‘An Untreatable Illness?’: Recovering from BPD is possible

This Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month the Psyche Therapy Team has been reflecting on this condition and the many stereotypes and misconceptions around people living with BPD.

What is Borderline Personality Disorder? 

BPD is a personality and mood disorder than can how a person thinks, understands, feels or connects with others. It is categorised by emotional dysregulation, impulsive behaviour, intense but unstable relationships, and cognitive distortions ranging from mild to severe. Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is hugely misunderstood condition that has been unfairly labelled an ‘untreatable illness’. This is harmful for people with BPD who may feel hopeless and stuck, believing their symptoms will never improve. This is however untrue as research has shown BPD symptoms can change and moving forward is possible. Our Psychotherapist Conor Deeney wished to highlight research from R.S. Biskin finding many people with BPD experience recovery and remission. This means they meet less than 2 symptoms for a period of 2 months or longer.

R.S. Biskin’s research on BPD

Both of R.S. Biskin’s studies found most patients with BPD improve with time. When followed up two years after initial assessment, about one-quarter of patients experience remission during the prior two years. After ten years, 91% achieve at least a two-month remission, with 85% achieving remission for a year or longer.

Further research after 16 years found 99% of patients experienced a two-year remission and 78% have remission for 8 years. Finally, one study followed up after 27 years and found 92% of patients no longer met criteria for BPD. These studies also demonstrated that BPD is slower to return than other Personality Disorders and Mood Dysregulation Disorders. This shows that recovery is possible and BPD being ‘untreatable’ is a myth.

Several therapy modalities can support BPD recovery including psychotherapy, Dialectic Behaviour Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Schema Therapy and trauma-focused therapies. These are available at Psyche Therapy Centre, and we would love to help support you on your recovery journey. If you or your loved one are struggling with BPD, please get in touch. We hope this research gives those struggling with BPD hope moving forward that it can get better.

To book your initial consultation with Psyche Therapy Centre click here:

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To read R.S. Biskin’s full study click here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500179/

 

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