Lost in translation: how a gendered analysis of Borderline Personality Disorder through the lens of masculinitycan help explain the current gender disparity in the diagnosis of BPD

Abstract

Ever since its inclusion in the DSM-III in 1980, Borderline Personality Disorder has elicited vivid discussions and controversy, especially surrounding the 3:1 female to male diagnostic ratio. Several theories have been proposed on why there is such a gender disparity in BPD, ranging from a neurobiological perspective, especially in the psychiatric field, to a socio-cultural perspective, mainly championed by feminist researchers. None of the proposed theories and their answers have been conclusive. This thesis proposes that this is because there has never been an attempt to integrate theories of masculinity in the existing analyses of BPD. This thesis attempts to bridge this theoretical gap by setting out why it is important to incorporate theories of masculinity in the current discussion surrounding BPD and how this would benefit both males and females diagnosed with this disorder. I have done this by reviewing and analyzing the most significant feminist and psychological arguments and offsetting those with masculinity theory.