Anti-social Personality Disorder mistaken for BPD - when people get it wrong

I was disturbed to read this column in which Caroline Hutchinson of (apparently) “Mix FM” (some sort of radio station) said this about a story in which a boy was bullyed at a disco in Sydney. What I find troubling about her post about the incident is this… She says:

There is a diagnosable condition known as a personality disorder. According to the American Psychiatric Association personality disorder typically rears its ugly head in late adolescence but, in rarer instances, childhood. It’s subjective, but a person with borderline personality disorder, should exhibit three or more of the following:

1. Failure to conform to lawful social norms – repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;

2. Deceitfulness – repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;

3. Impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;

4. Irritability and aggressiveness – repeated physical fights or assaults;

5. Reckless disregard for safety of self or others;

6. Consistent irresponsibility – repeated failure to sustain consistent work behaviour or honour financial obligations;

7. Lack of remorse – being indifferent to or rationalising having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another.

I’m no psychologist but if you ticked too many of those boxes for yourself or a loved one, with a GP’s referral you can see a qualified psychologist for free in Australia. One referral entitles any Medicare cardholder to 12 free consultations and 12 group sessions.

No, you’re not psychologist all right. The criteria to which she is referring is the criteria for Anti-social Personality disorder, not Borderline Personality Disorder. I think before you post something about which you know next to nothing about, at least get it fact-checked.There’s already enough stigma around BPD without having people attribute ASPD criteria to it as well.

Related posts:

1. Four reasons bipolar disorder is accepted and borderline personality disorder is not
2. Social Problems in Teens Can Lead to Personality Disorders
3. It’s time to reject the notion that people with personality disorders are beyond help
4. Proposed Changes in the DSM-V for Borderline Personality Disorder
5. Casey Anthony: Borderline Personality Disorder, a Psychopath or What?
6. Understanding Major Depression With Borderline Personality Disorder?
7. People with Borderline Personality Disorder over diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder
8. Angelina Jolie and Borderline Personality Disorder (again)
9. A New Name for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)?
10. Study Illuminates the Pain of Social Rejection

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