While waiting for the next post and video I felt it crucial to post this. Mental health is stigmatized enough, but personality disorders in particular are something that most people -regardless of what ‘color’ they are or where they come from- tend to want to ignore, sadly.
WHAT ARE PERSONALITY DISORDERS?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) American Psychiatric Association (2013), personality disorders can be explained as follows:
” Personality is the way of thinking, feeling and behaving that makes a person different from other people. An individual’s personality is influenced by experiences, environment (surroundings, life situations) and inherited characteristics. A person’s personality typically stays the same over time. A personality disorder is a way of thinking, feeling and behaving that deviates from the expectations of the culture, causes distress or problems functioning, and lasts over time. “
Read more about personality disorders here.
As someone who suffers from trauma related mental health issues, I know how shaming it may feel to admit, let alone have. It is hard enough sharing myself! And the stigma against personality disorders as a whole is not helped by the misunderstanding and stereotyping especially. In particular, borderline personality disorder is widely misrepresented as an abusive, controlling group of people who are all about themselves but in reality that is a rarity and the exact opposite is true.
Hollywood has taken disorders, such as Borderline PD, and misrepresented what they actually are. The majority of professionals in the medical field agree, mental illnesses and suffering should not be thrown about so carelessly, nor used for entertainment. I have to agree.
Back to the point.
I was excited to see a podcast by the name of BlackGirlPodcast not only speaking out on mental health; but on personality disorders as well! This is the sort of advancement the mental health community, especially within the Black community, need. I highly suggest educating oneself on personality disorders, and remembering there is no shame in having any mental illness. Reaching out for help is not weak, though it is understandable why so many don’t or rather, can’t. But that’s for another post.
In the episode spoken of, BlackGirlPodcast speaks with New York City based psychiatrist, Dr. Jessica Clemons, not only on mental health care, but even more impressive is their inclusion of about personality disorders and Black Mental Health Awareness.
Research and Writings on a Growing Crisis 