This Psychology Today article from Susan Krauss Whitbourne Ph.D. lays out the long history of stigma toward people living with Borderline Personality Disorder, even among mental health professionals:
“Stigma about psychological disorders can make life even more difficult for those who have a diagnosed condition. In certain cultures, it’s particularly challenging to face the social consequences of needing psychological help. As a result, people with these disorders have an added burden in their everyday lives beyond the actual symptoms themselves.
The whole matter of diagnosis of psychological disorders is itself fraught with difficulty. When people receive a diagnosis, they often receive a label that equates them with the disorder. You’re a “schizophrenic,” not a person with the disorder schizophrenia. Imagine a comparable situation for a physical disease. Would anyone call you an “influenzic”?
You can read the article in its entirety here
