BPD Stigma | BPD Isn’t a Bad Word

Why is Borderline Personality Disorder still so misunderstood?

In this episode we explore the stigma surrounding BPD, from the media, to the police force, to mental health professionals. We look at structural stigma, public stigma, and self-stigma, exploring real stories, real harm, and how validation and awareness can lead to healing.

🌱 Have questions, stories, or something you’d like us to cover? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at bpddiariespodcast@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and let’s keep the conversation going.

🎧 Looking for guided meditations made for emotional regulation, BPD, and more? Check out our YouTube channel Empowered Heroes for free meditations created with love and care:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Empoweredheroes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Also available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify at Empowered Heroes Meditations⁠⁠⁠⁠.

📩 For support on your BPD recovery journey with DBT-based skills and Mindfulness practices, email me for a free 30-Minute Consultation: ⁠steff@bpdsupport.org⁠ or check out the website: www.bpdsupport.org

*If you or someone you care about is struggling with symptoms of BPD, know that you’re not alone. Support is out there, and healing is absolutely possible.

📚 Referenced Research Includes:

Aviram, R. B., Brodsky, B. S., & Stanley, B. (2006). Borderline personality disorder, stigma, and treatment implications. Harvard review of psychiatry, 14(5), 249-256. https://doi.org/10.1080/10673220600975121

Black, D. W., Pfohl, B., Blum, N., McCormick, B., Allen, J., North, C. S., ... & Zimmerman, M. (2011). Attitudes toward borderline personality disorder: a survey of 706 mental health clinicians. CNS spectrums, 16(3), 67-74. Doi:10.1017/C109285291200020X

Blascovich, J., Mendes, W. B., Hunter, S. B., Lickel, B., & Kowai-Bell, N. (2001). Perceiver threat in social interactions with stigmatized others. Journal of personality and social psychology, 80(2), 253. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.80.2.253

Brown, M. Z., Comtois, K. A., & Linehan, M. M. (2002). Reasons for suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury in women with borderline personality disorder. Journal of abnormal psychology, 111(1), 198. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-843X.111.1.198

Choi-Kain, L. W., Reich, D. B., Masland, S. R., Iliakis, E. A., & Ilagan, G. S. (2020). Longitudinal course of borderline personality disorder: What every clinician needs to know. Current Treatment Options in Psychiatry, 7(3), 429-445.

Corrigan, P. W. (2000). Mental health stigma as social attribution: Implications for research methods and attitude change. Clinical psychology: science and practice, 7(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1093/clipsy.7.1.48

Corrigan, P. W., & Penn, D. L. (1999). Lessons from social psychology on discrediting psychiatric stigma. American psychologist, 54(9), 765. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.54.9.765

Corrigan, P. W., River, L. P., Lundin, R. K., Penn, D. L., Uphoff-Wasowski, K., Campion, J.,.. & Kubiak, M. A. (2001). Three strategies for changing attributions about severe mental illness. Schizophrenia bulletin, 27(2), 187-195. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a006865

Couture, S., & Penn, D. (2003). Interpersonal contact and the stigma of mental illness: A review of the literature. Journal of mental health, 12(3), 291-305. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638231000118276

Pettigrew, T. F., & Tropp, L. R. (2008). How does intergroup contact reduce prejudice?

Watson, A. C., Otey, E., Westbrook, A. L., Gardner, A. L., Lamb, T. A., Corrigan, P. W., & Fenton, W. S. (2004). Changing middle schoolers' attitudes about mental illness through education. Schizophrenia bulletin, 30(3), 563-572. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.schbul.a007100