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What do general adult psychiatry patients think we should call borderline personality disorder? A cross-sectional study to find the most acceptable diagnostic term

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: AIMS AND METHOD: To determine the most acceptable term for borderline personality disorder (BPD). We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients who know what it feels like to be diagnosed with a mental disorder. The main outcome measures were the proportion of participants offended and confused by alternative terms for BPD. RESULTS: < 0.01). Fluxithymia offended the fewest participants (13%), but was the most confusing term (31%). Emotionally unstable personality disorder was the most offensive term (63%). After fluxithymia, emotional intensity disorder was the least offensive term, and not especially confusing (11%). Changing BPD to emotional intensity disorder would avoid an offensive event every 3.6 diagnostic announcements. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The diagnostic term BPD should be replaced with emotional intensity disorder, because this term provides a balance of clarity and inoffensiveness.

Source: BJPsych Bulletin

DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2025.10128

Authors: David Hayward, Amy Fourie, Donald MacIntyre, Douglas Steele

Institutions: NHS Lothian, St John's Hospital, University of Edinburgh, University of Dundee

Language: English

Topic: Personality Disorders and Psychopathology

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4413306069