BPD Manic Episodes: Understanding Mood Swings & Treatment

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is widely misunderstood, especially when it comes to mood swings. One of the biggest misconceptions is that people with BPD experience true manic episodes like those seen in bipolar disorder. While mood shifts in BPD can be intense and overwhelming, they are different from bipolar mania in key ways.

If you or a loved one struggles with emotional highs and lows, understanding BPD manic episodes is crucial. These episodes can feel chaotic and exhausting, but with the right coping skills and treatment, managing them is possible. At New View Wellness, we specialize in outpatient mental health treatment that helps individuals develop emotional stability and control. Learning to identify triggers, regulate emotions, and seek support can make a significant difference in daily life.

What Are BPD Manic Episodes?

Many people with BPD experience mood swings that resemble mania, but they do not meet the clinical definition of a manic episode. A BPD manic episode is a period of extreme emotional intensity, impulsivity, and heightened energy that comes and goes quickly. Unlike true mania in bipolar disorder, which can last for days or weeks, these episodes may only last a few hours.

During these episodes, a person may feel an overwhelming surge of energy, an urgent need for excitement, or a deep emotional connection to someone. This can lead to impulsive behaviors such as reckless spending, risky decision-making, or sudden relationship changes. However, just as quickly as the emotional high arrives, it can be replaced by a crash—leaving the person feeling empty, irritable, or deeply sad.

The core issue in BPD manic episodes is emotional dysregulation. People with BPD often struggle to manage their emotions, leading to sudden and intense shifts in mood. These fluctuations are often triggered by external stressors, particularly in relationships. A minor conflict or perceived rejection can cause a person with BPD to spiral into extreme emotions.

Without proper coping mechanisms, these episodes can be disruptive and distressing. They may interfere with relationships, work, and self-esteem, making it difficult for individuals to maintain stability in their daily lives. Therapy and emotional regulation techniques, such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), can be incredibly effective in helping people regain control over their emotions and break the cycle of intense mood swings.

How Do BPD Manic Episodes Feel?

A BPD manic episode can be an emotional rollercoaster. A person might feel on top of the world one moment, full of excitement, passion, or an intense sense of purpose. Then, without warning, their mood can crash into irritability, sadness, or feelings of emptiness.

During these episodes, individuals often report feeling:

A sudden rush of euphoria, excitement, or motivation.
Racing thoughts and difficulty focusing.
Intense impulsivity, leading to reckless decisions.
An overwhelming desire for attention, validation, or closeness.
A quick shift to anger, frustration, or deep sadness.

The emotional intensity of BPD manic episodes can be overwhelming, not just for the person experiencing them but also for those around them. The rapid mood shifts can make it difficult to maintain relationships, as others may struggle to understand or keep up with the sudden changes in behavior.

Unlike bipolar mania, which often occurs independently of external events, BPD manic episodes are usually triggered by specific situations, such as rejection, stress, or unresolved trauma. This makes emotional regulation techniques an essential part of managing BPD symptoms.

Key Differences Between BPD Mania and Bipolar Mania

BPD and bipolar disorder share some similarities, especially when it comes to mood swings. However, there are distinct differences in how these mood episodes occur, how long they last, and what triggers them. Understanding these differences is important for getting an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment.

One of the biggest distinctions is duration. In bipolar disorder, manic episodes last for at least a few days and can extend for weeks. They often include symptoms such as extreme energy, a reduced need for sleep, grandiosity, and sometimes even delusions. In contrast, BPD manic episodes are much shorter, often lasting only a few hours, and they are not characterized by grandiosity or delusions.

Another key difference is what triggers the mood swings. BPD manic episodes are usually reactive, meaning they are triggered by an external event, such as an argument, perceived abandonment, or a stressful situation. On the other hand, bipolar mania tends to occur independently of specific triggers and is often driven by internal chemical changes in the brain.

