Does BP get worst as you get older?

I wish I could say the same. But I'm finding that I'm not handling meds like I used to. For example, five years ago I was on wellbutrin with no issues. Now it makes me dysphoric. And even though I was on lexapro for a long time as well, I'm scared it will have a negative effect on me now. That's so weird.

If untreated, it usually gets worse.

I'm in mid 50's. Good years under control by whatever means.
Bad years. Or lengths of time like 4-5 months.
I can remember worse than I feel now. So I don't think bipolar gets worse. Maybe coping skills improve.
Avoiding trauma. Which is triggering for me if it builds unchecked.

Learning to handle disapointments better, stopping the mental loop. Or interrupting the loop.
A certain amount of discipline.
I think you can mitagate bipolar symptoms with experience that comes with age. Hope so, anyway. IMHO.

Also giving and receiving Love.

Yes, my illness got worse as I got older. I was diagnosed when I was 32, and now I'm 54. However, in the past couple of years I've stabilized on medications and had an easier time of it.

I think I cope better now than when I was younger because I've "been there, done that, made the tshirt in art therapy." I know the range of emotions I'm likely to get and how to handle all of them. I feel free and secure talking to my pdoc and husband, so I'm not hiding anything anymore. No more shame.

As for a cure -- hey, bipolar is said to be a brain chemical disorder. I fear the doctors being able to make permanent changes to my brain, even if it's in search for a cure.

I'll be 50 this year. I've been having episodes since i was 18. I was diagnosed and put on meds when i was 25. The only real change it that my episodes have gotten more predictable. Since i've been on disability benefits these past 17 years i no longer have episodes due to stress but just according to the seasons. I'm hypomanic in the Spring and depressed the rest of the year. My hypomanias are just as strong tho. I have insight when they start but lose all insight at their peak and decide i'm well for goood and will feel euphoric for the rest of my days. It never lasts and the best i can hope for is a soft landing instead of a crash. I'm feeling pretty uneasy now because i'm usually hypmanic at this time of year. I guess it's delayed due to the lingering Winter.