Personality disorder is often referred to as the “Cinderella” diagnosis of mental health. Around 1 in 20 people is estimated to have a personality disorder, and it is a neglected and under-resourced area of our healthcare system. In this week’s episode, we discuss the stigma surrounding personality disorder, which can often manifest itself in high levels of anxiety for both patients and GPs, when it comes to diagnosing and managing it, and how to help a patient come to terms with their diagnosis. 

With suicidal ideation being experienced by many people with a personality disorder on a regular basis, we also talk about how we may best manage a situation of a patient in crisis presenting in primary care.

Our guests:

Leisha Davies is a clinical psychologist, originally from South Africa, who currently works in private practice.

Soumitra Burman-Roy is a consultant psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. He also works for Maudsley Learning, an organisation which provides mental health training for primary care.

Marie Stella McClure, who was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder at the age of 38, is the author of ‘Borderline: a Memoir’, a book about her life and experiences of BPD.

Deep Breath In - EUPD with Leisha Davies, Soumitra Burman-Roy and Marie Stella McClure

BMJ talk medicine