Individuals with personality disorders have long been considered one of the most challenging groups to work with, in the clinical population. Although the typical course of treatment is longer than protocols for other diagnoses, it should be noted that the DSM task force issued a statement conveying that contrary to popular belief, the prognosis for most patients with Borderline PD is actually quite good. Although factors associated with other Personality Disorders don’t lend themselves to the same body of research as BPD, smaller studies, as well as clinical experience, show marked improvement for many of these individuals as well.
But successful treatment outcomes all start with recognition of symptoms and effective communicating of the diagnosis. Many clinicians report leaving graduate school feeling ill-equipped to handle this population in clinically helpful ways. Stigma, bias, misdiagnosis, and fear of labelling all contribute to countless individuals not being properly diagnosed and thus not receiving the treatment they so desperately need.