This bias for borderline personality disorder, or BPD—a chronic mental illness known for impulsive behavior, people’s uncertainty about themselves and relationship difficulties—is more pronounced for sexual minorities than heterosexual individuals, says Craig Rodriguez-Seijas, U-M assistant professor of psychology.
“LGB persons are more likely to be given the diagnosis particularly when health care professionals are not paying attention to whether or not the behaviors observed among LGB persons cause any significant distress or impairment,” said Rodriguez-Seijas, lead author of a study that appears in the online journal Assessment.
Rodriguez-Seijas and Brown University colleagues used data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III to compare the differences in BP diagnosis among lesbian, gay and bisexual persons with heterosexual persons. The survey, conducted in 2012-2013, involved responses from more than 36,000 participants between 18 to 90 years old. About 1,100 (3%) identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual, while the rest were heterosexual.
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