I agree with you, Bird Dancer, I really don't like the idea of pdocs being so pessimistic with patients; it hasn't been my experience, but I've heard about it here.

There IS expert evidence out there (this isn't the first time I've read about it, and even the DSM -though not referring to getting rid of BP altogether- says that stability between episodes is actually a feature of BP and others say it helps to differentiate it from other illnesses) that BP can go into remission for long periods of time. It IS possible, and I think it should give us hope. Finding the right med combo and doing therapy to cope with the BP itself and how it has affected one's life and also to learn coping mechanisms to deal with other, un-related, issues that might trigger or exacerbate BP symptoms -I think- are key.

Again, I just wanted to point out that there is hope at there; both short and long-term. We shouldn't give up!!