What is the difference between bipolar II & borderline personality disorders?

Recently, it has been brought to my attention that I may be Bipolar II. Yet I wonder if borderline personality disorder traits cross into BPII & would like to know what distinguishes them apart.

I have suffered from clinical depression/anxiety for over 20 years & I have tried nearly all antidepressants, a few mood stabilizers all which but have been unsuccessful or made me so ill where I couldn't benefit from a theraputic dose.

I many times experience uncontrollable rage around people who I'm only closest to & w/o provocation will say very hurtful critical comments--never to strangers. I notice that I don't seem to be able to filter what comes out of my mouth BEFORE the damage is said, which makes me feel worst after the storm. I've been told I act very distant when being spoken too as if I'm in a 100-yard stare (unfocused). Yet around strangers I'm always bubbly and controlled.

I've been more of a loner unlike when I was younger...

Would these resemble BPII or Borderlin

& wonder if this is the depression.

I have insomnia where I cannot sleep at night, but only in the early morning/daytime about 4-5 hours. Sometimes I can go 3-4 days w/o sleep & feel productive. But I never like to spend money, rather hoard my pennies and not sexually promiscious either --something I read which is common to BP patients.

Thanks for your feedback.

hi=) i havent read all of your explanation. I just want to answer the difference between bipolar and borderline peronality.

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER- it is usually characterized by instability in interpersonal relationship,mood or even self image. you may also have unpredictable behavior or being impulsive. you may be easily bored, easily angered depressed,or even likes to argue. there are also times that you may feel empty and fear of being alone.=)
while
BIPOLAR DISORDER is that- you may have episodes of mania and depression.
MANIA may be in terms of restlessness, flight of ideas, innapropriateness to dress of even affect. unlimited energy or urgent motor activity.
DEPRESSION may be easily fatigued lack of energy, sexual interest, and initiative. you may also be withrawn from groups=)

all in all, bipolar and borderline may also be of the same.

My standard posts follow: See depression treatments, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris in section 2, and consult a doctor, to eliminate thyroid problems, etc. as possible contributing factors: also seek a referral to a therapist using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy. It is your decision, and yours alone, as to whether to take any antidepressants offered, but, before you do, read section 1, and check medications out at www.drugs.com so you will be on the lookout for side effects, like sexual dysfunction. My strong recommendation, however, is to follow the advice of my doctor, his partner, and also Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP, and Dr. Mercola, as well, at http://www.mercola.com and avoid antidepressants (page 2V refers, & antidepressant websites: page 2). The reasons why we all share the same view on this are explained in full, as you will find, if you read the whole section. All of their advice, (except prayer, because many people are not religious) I have incorporated into the "core treatments", including others as options, such as herbal remedies. If you are diagnosed with clinical (major) depression, antidepressants may be necessary for a while, which will give the treatments time to become effective. The antidepressants themselves need at least several days, or even many weeks to become effective. It's a good idea to taper off them slowly, with medical advice, after several months, say, to a couple of years, at most, because they are only effective in the long term for about 30% of people. Because of this, you would be well advised to begin the treatments immediately, and maintain them. I'd just thank your mental health care provider, and pocket the prescription, trying the treatments for a few months, to see if they are sufficient for you, before considering filling it (unless clinically depressed, and having great difficulty functioning, or suicidal, in which case I'd take them). See bipolar disorder, at ezy-build in section 10. Bipolar usually involves major moodswings, which occur without apparent cause, and often over many months, or a matter of years, rather than days, as with most people (unless rapid cycling). I'd try the Lithium Orotate, enhanced with Folic acid, and take 4 Omega 3 fish oil supplements daily, replacing 2 of them with cod liver oil supplements in the winter months, and see how that goes, over a few months, and maintaining the treatments for the depressive phase, in section 2. If not considerably improved, consult your primary mental health care provider, possibly trying the Lithium Carbonate, or Lithium Citrate (regular tests are necessary, for these) , before trying the other medications, and always check out anything first at http://www.drugs.com/, so you will be aware of the risks, and on the lookout for side effects. If bipolar type 1, an antipsychotic may also be needed. Everyone should take the Omega 3 supplements, for its other health benefits: see http://www.mercola.com/ TASKBAR. Some people refuse medication, using supplements, and a selective, mostly raw food diet (I do not recommended trying this, if bipolar 1, unless you aren't troubled by hallucinations, or delusional states). BPD, and anger management are addressed in sections 15, and 4. Bipolar involves moodswings between mania/hypomania, and depression, which is not necessarily true of BPD. Practise one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT version for use in public places, (you can claim to have a headache, as you massage your temples, if you like) a good tryout, to see if it helps you. A direct to it is on page 3c, where starred * and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o also refer.