What is the prognosis (outlook) for borderline personality disorder?

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What is the prognosis (outlook) for borderline personality disorder?

Most of the time, BPD symptoms gradually decrease with age. Some people’s symptoms disappear in their 40s. With the right treatment, many people with BPD learn to manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Without treatment, people with borderline personality disorder have an increased risk of the following:

  • Substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder.
  • Depression.
  • Self-harm.
  • Suicide.

The risk of suicide in people with BPD is 40 times that of the general population. About 8% to 10% of people with BPD die by suicide.

Many people with untreated BPD also experience unstable or chaotic personal relationships and have trouble keeping a job. They have an increased risk of divorce, estrangement from family members and rocky friendships. Legal and financial problems are also common.

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