I knew I said I wouldn't be back, but I lack will power.
Your final comment is depressing.
I would chose BPD over BP because BPD does not necessitate meds. Therapy in the form of DBT is HIGHLY successful, and although you might need meds to get through some depression or what not, DBT is the Gold Standard of BPD. It is in fact useful for other forms of Personality Disorders as well but BPD is the one that is most responsive by far.
BP, in order to be kept in 'Perfect Check' one is much more likely to have to be on meds for that, and sadly, BP meds are no walk in the park.
There has even been some success shown in DBT for BP, so really, DBT could be something that anyone could look into, if only more clinicians would learn it.
Hard to CHANGE personality, but it's not about changing it, it's about managing it, handling it and learning to control our outbursts that result from the sort of emotional personality that we have.
Some weeks I HATE going to DBT . It's a lot of hard work. But on days like today, I feel like I am worth that hard work, and even on days I don't feel like I am, the ones who love me are worth it so I will perservere...
Anyhow, just needed to say that. BP does not have a better prognosis than BPD.
That is possibly the stigma that makes people want to run over to one side.
BPD CAN get better. We can learn how to deal with our triggers... whereas with BP its really a lot more out of our control and we might end up over medicated.

I hope honestly that more of the 'spectrum' BP cases are re-evaluated for the 'Non Popular' BPD and that other methods of therapy are given a chance to help avoid pumping everyone full of mind numbing meds.
/me jumps off the soap box