Debate: "The-Diagnosis-That-Must-Not-Be-Named" - Professionals' fear of BPD is failing their patients.

Abstract

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) seems to be the "Voldemort Diagnosis" - it must not be named! We believe this is misguided and dangerous. Failure to inform patients and carers of the potential for this diagnosis disempowers them. Everyone has a right to research and understand their own condition. The absence of honest diagnoses leaves young people feeling "mad and bad" and losing trust in professionals' ability to help them. Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is not a suitable substitute diagnosis (at least not for our daughters). Failure to identify BPD symptoms in young people means CAMHS services are not investing in the treatments needed by these young people - often leading to the kind of inpatient stays that Guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) warn against - and to further deterioration.