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Borderline Personality Disorder, Discrimination, and Survivors of Chronic Childhood Trauma
- IJFAB: International Journal of Feminist Approaches to Bioethics
- University of Toronto Press
- Volume 9, Number 1, Spring 2016
- pp. 218-245
- Article
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In this paper, I argue that the pervasive assignment of the psychiatric diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) to female survivors of chronic childhood trauma pathologizes their life experiences, behavior, and survival strategies. I build on Nancy Potter’s argument that diagnostic and clinical practices related to BPD are significantly informed by cultural and gender norms. I maintain that clinicians and society need to appreciate better the life experiences, social situations, and moral virtues of survivors. I conclude with a consideration of Judith Herman’s alternate diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and discuss various limitations of current mental health treatment of survivors.