At a Glance

Symptoms of borderline personality disorder tend to decline with age.

These can be linked to both biological and environmental factors.

This is similar to learning any skillwith practice over time, it becomes easier to accomplish.

Older man reading book on dock at lake

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For example, for many people with BPD, problems ininterpersonal relationshipstrigger the most intense reactions and symptoms.

People with BPD may start to avoid interpersonal relationships altogether to make it reduce their distress.

This has been referred to as being “comfortably alone.”

While some people have reported success with this approach, it is hardly considered a solid treatment option.

Symptoms of the condition usually first appear in adolescence.

Studies have found that symptoms tend to decrease between young adulthood and middle adulthood.

It is also important to note that while some people experience remission of symptoms, relapse is common.

Approximately half of people with BPD never achieve a full recovery.

Longitudinal research suggests that certain factors are associated with remission and recovery.

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Biskin RS.The lifetime course of borderline personality disorder.Can J Psychiatry.

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