Learning the facts about the disorder, including prevalence statistics, can help you feel more empowered to seek help through therapy and support groups. Here are some relevant BPD facts and figures.
Prevalence
In the United States, recent research has shown that 1.6% of the population has BPD. That number may seem small, but when you consider just how large the United States is, you may realize that 1.6% represents quite a large number of people.
Gender Differences
Women are far more likely to be diagnosed with BPD than men. In fact, about 75% of people diagnosed with BPD are women; that’s a ratio of 3 women to 1 man diagnosed with BPD. Researchers do not know why there is this gender difference. It may be that women are more prone to BPD, women may be more likely to pursue treatment or that there are gender biases when it comes to diagnosis. For instance, men with symptoms of BPD may be more likely to be misdiagnosed with another condition like post-traumatic stress disorder or major depressive disorder.
Suicidality
Some of the most sobering borderline personality disorder statistics come from the research literature on BPD and suicidality. About 70% of people with BPD will make at least one suicide attempt in their lifetimes. In addition, between 8 and 10% of people with BPD will complete suicide; this rate is more than 50 times the rate of suicide in the general population. Why these rates are so high is currently unknown. It may because people with BPD don’t know where to turn for treatment or are misdiagnosed and not treated appropriately. For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.
Misdiagnosis
While 1.6% is the recorded percentage of people with BPD, the actual prevalence may be even higher. In a recent study, over 40% of people with BPD had been previously misdiagnosed with other disorders like bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. These illnesses are often cited, potentially because they are more well-known and more easily treated with medications than borderline personality disorder. It’s also common for those with BPD to have comorbidities or other illnesses along with BPD.
Prognosis
While BPD is a serious mental illness, it is by no means a life sentence. Research has shown that the prognosis for BPD is actually not as bad at once thought. Almost half of people who are diagnosed with BPD will not meet the criteria for a diagnosis just two years later. Ten years later, 88% of people who were once diagnosed with BPD no longer meet the criteria for a diagnosis.
