Addressing the stigma associated with personality disorder

The terms used to describe personality disorder are sometimes used inappropriately, or in a pejorative manner. This may serve to stigmatise personality disorder and lead to inadequate assessment and treatment, or even denial of service. Personality disorder is a treatable condition—the behaviours that people with personality disorder display (eg being ‘difficult’ or antisocial, severe emotional or interpersonal dysregulation) should not be a reason to exclude them from a health service or deny treatment.

This stigma is most often perpetuated by health professionals and it is the responsibility of all clinicians to be proactive and educate their peers when this occurs. To address the stigma that currently surrounds a diagnosis of personality disorder, have an open and honest discussion with the patient at the time of diagnosis (see Psychoeducation for personality disorder) and record the diagnosis in the patient’s medical history.