This is a short note on my personal preference for the term Borderline Personality Disorder, as opposed to Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder.

To me, ’emotionally unstable’ is a term I heard a lot growing up used to describe hysterical middle-aged bunny-boilers. I find the term incredibly stigmatising. My ‘personality’ is not ’emotionally unstable.’ I am kind, and compassionate, and funny (or so I like to think) and I find this term incredibly negative. When you look up synonyms for ‘unstable’ some that pop up (some of which are in regards to mental health) are:

• unhinged
• deranged
• demented
• unbalanced
• disturbed
• unsafe

I do not identify with these words.

I have intense emotional responses which I struggle to regulate due to previous traumatic experiences. I also find my experiences are far more complex than pure ’emotional instability’ – I actually feel empty and numb for a large amount of my time, so my emotions there are preeeettttty stable.

The term ‘Borderline’ relates to the early observations that patients appeared to be high functioning, but appeared to be wearing a mask hiding deeper pain; they were on the borderline of insanity. To me, I do somewhat relate to this. I function well in my day to day life, but have frequent, short bursts of intense emotional reactions, which I cope with using inappropriate mechanisms.

I also find its easier to distance personal responsibility with BPD as opposed to EUPD, as the term ’emotionally unstable’ to me somehow implies a level of control, which I certainly don’t have, over my emotions.

This is totally my preference, and I have full respect for those who prefer EUPD as a term. I just wanted to highlight why I choose not to use that term.

L x