BPD Vs. Bipolar Disorder
They both involve intense emotions. They both involve mood shifts. They're both frequently misdiagnosed. And they're both surrounded by stigma that makes it harder to get the right help.
But Borderline Personality Disorder and Bipolar Disorder are fundamentally different conditions — with different mechanisms, different triggers, and meaningfully different treatment pathways. Getting the distinction right matters enormously, because treating one as though it were the other is one of the primary reasons people don't get better.
This post breaks down what each condition actually is, where they genuinely overlap, why misdiagnosis is so common, and what the evidence says about treatment for each — including a side-by-side comparison across eight clinical dimensions.
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Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health
Perinatal and postpartum mental health conditions affect 1 in 5 birthing parents in Canada — and yet the shame and silence around them means most people suffer longer than they need to. This post covers the full picture: prenatal anxiety and depression, postpartum depression and anxiety, OCD and intrusive thoughts, birth trauma, postpartum psychosis, and pregnancy loss. What each one looks like, why it happens, and what therapeutic approaches actually move the needle.
You are not alone. And you are not failing.
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Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: The ADHD symptom nobody talks about enough
For the person with RSD, the impact on daily life is substantial. Decision-making becomes risk-avoidance. Relationships become minefields. Work performance suffers — not because of lack of ability, but because the threat of failure or criticism makes initiating and completing tasks feel genuinely dangerous. The hypervigilance required to constantly scan for signs of rejection is exhausting. And the shame that often follows an RSD episode — "why did I react like that?" — adds another layer of suffering on top.
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Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: An Emerging Approach in Mental Health Care
Mental health treatment is undergoing a quiet but significant shift. After decades of research into talk therapy and pharmacology, a growing body of clinical evidence is pointing toward an unexpected area of potential: psychedelic-assisted therapy.
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Is What You're Feeling Betrayal Trauma? Here's How to Know — and What Comes Next
Betrayal trauma goes deeper than heartbreak. It fractures your sense of reality, your trust in yourself, and your ability to feel safe. Understanding what it actually is may be the first step toward healing.
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Sex Therapy: What It Really Is, How It Works, and Why More People Should Consider It
Sex therapy is evidence-based talk therapy for sexual and intimacy concerns — and it works. Learn what sex therapy really is, who it helps, what happens in sessions, and how to find a qualified sex therapist near you. Jaclyn is a AASECT trained sex therapist located at our central Edmonton clinic.
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Understanding the Dual Control Model: Creating Space for Intimacy
Desire can feel unpredictable. Sometimes it flows effortlessly, while other times it seems distant, even in relationships built on care and trust. The Dual Control Model of sexual response offers a helpful framework for understanding these fluctuations and creating more space for intimacy.
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Exploring Meaning and Choice: What is Existential Therapy?
Existential Therapy explores how we make meaning in the face of uncertainty, freedom, and responsibility. Grounded in existential philosophy, this approach helps people navigate anxiety, isolation, and questions of purpose by supporting authentic choice and self-understanding. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, existential therapy invites deeper reflection on how you want to live.
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Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children in the Age of AI
Tools like ChatGPT, virtual tutors, and adaptive learning systems are rapidly becoming part of children’s everyday lives. They offer instant answers, limitless conversation, and personalized guidance; benefits that can make learning efficient and engaging. Yet, beneath this convenience lies a subtle but profound challenge: these interactions lack the emotional richness that human relationships provide.
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New Year, New Mindset: Navigating Back-to-School Anxiety
As the new school year begins, many students face a mix of excitement and anxiety. In our latest blog, we explore how parents and educators can ease back-to-school stress by promoting a growth mindset, encouraging curiosity, and prioritizing mental well-being. Learn simple, research-backed strategies to support students through this transition and set them up for a year of learning, resilience, and confidence.
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Digging Deeper: The Transformative Power of Depth-Oriented Therapy
Looking to explore the deeper meaning behind your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors? Depth-oriented therapy is a powerful approach that helps uncover unconscious patterns and promote personal growth. In this post, we explain what depth-oriented therapy is, what to expect in a session, and how it can support healing. Now offering depth-oriented therapy with Keira MacKenzie at Summit Counselling Services—book a session today and begin your journey toward self-discovery.
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The Secret Psychology of Color: How to Choose the Right Shade for Every Room
Color doesn’t just change how our homes look. Research shows it actually influences our mood, our creativity, and even our behaviour. Let’s take a closer look at what science says about different colours, and how you can use them to design a home that truly supports the way you want to live.
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