Stigma and taboo
![Two office workers, one standing and reviewing papers, the other seated and smoking, in a 1970s-style office with a telephone and stacks of paperwork.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/af84edb1-61ee-41ad-aaad-e9c106a75dbe/rt-final-par159357.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Personality disorders
idea
Popular views of narcissism are distorted and too pessimistic
As therapists, we’ve treated people with narcissistic personality disorder. We have a more hopeful story to tell about them
by Giancarlo Dimaggio & Igor Weinberg
![A smiling neurodiverse child holds a red balloon. In the background people hold balloons of various colours](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/a18337c8-35ae-4777-8561-3a3f1cc9da86/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Neurodiversity
idea
Essentialism is insidious – but it might also be helpful
Stereotypes are obviously bad, but believing you share an essence with others could help people who feel marginalised
by Ariana Orvell & Alexa Lebrón-Cruz
![Back view of a man holding a child at an outdoor evening gathering with string lights in the background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/e32d389b-ba16-49c7-a996-c62b133466f1/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Stigma and taboo
guide
How to talk about your mental illness
Careful disclosure can be highly rewarding. Use tips from the Honest, Open, Proud programme to share your story
by Carla Kundert & Patrick W Corrigan
![Person wearing an electronic ankle monitor, resting on a floral-patterned sofa with a red cushion and a book beside them.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/8dd86acd-cb00-4d19-af57-c75ec14f79c2/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Stigma and taboo
idea
The families of people who commit sex crimes need care and support
While they deal with a kind of grief, the relatives of those who harm others sexually are subject to blame and judgment
by Azadeh Nematy
![A small black puppy lying on a couch with a man in a red checkered shirt sitting in the background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/892407e7-95db-4368-b5d7-256382821702/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Personality disorders
idea
There’s a growing case for renaming ‘personality disorders’
The concept of personality disorders has been around for centuries but it’s flawed and needs both a rethink and a new name
by Matt Huston
![Abstract image with textured orange and purple hues, featuring a dark silhouette of a person in the centre on an ageing, rough paper background.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/49077518-992e-4252-ae6f-95aab6625343/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
Personality disorders
idea
People with BPD need compassion yet even clinicians stigmatise them
Both clinicians and laypeople misunderstand and stigmatise borderline personality disorder. Those who have it deserve better
by Sara Rose Masland & Hannah E A Peeples
![Shadows of people on a sunny day cast on a stone wall, with one person holding a mobile phone while walking past.](https://images.aeonmedia.co/images/43581d6d-0355-4ec6-a434-dacba4e12020/original.jpg?width=3840&quality=75&format=auto)
History of ideas
idea
Worried you’re not normal? Don’t be – there’s no such thing
The history of ‘normal’ tells a tale of prejudice and bad maths. The most usual thing about people is how much we differ
by Sarah Chaney