Psychology Commons^™

Borderline Personality Disorder Stigmatization: Bias, Discrimination, And Prejudice In The Healthcare Field, Briana L. Kunstman

Psychology: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a personality disorder characterized by patterns of unstable moods, impulsive behaviors, and insecure relationships. Often misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder, BPD is difficult to diagnose due to its symptoms overlapping with many other conditions. There has been a reluctance to work with individuals who have BPD due to the surrounding stigma. In fact, healthcare workers tend to misunderstand BPD, and assume that those who have it are manipulative, aggressive, violent, and unable to be helped. This stigmatization has a profound impact on how BPD clients are seen in the healthcare field and furthermore how they receive …