Methinks she doth protest too much!

Prudence didn't diagnose anything. She suggested there might be a general problem that caused the stepdaughter to act the way she did.

LaLeonessa:

That entails sysmptoms including daily or hourly wild mood swings, attachment problems (such as becoming hysterical when a loved one becomes removed physically or emotionally), emotional manipulation, self-harm, suicidal impulses, extreme anti-social behaviour (and this doesn't mean "oh that wasn't very polite.")

People with this diagnosis have serious problems, and these are often rooted in past traumas. They deserve understanding, patience and empathy, and people who care for BPD patients deserve a bit of understanding about what they go through. Their suffering should not be diminished, and negative stereotypes and experiences do not need to be called upon for Prudence to make her point that she thought the step-daughter's behaviour is rude.

What about the suffering of all the people who these people hurt? Maybe you should defend them also.

There are so many diagnosable disorders now (have you seen how thick Abnormal Psychology is?) that every person on earth could spend a couple hours with a shrink and come out with at least one or two diagnoses attached to them. Suddenly, they have a disease and no longer have to answer for their unacceptable actions. Medicate everyone so they don't ever have to experience any emotions other than complete euphoria. GIVE ME A BREAK!

The psychologists and psychiatrists have school loans to pay for and children that need an education. They are taking advantage of those same people they say we should have sympathy for.

I am sure there are plenty of people thatdeserve sympathy and understanding for their personality disorders. It doesn't make awful behavior any more acceptable. Society sets the mores and values, Those who don't adhere to those can just expect problems. That is just life. A person is nasty to me for no reason, they can fully expect to be called on it. I don't care if they have an "ism" or an acronym ending in D to explain it away.