Actually popular opinion even according to the DSM-IV is the prognosis for bipolar is very good, while the prognosis for BPD once thought almost none has improved, but still considered difficult. The difference being with bipolar therapy really isn't needed usually as long as patient stays on meds. But because so many here agree that BPD is a personality disorder, all personality disorders while promising don't have as successful prognosis as other disorders. Meds and therapy is required with much more emphasis on therapy. If you like that wording better then fine. Still sounds worse to me. The meds are required not for the BPD but for some of the symptoms accompanying the disorder. Mostly for depression and anxiety, however recent studies suggest that anti-psychotics help significantly for the mood swings, doesn't cure them but helps. Honestly, do you think I make this crap up I share? i do extensive reading and research from many sources.
Now lets look at the sources that supports what i just said ok?
Prognosis for bipolar:
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Bipolar disorder usually requires lifelong treatment. At present there is no cure for the condition, but it can be effectively treated. One study found that over a year’s time, a little more than half of the people treated for bipolar disorder had two or fewer symptoms of the disorder. About half of these people still had lingering symptoms, usually depression. Even with treatment, depression or mania recurs in most people with bipolar disorder. Treatment goals include making the episodes less severe and less frequent, helping people function at as high a level as possible between episodes, and preventing self-injury and suicide. For better outcomes, it is important to make sure that both mania and depression are treated promptly. - source
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While there is no cure for bipolar disorder, there is every reason to believe that with proper treatment, you will get better. - source
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The prognosis does worsen for patients who begin bipolar from childhood untreated until adult.
The Prognosis for BPD:
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Recent research based on long-term studies of people with BPD suggests that the overwhelming majority of people will experience significant and long-lasting periods of symptom remission in the lifetime. Many people will not experience a complete recovery (e.g., problems with self-esteem and the ability to form and maintain relationships may linger), but nonetheless will be able to live meaningful and productive lives. Many people will require some form of treatment—whether medications or psychotherapy—to help control their symptoms even decades after their initial diagnosis with borderline personality disorder. - source
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another problem with BPD is their inability to trust..
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Also, it is sometimes difficult for people with borderline personality disorder to find a therapist they feel comfortable enough with. Given the problems maintaining perspective (see above, under Treatment), it may be difficult for them to distinguish between real and exaggerated disappointment in psychotherapy. - source
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Then there's the insurance problem for proper coverage..
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Recent work has provided evidence for the effectiveness of therapeutic community treatment. Dolan et al (1997) compared 70 patients treated at the Henderson Hospital with those referred but refused funding by their health authorities. Eighty per cent of their patients had a diagnosis of BPD and many also met the diagnostic criteria for other personality disorders. Forty-three per cent of the treated patients showed a clinically significant change in core borderline psychopathology at one year after discharge, compared with 18% of those who had been refused funding. - source
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The key to treating borderline is long term psycho therapy, which is not covered by most insurances, compounded by the trust factor for most bpd patients results more often to failure then any significant success. Bipolar certainly has it's challenges as well but is fully covered by insurance companies and most mental health providers consider working with bipolar patients easier then BPD patients. Bipolar patients can resume a complete normal life as long as they stay on their meds. BPD even on meds for depression and anxiety will still have long lasting issues that can only be worked out in therapy.
Also noteworthy, many people with BPD also have other disorders too! Same can be said with bipolar patients and there are some bipolar patients who never do very well. Each group will encounter even more problems if accompanied with substance abuse.
So in conclusion, it's easier to treat bipolar, it's relatively no problem for insurance companies and most therapists don't mind treating bipolar patients. It's harder to treat BPD because it requires long term therapy and trust issues, splitting by patient, presents more challenges which have prompted many therapists to not even want to treat BPD and then there's the insurance issue to.
So which would you say has a better prognosis?