It used to be that a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) came with it little hope for recovery. These days, however, the right treatment can result in a long-lasting remission from BPD symptoms.
A recent study that followed patients diagnosed with BPD over a period of 10 years found that about 50 percent of the patients recovered from the disorder. That means their symptoms were absent for at least two years and they were able to lead functioning social and work lives.
Through appropriate BPD treatment, more than 90 percent of the patients in the study experienced a remission of BPD symptoms lasting at least two years. About 85 percent achieved a remission of at least four years.
The study indicates that, although people diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder may have a hard time achieving recovery, they can have a long-lasting recovery once they have successfully experienced a prolonged remission of symptoms.
Of course, no two people experience BPD symptoms the same, so a prognosis for recovery can only be determined on a case-by-case basis. However, the study’s researchers did acknowledge that seeking a comprehensive course of treatment that focuses not just on symptoms but on impulse control issues and social and vocational functioning is essential, and greatly increases the odds of a lasting recovery.