WCSD Parent University

Next Clinic:
Nell J. Redfield Health Center, Neil Road
3915 Neil Rd, Reno, NV 89502
Monday, June 8, 2026 from 9-6pm

Recommendation from Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District

Bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder (BPD) are often confused in teenagers because they have the same initials, and they both involve intense emotions and impulsive behavior. But there are key differences, including the pattern of mood swings and the time of onset.
In bipolar disorder:
• Episodes of mania or depression last weeks or months and often arise without a clear trigger.
• Teens with bipolar disorder often return to a relatively stable baseline between episodes.
• Risky behavior is driven by elevated mood, grandiosity, or feeling invincible during mania.
• Symptoms commonly appear in late adolescence or early adulthood, with early warning signs gradually developing into clearer episodes.
• Treatment typically includes medication plus therapy to manage mood episodes.
In borderline personality disorder (BPD):
• Emotional shifts are rapid and reactive, with moods lasting minutes or hours and usually triggered by interpersonal stress, rejection, or disappointment.
• Challenges with emotional regulation are consistent, with symptoms woven into daily life rather than appearing in discrete episodes.
• Often emerges soon after puberty, when emotional intensity and social pressures increase.
• The best treatment is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which teaches concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and relationships.
• Impulsive behaviors (including self-harm or sexual risk-taking) are often attempts to change painful emotions or cope with feelings of worthlessness or abandonment.
Want to know more? Comment, "confused" and we'll send you a DM with more of our resources on bipolar and BPD, and differentiating the two from other symptoms and disorders.

Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District: Choosing an outside meeting place is a key part of your fire escape plan and getting your kids involved makes it fun and memorable.
This printable is designed for young children (Pre-K to Grade 1) to help them learn and participate. Let them color it in and pick your family’s special meeting spot together.
Download here: https://nfpa.social/42wcDIy