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Personality Disorders

Disclaimer:

This publication is based on a Mind UK publication and the original version may be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/

Thank you to Mind UK for sharing their valuable content with us. Content included in Mental Health A-Z is made available free of charge and does not form part of any commercial activity. The adaptation has been done independently by Mind HK and is intended for general information purposes only.

Why is it controversial? 

Our understanding of mental health problems is constantly evolving. So is the language we use when talking about them. The diagnosis of ‘personality disorder’ can be controversial because: 

  • specialists disagree about how to understand personality disorders 
  • it doesn’t take social context into enough account 
  • the term itself can be stigmatising. 

Some people with this diagnosis hold the view that their feelings and behaviours are a reasonable, human reaction to going through difficult life experiences. So it’s unhelpful and upsetting to call it an illness or ‘disorder’ in their personality. They argue that professionals should consider what in their life may have contributed to their difficulties, and help with these. Not focus on finding problems in them as an individual. 

On the other hand, some people find that getting this diagnosis helps them to name and understand their experiences, to explain themselves to other people, and sometimes get treatment and support they otherwise might not. 

Mind HK is committed to ensuring that voices on all sides of this debate are heard. This includes those who: 

  • understand their experiences and behaviours as a disorder 
  • think of them as a natural reaction to adversity 
  • reject the personality disorder label 
  • do not fully agree with the label but accept it being as a way to access support. 

Specialists disagree about how to understand personality disorders 

The system of personality disorder diagnosis we list on our page on types of personality disorder is the one psychiatrists tend to use in the UK. However, some psychiatrists disagree with its use and find it unhelpful because:

  • Most people who are diagnosed with a personality disorder do not fit any one category, and may be diagnosed with more than one. 
  • Some people believe the focus should instead be on what each person needs in order to deal with their problems and discover new ways of living, not what category they are in. 

It doesn’t take social context into enough account 

People are complicated. There are many social factors that can affect our capacity to cope, to relate to others and to respond to stress. For example: 

  • Experiencing trauma in childhood (such as abuse or neglect), or trauma that lasted for a long time. 
  • Issues to do with your situation and environment, such as poverty and social deprivation, or having to move home to a totally new place or culture. 
  • Experiencing stigma and discrimination, like racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia or transphobia. 
  • If people have treated you badly in past relationships (including your parents or carers). 

Any of these can lead to you often feeling overwhelmed with unbearable feelings. This can make it very difficult to deal with the daily challenges of adult life. For more information on how traumatic experiences may affect your mental health, see our pages on trauma. 

The term itself can be stigmatising 

Some people feel that the term ‘personality disorder’ can sound very judgmental. Being given a diagnosis or label of personality disorder can feel as if you’re being told there’s something wrong with who you are. You may feel upset, insulted and excluded. Language evolves and it may be that a different term will be used by professionals in future. 

“Stigma can sometimes come from the professionals themselves, whether intentionally or not.” 

It’s important to remember that you’re not alone – there are other people out there experiencing what you are. However you choose to make sense of your difficulties, you deserve to be treated fairly. Here are some options you can consider: 

  • Show people this information to help them understand more about what your diagnosis really means. 
  • Get involved in your treatment – our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem provide guidance on having your say in your treatment.

That said, it takes energy to challenge stigma. When you are particularly unwell you may not have the capacity to do any of these things. Be kind to yourself and try not to put yourself under pressure to do anything other than rest and recover when that is what you need. 

“The stigma of being violent and dangerous is the worst for me. I am a caring and empathetic soul who would do anything for the people I love.” 

Could my diagnosis be wrong? 

Some symptoms of personality disorder can be very similar to, or appear alongside, other mental health problems. Depending on your mood and what’s happening in your life when you speak to mental health professionals, they might find it hard to identify the diagnosis that best fits your experiences. 

If you’re worried that your diagnosis doesn’t reflect the way you feel, it’s important to discuss it with a mental health professional so you can make sure you’re getting the right treatment and support to help you.

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What is iACT Service?

