Commentary: Bringing together lived experience, clinical and research expertise – a commentary on the May 2022 debate (should CAMH professionals be diagnosing personality disorder in adolescence?)

Hartley, Samantha, Baker, Charley, Birtwhistle, Michael, Burgess, Jennifer L, Chatburn, Eleanor, Cobbaert, Laurence, Howley, Maddie, Huggett, Charlotte, MacKenzie-Nash, Charlie, Newton, Alice, Parry, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5666-1997, Smith, Jee, Taylor, Christopher DJ, Taylor, Peter James and Timoclea, Robyn (2022) Commentary: Bringing together lived experience, clinical and research expertise – a commentary on the May 2022 debate (should CAMH professionals be diagnosing personality disorder in adolescence?). Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 27 (3). pp. 246-249. ISSN 1475-357X

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Abstract

Background: There is a wealth of evidence to suggest that the Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD, or similar Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, EUPD) construct is harmful. We provide a commentary on the ideas expressed in the May Debate issue, highlighting both concerns and alternatives. Method: We bring together lived experience, clinical, and research expertise. This commentary was written collaboratively drawing on all these sources of evidence. Results: We outline evidence that the BPD construct is invalid, harmful, not necessary for effective treatment and a potential block to the development and evaluation of alternatives. Conclusions: We ask readers to consider these concerns, perspectives, and ideas.