Disturbing Experience

I was brought into the DECH ER in November 2011 in distress. At the time, I was in an abusive relationship and was suffering from depression, suicidal ideation, and frequent anxiety and panic attacks. I was seen by Dr. Anthony Njoku that night.

We interacted for less than 15 minutes total, at which point he diagnosed me with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). I didn't feel listened to at any point during our interaction, and he essentially took it upon himself to tell me why I felt and behaved the way I did, rather than discussing what had happened from my perspective. He was extremely unkind and unprofessional, essentially siding with my abuser in that moment.

I have never accepted this diagnosis as valid, and have gone on to receive actual help in the intervening years after receiving an accurate diagnosis. However, this experience has caused me a lot of trauma and has made me reluctant to ever seek medical help in your facility again.

I am also concerned to see the Dr. Njoku is now the Head of the Psychiatry department, particularly after hearing stories from others who have visited the DECH ER for similar issues, and who have come away with a similar BPD diagnosis - most notably Lexie Daikin; her diagnosis of BPD in the DECH ER was documented in a recent inquest into the events surrounding her death.

I believe there is a trend in the DECH ER of rapidly diagnosing patients - primarily female patients - who arrive in extreme distress with a very serious personality disorder, which unfortunately carries a lot of stigma. This feels reckless, cruel, and potentially dangerous. I feel this should be addressed.