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?)

• Published in: Child and adolescent mental health Vol. 27; no. 3; pp. 246 - 249
• Main Authors: Hartley, Samantha, Baker, Charley, Birtwhistle, Michael, Burgess, Jennifer L., Chatburn, Eleanor, Cobbaert, Laurence, Howley, Maddie, Huggett, Charlotte, MacKenzie‐Nash, Charlie, Newton, Alice, Parry, Sarah, Smith, Jee, Taylor, Christopher D. J., Taylor, Peter James, Timoclea, Robyn
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.09.2022
• Subjects: adolescence; Borderline; Borderline personality disorder; Child & adolescent psychiatry; mental health; personality disorder
• ISSN: 1475-357X; 1475-3588
• DOI: 10.1111/camh.12586

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.