Navigating a personality disorder diagnosis in an advice role

The financial advice profession has gotten better at talking about mental health in the workplace, but a lot of firms are still on a learning journey when it comes to supporting neurodivergent staff.

The reality of this was something that came crashing into focus for Charlotte Hughes, Quilter’s advice journey lead, when she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder five years ago. 

Borderline personality disorder, or BPD, is the most commonly recognised personality disorder, affecting around one in 100 individuals. But it is widely misunderstood and people with the condition often suffer from stigmatisation. 

It was like reading my own life story. 

Because it is a long-term illness, it is often thought of as a form of neurodiversity - an umbrella phrase used to describe the different ways a person's brain processes information. 

The most common types of neurodiversity are autism, ADHD, dyscalculia, dyslexia and dyspraxia.

“When you hear about personality disorders, like borderline personality disorder, it’s in a negative fashion,” Hughes told FTAdviser.

“I think back to last year and the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trial where [the media] were talking about how she had been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and how people with BPD are ‘always’ manipulative in relationships, are ‘always’ looking to destroy relationships…always this, always that, always the other. 

“No person with BPD is the same as another person with BPD. That’s why it is a personality disorder, it’s completely unique,” Hughes said. 

What is BPD?

The NHS describes BPD as a disorder of mood and how a person interacts with others. 

Mental health charity Mind describes it as a condition that means a person has difficulties with how they think and feel about themselves and other people and can make it hard to cope day-to-day.

Experiences of BPD are different for different people. 

For Hughes, receiving her diagnosis five years ago was a revelation. 

“I’ve always known I’m a bit different. I remember when I was little I couldn’t handle crying, I’m terrified of ET because it made me cry and I didn’t understand my emotions. I just thought it was me, that I was a little bit different,” Hughes said. 

In her late twenties and early thirties, Hughes’ mental health started to become a major issue for her and she described it as being “very dark”.