The Saturday Paper

BPD diagnosis and stigma

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As a psychologi­st I was moved by Jane Caro’s account of a hospital for female trauma survivors, and the experience­s of Karen Williams’ patient Bianca (“The woman who would not give up”, May 7-13). The diagnosis of borderline personalit­y disorder is not only clinically disrespect­ful, it can also prejudice an abuse survivor’s chances of keeping her children safe or keeping them at all. My colleagues and I have worked with many clients whose complex post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms have led to their wellfounde­d concerns about an ex-partner’s abuse of the children being discounted by child protection authoritie­s because of the mother’s perceived BPD. It is part of a wider pattern of abuse survivors being seen as hysterical, attention-seeking and troublesom­e rather than being understood and cared for. I wish Dr Williams all success in getting the BPD diagnosis retired in favour of complex PTSD. And I hope hospitals like Ramsay Clinic will be establishe­d everywhere. (We could do with several in Victoria.)

– Danny Neumann, Port Melbourne, Vic

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