A current review of the stigmas faced by people with personality disorders.

What is it about?

We pulled together findings from 48 qualitative studies involving over 1,150 people diagnosed with personality disorders, looking at how stigma shows up in their lives. Most participants had borderline personality disorder specifically. We found that people often felt mislabeled, dismissed, or treated as "difficult" once their diagnosis became known, especially in doctors' offices, hospitals, and emergency rooms. Some participants describe health care providers minimizing or overlooking genuine physical health concerns as a result of their diagnosis. Many participants hid their diagnosis from others out of fear of judgment. At the same time, some people found that getting a diagnosis brought a sense of relief and self-understanding rather than shame. The review also highlighted that trusting, respectful relationships with health care providers, peers, and support groups helped people push back against stigma and feel more human. We advocate for better provider training and more trauma-informed approaches to care.

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Photo by Ufoma Ojo on Unsplash

Photo by Ufoma Ojo on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Stigma significantly affects how people experience and access health services. Our findings show that people diagnosed with personality disorders consistently experience stigma across health care, work, and family settings, often having their physical symptoms dismissed or their behaviour mislabeled as manipulative rather than understood as trauma responses. We identify that well-meaning attempts by clinicians to soften or withhold a diagnosis often backfire, increasing confusion and mistrust rather than protecting patients. We also find that trusting relationships with providers and peers, not the diagnosis itself, are what most consistently help people resist internalized stigma and stay engaged in care.

Perspectives