. This means that the development of this condition is due to brain malfunctioning. According to theDSM-5, symptoms must present during childhood, particularly before age 12.

Adverse childhood experiences can also be a risk factor for developing ADHD.

Can Someone Have BPD and ADHD at the Same Time?

It is possible to have a co-occurring diagnosis of BPD and ADHD. The link between these conditions is becoming an increasingly researched phenomenon. Some experts believe these conditions can occur at the same time because ADHD lends to the biological vulnerabilities that can lead to BPD.

Other experts believe these conditions are linked due to their shared risk factors of trauma and biological vulnerabilities.

In the case of BPD, a referral to a general practitioner for medical tests may be given to rule out any illnesses that could be contributing to the presenting symptoms.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual

Another commonality between BPD and ADHD is that medication and psychotherapy are the suggested treatments for these conditions. However, the specific treatments and medications for each condition are quite different.

ADHD also has sometreatmentsthat involve family therapy and school-based support for those who are diagnosed as adolescents.

Medication for BPDis prescribed to manage symptoms of the disorder, like mood swings or depressive states, rather than to treat the disorder as a whole.Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, also known as DBT, was developed to treat folks experiencing BPD. It utilizes mindfulness to develop emotional regulation skills.

ADHD medicationsare either stimulants or non-stimulants. A stimulant can aid in the production of essential brain chemicals that support thinking and attention. Non-stimulants can take longer to work and are often prescribed when a stimulant wasn’t the best fit due to side effects and/or efficacy.

The suggested therapy for ADHD iscognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on understanding one’s thoughts to begin controlling their actions. Family therapy and parent skills training are two treatment options geared toward the caretakers of ADHD kids. This can help bolster support in the home for a child experiencing ADHD.

Additionally, some children may be offered academic accommodations, such as extra time when taking exams and specialized in-class plans.Support groups for ADHD are another recommended line of support.

BPD and ADHD are conditions that can be very challenging. Whether a person has an individual diagnosis of one of these conditions or is experiencing both, it is important to remember support is available. If you feel you may be experiencing one or both of these conditions, find amental health professionalandsupport groupfor some help and relief.

A Word From Verywell

Though these conditions can be painful, there are options for relief. Don’t lose hope.

If you or a loved one are struggling with borderline personality disorder or ADHD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are struggling with borderline personality disorder or ADHD, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat1-800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

How to Know When It’s Time to See a Therapist

5 SourcesVerywell Mind 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.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.NDT. 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 Pers. Disord. Emot. Dysregulation.2021;8(1):22. Doi: 10.1186/s40479-021-00162-wAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind 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.National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.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.NDT. 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 Pers. Disord. Emot. Dysregulation.2021;8(1):22. Doi: 10.1186/s40479-021-00162-wAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

Verywell Mind 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.

National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.National Institute of Mental Health.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.NDT. 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 Pers. Disord. Emot. Dysregulation.2021;8(1):22. Doi: 10.1186/s40479-021-00162-wAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

National Institute of Mental Health.Borderline personality disorder.

National Institute of Mental Health.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.NDT. 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 Pers. Disord. Emot. Dysregulation.2021;8(1):22. Doi: 10.1186/s40479-021-00162-w

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. 5th ed. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association; 2013.

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