I was sectioned with delusional psychosis in 2020. I never caused harm to anyone including myself, and simply had an odd belief that was considered pathological. No-one asked me what led me to my odd belief. Instead I was drugged against my consent while in hospital, and for two years after being released. These drugs caused unbearable side effects, and when I tapered off, years of withdrawal effects.

Long after letting go of my odd belief, and wanting a second child, as I had always planned, I booked an appointment with the mental health trust’s prenatal psychiatrist to request to stop being forcibly drugged so that I could safely become pregnant.

At the appointment I was calm, friendly and polite. I was told that if I wished to become pregnant, they would inject me with a different antipsychotic that had no randomised controlled tests for pregnant women, and so had not yet been proven to cause fetal abnormalities. I was not allowed the option to taper off the drug in order to safely become pregnant. Having become used to this denial of choice over my own body, I politely declined, left, and did not try to have a second child.

Years later, when I made a subject access request for my medical notes, I found that this doctor, having only seen me once, and not having asked any questions related to my behaviour, had signed a document “diagnosing” me with emotionally unstable personality disorder.

I was not informed of this diagnosis.

The diagnosis was carried out on behalf of the hospital that had sectioned me, six months after I had been released, six months after I had cut all ties with this hospital. Throughout my stay, despite staff bullying and mistreatment, I had remained calm and controlled at all times, never once raising my voice, never once crying. I believe that this diagnosis was put in my notes as a bullying tactic, with no motive of care or treatment.

If I wish to apply for another job, I will undoubtedly be asked for a medical, and undoubtedly the mental health records will be examined, and details of my “personality disorder diagnosis” will be passed on to my new employer. Would you want to hire someone who is so emotionally unstable that their personality is deemed permanently broken? I thought not.

Speak your truth: your own experiences can help create change

If you want to share your experiences around this diagnosis you can take part in Platfform’s Truth Project.

Platfform are campaigning for a review of the use of the diagnosis of PD. Add your voice to our call for change by sharing your story. We will share these with Welsh Government and use them to strengthen our campaign.

For more information, and to access the survey, click here.

If you are in a mental health crisis, please read this paragraph

If you have been affected by anything in this story and would like to talk to someone you can call Samaritans on 116 123. You can also call the national mental health support line for advice on 111 (press 2.)