How Is a Label of Borderline Personality Disorder Constructed on Twitter: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex diagnosis with significant social implications.
• Understanding how individuals with BPD construct their identity in relation to the diagnosis is crucial for mental health discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the social construction of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) among individuals who identify with the diagnosis.
• To analyze the interpretative repertoires used by Twitter users to describe their experiences with BPD.

Main Methods:

• A social constructionist approach was adopted.
• Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) was used to analyze 225 personal tweets.
• Tweets from professionals and blog links were excluded to focus on user-generated content.

Main Results:

• Two primary interpretative repertoires emerged: BPD as an 'existence of tension' and BPD as a 'different existence'.
• Users negotiated their relationship with BPD, influencing their sense of agency and control.
• Self-identification with BPD was often constructed in opposition to those without the diagnosis, potentially affecting healthcare engagement.

Conclusions:

• The language used by clinicians and professionals can inadvertently stigmatize or disempower individuals with BPD.
• Social media platforms offer insights into the lived experiences and self-perceptions of individuals with BPD.
• Further research is needed to explore the experience of stigmatization via social networking sites, considering the nuances of self-representation.