Improving Access to Community Therapies (iACT®) is one of the services from Mind HK. Trained Wellbeing Practitioners will offer initial assessment and early intervention for people dealing with mild to moderate symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other emotional difficulties.

 

The service includes 6-8 sessions of low-intensity psychological support, the flexibility of the service allows individuals to receive free and timely support when needed.

If you’re aged between 18 – 65 and are facing some emotional challenges, we would like to invite you to take an online assessment for us to gain a better understanding of your current emotional struggle.

 

If you’re eligible, we’ll get you connected with a Wellbeing Practitioner within two weeks to sort out the next steps.

The service runs for about 3 months and includes 6-8 support sessions, tailored to your needs.

 

We encourage you to attend all sessions and actively practice the tips and exercises provided by your Wellbeing Practitioner.

We take your privacy seriously. Your chats with the Wellbeing Practitioner are confidential.

 

We won’t share any of your info unless you’ve provided consent or if there are risks detected.

This programme isn’t suitable for people facing emergencies, major setbacks, or those diagnosed with serious or complex mental health conditions.

 

If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, this programme might not meet your needs, so please seek help right away. You can check out Mind HK’s “Find Help Now” page for immediate information and services.

Most of our Wellbeing Practitioners have backgrounds in psychology or counselling and are passionate about mental health. They’ve gone through about 140 hours of intensive training and completed at least 120 hours of supervised clinical practice over 9 months to ensure the quality of service.

 

They’re trained by accredited local experts in the mental health field, including clinical psychologists, counselling psychologists, counsellors, and psychiatrists. Plus, we regularly check how effective our services are. All service outputs and performances are subject to consistent monitoring.

Who is suitable for participating in this programme?

This programme welcomes anyone between the ages of 18 and 65 who may be feeling lost or facing emotional difficulties. Please note that this programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions.

This programme is not suitable for individuals diagnosed with severe or complex mental health conditions, but suitable for those who experience mild to severe moderate anxiety, mild to moderate depression, or other emotional challenges. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

After signing up, our Wellbeing Practitioner will contact you within two weeks to schedule a convenient time for a 45-minute conversation, either via video or phone call, according to your preference. During the conversation, the Wellbeing Practitioner will understand your current situation and help you gain a better understanding of your emotional state based on the questionnaire you filled out during application. Additionally, they will provide recommendations for appropriate community resources based on your needs, helping you take an important first step in taking care of your mental health.

Although the intervention procedure is mostly standardised, Wellbeing Practitioners will work flexibly with clients to address individual presenting problems and unique characteristics.

Our Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to support people who experience mild to moderate mental health difficulties primarily. This programme is not suitable for the situations mentioned above. If you are currently experiencing a major setback or even having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please visit the “Find Help Now” page on our Mind HK’s website for immediate information and services.

Your conversations with the Wellbeing Practitioner are absolutely confidential. Any information about you will not be shared with anyone without your consent unless you or others are at immediate risk or the Wellbeing Practitioner has reason to believe that you may be in imminent danger.
Supervisors will monitor trainees’ development throughout the placement to ensure that they are meeting the required level of competency to pass the training course at the end of the placement.

Yes, it is necessary to book an appointment in advance by filling out the form. Additionally, you can select one of the five stores yourself. We will allocate clients to different Wellbeing Practitioners based on their chosen location.

Before having the conversation, we will ask you to fill out a basic questionnaire for preliminary screening assessment. This screening process aims to ensure that the training received by the Wellbeing Practitioners is sufficient to meet the needs of the individuals receiving the service. If it is determined after the screening assessment that the service is not suitable for you, Mind HK will provide alternative recommendations to ensure your safety and support.

For adults who are suitable for this service, all Wellbeing Practitioners have received training on how to identify and respond to safety and risk issues. If you have any concerns about the support process, the Wellbeing Practitioners have appropriate measures in place and will develop response plans based on the urgency of the situation. They can also access support from clinical practitioners from Mind HK or participating organisations.

What private training does Mind HK provide?

Mind HK provides 4 themes of mental health training, including: Supporting Self, Supporting Others, Family Wellbeing and DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion).

 

Check out the brochure here for more information.

