BPD diagnosis and stigma
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