Personality disorder patients let down by ‘misleading’ diagnosis

Platfform are a mental health and social change charity who are currently campaigning for an urgent review of the use of Personality Disorders.

”We’ve seen in our clinical practice, experience in projects and services, as well as from people we’ve spoken to, that it can often be misused and is a diagnosis for exclusion,” said Dr Jen Daffin, a clinical psychologist with Platfform.

”The majority of people we work with have either experience of trauma and adversity in their childhood or they have differences that are being obscured by the diagnosis such as neurodiversity or a diagnosis of autism.”

Platfform are not alone in their criticisms.

In June this year, hundreds of medical professionals, including former Health Minister Sir Norman Lamb signed a letter to the health secretary asking for the diagnosis to be abandoned for children.

They point to the ”misleading and stigmatising” consequences of the label.

In October, after years of battling against her diagnosis, Jess has finally had the diagnosis removed.

She is now waiting for an autism assessment.

Jess complained about her treatment to her local health board in 2017 which has since changed names and boundaries.

Cwm Taf Morgannwg, who are now responsible for Jess’ care, said: “Jessica’s concerns about her experiences of care at Princess of Wales Hospital pre-date the establishment of our health board.

”However, we have worked closely with Jessica to learn from her experiences, as part of our commitment to continuous improvement in mental health services, both in our hospitals and in the community.”

Swansea Bay University, formerly ABMU health board, said ”Patient confidentiality prevents us from commenting on individual cases.”

The Welsh Government said: “We recently consulted on our draft Mental Health and Well-being Strategy which set out our approach over the next 10 years for trauma informed, person centred, and evidence based mental health support in Wales.”

It added that it will aim to publish its strategy later this year.

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