The emotional experience also differs. People with bipolar mania often feel an intense sense of euphoria, confidence, and invincibility, sometimes engaging in reckless behaviors without recognizing the consequences. In contrast, individuals experiencing a BPD manic episode may feel euphoric one moment and deeply distressed the next. Their impulsivity is often driven by emotional pain rather than a sense of invulnerability.

Recognizing these differences is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment. While bipolar disorder typically requires mood stabilizers or antipsychotic medications, BPD is best treated through therapy, emotional regulation techniques, and sometimes medication for co-occurring symptoms like anxiety or depression.

Impulsivity in BPD vs. Bipolar Disorder

Impulsivity is a hallmark symptom of both disorders, but it presents in different ways.

In bipolar disorder, impulsive behavior is often tied to mania. A person experiencing a manic episode may go on reckless spending sprees, engage in risky sexual behavior, or make grand, unrealistic plans. This impulsivity is driven by a sense of overconfidence and diminished awareness of consequences.

In contrast, BPD manic episodes often involve impulsivity that is driven by emotional distress. A person with BPD may act out impulsively to escape pain, seek validation, or prevent abandonment. This can include self-destructive behaviors like self-harm, substance abuse, or sudden relationship changes.

The underlying motivation is key: bipolar impulsivity is rooted in an altered mood state, whereas BPD impulsivity is driven by intense emotions and fear of rejection.

Coping Strategies for BPD Manic Episodes

Managing BPD manic episodes starts with recognizing emotional triggers and developing strategies to regain stability. Since these episodes are often triggered by stress, relationship conflicts, or feelings of abandonment, self-awareness is key. Identifying patterns in mood shifts can help individuals anticipate emotional highs and lows, making it easier to apply coping techniques before emotions spiral out of control.

One effective approach is grounding techniques, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and sensory grounding. These methods help redirect focus away from overwhelming emotions and bring a sense of calm. Engaging in structured activities, like journaling, exercising, or listening to soothing music, can also provide emotional regulation and reduce impulsivity.

Another critical component is seeking support. Talking to a trusted friend, therapist, or support group can provide reassurance and prevent isolation. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), one of the most effective treatments for BPD, teaches skills like distress tolerance and emotional regulation to help individuals manage their mood swings.

By combining self-awareness, grounding techniques, and professional support, individuals can gain more control over BPD manic episodes and build a healthier, more balanced life.

Grounding Techniques to Regain Stability

When emotions become overwhelming, grounding techniques can help bring a person back to the present moment. Deep breathing exercises, such as box breathing, can slow racing thoughts and reduce anxiety. Another effective strategy is the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, where a person identifies five things they see, four they touch, three they hear, two they smell, and one they taste. This method helps shift focus away from emotional distress and into the present.

Cold water therapy is another simple yet powerful technique. Splashing cold water on the face or holding an ice pack can activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm emotions quickly.

Developing Emotional Regulation Skills

Emotional regulation is one of the biggest challenges for individuals experiencing BPD manic episodes. Overtime with the right skills, managing intense emotions becomes possible. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is one of the most effective approaches for teaching emotional regulation. It helps individuals recognize and control their reactions to stress and triggers.

A key component of emotional regulation is distress tolerance, which involves learning how to sit with uncomfortable emotions without acting impulsively. Mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help individuals stay grounded in the present moment rather than being consumed by overwhelming emotions.

Another important skill is identifying emotional triggers and developing healthier ways to cope. Instead of resorting to impulsive actions, individuals can use journaling, physical activity, or creative outlets to express emotions. With practice, emotional regulation skills can significantly reduce the intensity of BPD manic episodes. Overtime leading to greater stability and emotional balance.

Finding Stability

Living with BPD manic episodes can feel exhausting, but understanding them is the first step toward managing them. These mood shifts may feel overwhelming, but with the right coping strategies and treatment, stability is possible.

At New View Wellness, we provide outpatient mental health treatment that helps individuals with BPD. You will develop emotional regulation skills, manage impulsivity, and build healthier relationships. If you or a loved one is struggling with BPD manic episodes, don’t hesitate to reach out for support. Help is available, and healing is possible.