A brief critique of the pseudo-diagnosis 'complex emotional needs'.

Porter, Hat; Edwards, Bethan; Head, Nell; Smith, Jee · Br J Psychiatry · 2025

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

'Complex emotional needs' has emerged in the UK as a label to refer to individuals given a diagnosis of a personality disorder. We argue that this name change is insufficient to address the harms associated with the personality disorder construct; rather, it risks broadening its scope, and thereby the construct's harms.

Medical subject headings