Mind HK provides a wide range of standardised mental health training, which can be tailored to different circumstances. Chat with our team to explore more! 

Our trainers come from a diverse, accredited pool of clinically experienced professionals. Check out our trainers’ biographies here.

Yes, the Mental Health First Aid class of Mind HK is internationally accredited by the MHFA International. The content and certification is delivered by trainers certified from the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong. You can find out our trainers accreditation here.

We are here to support your mental health education journey! Reach out to us and chat with our team.

Why is it controversial?

Why is it controversial? 

Our understanding of mental health problems is constantly evolving. So is the language we use when talking about them. The diagnosis of 'personality disorder' can be controversial because: 

  • specialists disagree about how to understand personality disorders 
  • it doesn't take social context into enough account 
  • the term itself can be stigmatising. 

Some people with this diagnosis hold the view that their feelings and behaviours are a reasonable, human reaction to going through difficult life experiences. So it's unhelpful and upsetting to call it an illness or 'disorder' in their personality. They argue that professionals should consider what in their life may have contributed to their difficulties, and help with these. Not focus on finding problems in them as an individual. 

On the other hand, some people find that getting this diagnosis helps them to name and understand their experiences, to explain themselves to other people, and sometimes get treatment and support they otherwise might not. 

Mind HK is committed to ensuring that voices on all sides of this debate are heard. This includes those who: 

  • understand their experiences and behaviours as a disorder 
  • think of them as a natural reaction to adversity 
  • reject the personality disorder label 
  • do not fully agree with the label but accept it being as a way to access support. 

Specialists disagree about how to understand personality disorders 

The system of personality disorder diagnosis we list on our page on types of personality disorder is the one psychiatrists tend to use in the UK. However, some psychiatrists disagree with its use and find it unhelpful because:

  • Most people who are diagnosed with a personality disorder do not fit any one category, and may be diagnosed with more than one. 
  • Some people believe the focus should instead be on what each person needs in order to deal with their problems and discover new ways of living, not what category they are in. 

It doesn't take social context into enough account 

People are complicated. There are many social factors that can affect our capacity to cope, to relate to others and to respond to stress. For example: 

  • Experiencing trauma in childhood (such as abuse or neglect), or trauma that lasted for a long time. 
  • Issues to do with your situation and environment, such as poverty and social deprivation, or having to move home to a totally new place or culture. 
  • Experiencing stigma and discrimination, like racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia or transphobia. 
  • If people have treated you badly in past relationships (including your parents or carers). 

Any of these can lead to you often feeling overwhelmed with unbearable feelings. This can make it very difficult to deal with the daily challenges of adult life. For more information on how traumatic experiences may affect your mental health, see our pages on trauma. 

The term itself can be stigmatising 

Some people feel that the term 'personality disorder' can sound very judgmental. Being given a diagnosis or label of personality disorder can feel as if you're being told there's something wrong with who you are. You may feel upset, insulted and excluded. Language evolves and it may be that a different term will be used by professionals in future. 

"Stigma can sometimes come from the professionals themselves, whether intentionally or not." 

It's important to remember that you're not alone – there are other people out there experiencing what you are. However you choose to make sense of your difficulties, you deserve to be treated fairly. Here are some options you can consider: 

  • Show people this information to help them understand more about what your diagnosis really means. 
  • Get involved in your treatment – our pages on seeking help for a mental health problem provide guidance on having your say in your treatment.

That said, it takes energy to challenge stigma. When you are particularly unwell you may not have the capacity to do any of these things. Be kind to yourself and try not to put yourself under pressure to do anything other than rest and recover when that is what you need. 

"The stigma of being violent and dangerous is the worst for me. I am a caring and empathetic soul who would do anything for the people I love." 

Could my diagnosis be wrong? 

Some symptoms of personality disorder can be very similar to, or appear alongside, other mental health problems. Depending on your mood and what's happening in your life when you speak to mental health professionals, they might find it hard to identify the diagnosis that best fits your experiences. 

If you're worried that your diagnosis doesn't reflect the way you feel, it's important to discuss it with a mental health professional so you can make sure you're getting the right treatment and support to help you.