Glossary

By "complex emotions," we mean experiences and feelings that are often confusing and difficult to manage. These may include challenges in relationships, fears of abandonment, difficulties regulating emotions, experiencing intense emotions or detachment (dissociation), and managing impulses like self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

Our hub is focused on research that aims to transform care and improve outcomes for those who experience complex emotional difficulties. Many people with these experiences are given the diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), a label that is often problematic. It is associated with stigma, prejudice, and misunderstandings by health professionals.

Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), also referred to as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), is a diagnosis given to some people who experience the complex difficulties described above. No two people with BPD have exactly the same symptoms, which is one reason we’re undertaking this research. Tragically, around 10% of people diagnosed with BPD die by suicide, making it a life-threatening condition.

Some individuals never receive a diagnosis, while others do but find it doesn’t lead to effective treatment. For many, the diagnosis can be stigmatising and detrimental to their health and well-being. BPD is most common among people who have experienced trauma, particularly early in life, which can impact brain development and stress responses. Some suggest that "complex post-traumatic stress disorder" (CPTSD) might be a more helpful diagnosis, as it highlights the role of trauma.

Despite advances, we still know too little about how to help people with BPD. While psychological treatments are available, they can be hard to access. Additionally, despite the fact that over 90% of people with BPD are prescribed psychiatric medications, there is no clear scientific evidence that these medications are effective.

Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after experiencing prolonged or repeated trauma, often in situations where a person feels trapped and unable to escape. This could include long-term abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or captivity. Unlike PTSD, which can result from a single traumatic event, cPTSD is linked to ongoing trauma.

You may hear other names for BPD, such as:

• Emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD)

• Emotional intensity disorder (EID)

• Borderline pattern personality disorder (borderline pattern PD)

It's your choice which term, if any, you use. People have very different views.

Phenotyping is a way of describing and understanding the characteristics or traits of a person, animal, or plant. These traits can include things like how someone looks (eye color, height), their behavior (how they respond to stress), or how their body works (like their blood pressure or immune response). Phenotyping helps scientists study how these traits are linked to genetics, environment, and other factors. It's used in medicine to understand why some people are more likely to get certain diseases or respond differently to treatments.

Ecological Momentary Analysis (EMA) is a way of studying people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in real-time, as they go about their daily lives. Instead of asking people to remember what they felt or did at a later time (which can be hard), EMA involves collecting data at the moment it happens.

For example, someone might get a notification on their phone asking how they’re feeling right now, or what they’re doing, several times a day. This method helps researchers understand how emotions or behaviors change throughout the day, in real-world settings, giving a more accurate picture of a person’s experiences.

A "wearable" is a small electronic device that you can wear on your body, like a watch or bracelet. These devices often have sensors that can track things like your heart rate, physical activity, sleep, and sometimes even stress levels. Smartwatches are a common type of wearable. They collect data while you're going about your day, making it easy to monitor your health or activity without needing to do anything extra.

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are digital versions of a person's medical history that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers use to store and manage patient information. These records include details like medical test results, diagnoses, treatments, medications, and notes from healthcare visits. Unlike paper records, EHRs can be shared easily between different healthcare providers, helping to improve the coordination of care and ensure that important health information is available when needed.