Historically, mental illness is a misunderstood and often feared health condition. Despite growing awareness and advocacy, those with mental health conditions often face discrimination and a lack of empathy. The legacy of stigma continues to influence societal attitudes.

Ableism, or discrimination against individuals with disabilities, extends beyond physical disabilities to include mental health conditions. Yet the ableism faced by those suffering from mental illness is often overlooked. Dismissive attitudes, patronizing behavior, and discriminatory practices exist in personal relationships, the workplace, and even healthcare settings.

Failing to recognize mental illness as a form of disability perpetuates stigma and hinders progress. For instance, Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) was formally recognized in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III), published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), in 1980. Until recently, many mental health professionals, and society-at-large, believed that BPD was untreatable. When Marsha Linehan developed Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in the late 1980s, it was used to help highly suicidal individuals, many of whom met the criteria for BPD.¹ The first randomized controlled trial demonstrating its efficacy was published in 1991.² However, in 2008, Kenneth R. Silk, MD, wrote an editorial in the April issue of the American Journal of Psychiatry suggesting that many therapists still felt BPD was untreatable.³ Since then, there’s been a significant shift in the mental health community’s understanding of BPD.

BPD is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed mental health conditions.⁴ Studies suggest that up to 40% of individuals with BPD have been previously misdiagnosed with other disorders, such as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.⁵ This high rate of misdiagnosis can delay proper treatment and support for those affected.

Society’s view of BPD has evolved over time, but there’s still a long way to go. Individuals with BPD are labeled as “difficult” or “unmanageable,” and often face discrimination and lack of empathy. Media portrayals have sometimes reinforced negative stereotypes, depicting those with BPD as erratic or dangerous.⁶ Mental health professionals and advocates have worked to educate the public about the complexities of BPD, emphasizing that it is a treatable condition.

It’s crucial to continue raising awareness and promoting accurate information to foster a more compassionate and supportive environment for those affected by mental illness. If someone were to say, “ableism is okay, as long as the disability is a mental illness,” most people would not agree. We have to do more to eliminate the stigmas. What are your thoughts on how society can better support those who suffer from mental illness?

1. History. ↩︎
2. History. ↩︎
3. Personality Disorder: “Untreatable” Myth Is Challenged ↩︎
4. Why Borderline Personality Disorder is Misdiagnosed | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness ↩︎
5. Borderline Personality Disorder Statistics ↩︎
6. Society’s Changing View of Borderline Personality | Psychology Today ↩︎