Is BPD curable?

[Jester20]

Is there anyone who has or around someone who had BPD who now no longer meets the criteria of a diognosis for it?
The 3 years intensive therapy course my husband attends... .on the NHS website and the group facilitators... .both said that following treatment ( which is very intensive) it is possible that after people no longer meet the criteria for a diognosis?

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[Naughty Nibbler]

Hey Hulu:  

Most people with BPD have co-morbid issues.  Anxiety, depression, bipolar and PTSD are common ones.  You have a lot of variables.  Some people qualify as high-functioning BPD, some Low-functioning.  Others that don't qualify for the label of BPD, may exhibit some disturbing and frustrating traits of BPD.

It's rather complex. Some people get a different diagnosis, whenever they change therapists.  There can be a degree of subjectivity.  Some patients may hide some issues and aren't honest with a therapist or psychiatarist.  

Some people could go into a state of remission with all mental conditions and manage things with continuing treatment (meds and/or therapy).  Some may get rid of the BPD label, but still have bipolar, anxiety or depression to manage (and perhaps some BPD traits).  Even if someone qualifies as being in remission, some life event or stress could unravel that.

[thefarside]

Yes!  Look up Marsha Linehan.  You'll be able to google her easily.

And the other comments are true too -- so many comorbidites.  My in-the-process of being fully an ex (just need it finalized), has too many comorbidites.  It's like reading the DSM!  Depressive personality disorder, PTSD, dependency tendencies, sadististix and masochistic tendencies, anxiety, bipolar 2, and that's not even all of them.

People have to want to change, that's the real kicker.  If they have borderline and NO comorbidites and no desire/will to change, IT WILL NEVER CHANGE.

[Jester20]

Most people with BPD have co-morbid issues.  

Thank you. This gives me some hope. My husband was in a management position for 13 years until 2009 when he hurt his back and needed surgery. Before then he had worked since leaving school.

He also suffers from depression but that is well managed with anti-depressants.
I'm wondering whether his move to join me in the uk, his fathers death, his in-going pain and having to move really unravelled his disorder? Apparently... .he was having dbt in USA but said that he had been assessed as having some of the traits and didn't meet the criteria for a full BPD diognosis.

He only told me this about a year ago after being under the mental health team and this information transpired in a meeting with his psychiatrist. I asked him why he had never mentioned this to me before and did he not think this was some very important information that I needed to know.

He said he was scared of being rejected because of it and just wanted to be normal.

[Naughty Nibbler]

Hey Hulu:   

Thank you. This gives me some hope. My husband was in a management position for 13 years until 2009 when he hurt his back and needed surgery. Before then he had worked since leaving school.

He also suffers from depression but that is well managed with anti-depressants. I'm wondering whether his move to join me in the uk, his fathers death, his in-going pain and having to move really unravelled his disorder?

Sounds like he had an unfortunate chain of stressful events, any one of which could throw someone off balance.  My goodness, the back problem, the job loss, father's death and then a move.  That's a lot to deal with.

The fact that he had things managed previously, that he is responsible and seeks treatment are positive things that can offer hope.   

[mjssmom]

YES a person can function a lot like a non with proper treatment I recently learned.  My BPD exbf recently dumped me out of the blue.  I had been confiding in one of my favorite and most well adjusted and trusted co-workers and she told me I know exactly where you and he are coming from.  I'm like "you do" cuz no one else seems to understand".  Well after already having been filling her in for almost a month, she finally confessed to me she went through a 1 1/2 years of treatment for BPD.  I WOULD HAVE NEVER EVER GUESSED!  My BPD exbf is the first time I'm experiencing this illness that I know of and here I had the fortune to have this person successfully living with it and THRIVING, to be there for me and explain to me and answer my questions.  What a blessing and truly she is a beautiful and lovely person.  All of them are.  But they need treatment.  It gives me hope for my ex in some small way but deep inside I do doubt he'll ever get help.  But I'm thankful that this other wonderful person I know did and that she's healthy and happy.   She did tell me there is no cure but once treated, people are more likely to seek help as they need it when they encounter hills.

[Meadowslark]

Yes! A person can undergo therapies and come out the other side no longer meeting the diagnostic criteria for BPD.

My best friend's husband used to be diagnosed BPD, but through his hard work and her dedication to helping him, he's thriving. It's so nice to see him have control in his life and to know his limits. He's really so much happier now.

That being said, the pwBPD has to want to change, and has to put in the work. But it can be done!