Mad and Bad? What you should know about Personality Disorders

What you'll learn:

1. What are personality disorders?

‘Personality disorder’ (PD) might be the most controversial & subjective of current psychiatric diagnoses. It’s about a pattern of behaviour & inner experience going against cultural norms which are persistent, pervasive, and pathological. But what does this mean for the person or those around them? These experiences are ‘clustered’ around certain specific diagnoses such as ‘antisocial personality disorder’.

2. Why are personality disorders controversial?

Are people with this diagnosis ‘mad, bad or deviant’? And if either of the latter two, does this have anything to do with psychiatry or medicine at all?

Why have highly stigmatising titles (‘borderline’, ‘narcissistic’, ‘schizoid’) re-entered modern discourse in an unhelpful way? Is there a convincing link between symptoms and diagnoses themselves?

3. What’s happening now?

The last 10-15 years have seen a huge groundswell of engagement by people given the ‘personality disorder’ title.

In 2019 the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) restructured the way PD was classified into a system of severity & a new diagnosis of ‘complex post-traumatic stress disorder’. Has this caused a crisis within the definition & clinical work?

4. What can be done?

Is psychiatry being asked to solve a social problem of people who don’t easily ‘fit’ into our communities & are often marginalised or ostracised? Is the ‘solution’ medicine, talking therapy or something else?

The Speaker

Professor Mark Freestone is Chief Education and Training Officer and Dean of Postgraduate Studies at The Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust, and Honorary Professor of Mental Health at the Centre of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Queen Mary University of London.

With a background in Sociology, Professor Freestone’s work focuses on public and forensic mental health – including research into the efficacy of treatments for those with mental health problems, specifically those at risk of violence or becoming victims of violence. He has consulted on forensic mental health issues for NHS England and the London Violence Reduction Programme, as well as for films and television shows, including the hit BBC drama series, Killing Eve and the recent HBO/BBC black comedy Rain Dogs. In 2020, he published a book based on his research and experiences in psychopathy, Making a Psychopath: My Journey into 7 Dangerous minds.

The Agenda

18:30-19:30 - Arrivals & structured networking/ice-breakers

Arrive, mingle and grab drinks. You'll have more time than ever before to meet others. You'll be moving between tables in small groups discussing intriguing discussion/ice-breaker questions (optional). If you want to meet like-minded young professionals you're welcome to join. This part of the event's ideal for anyone who works (or aspires to work) in psychology, neuroscience, education, healthcare or related fields. We'll also have an interactive pub psychology quiz in groups using your mobile phone.

19:30-20:05 - 'TED style' talk

Learn something new. You'll get

20:05 - 20:30 - Q and A

Question time - the chance to ask your questions about this topic and anything else you'd like to know with our expert speaker.

20:30 - 22:00 - Networking mingle

Informally meet our speaker and other likeminded people, continuing conversations, drinks, sharing knowledge and reflections. Whether you've got a personal or professional interest, you're welcome to join! This is a great way to expand your social and professional network.


The Venue

We'll be in the 'Green Room' (upstairs) at the Star of Kings pub - just a 5 minute walk from Kings Cross train/tube station. Further details about the pub can be found here.

This pub has a lovely array of craft beers, cocktails and soft drinks. The pub recently updated its menu to include a range of burgers from award-winning 'Filthy Buns'. You'll also be a short stroll from a number of restaurants around Kings Cross.

One of the few traditional pubs in Kings Cross, the Star of Kings boasts a large beer garden and classic arcade games downstairs.

FAQs – Pub psychology events

Who attends these events?

This event is open to anyone regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender. We welcome a range of age ranges. The idea is to learn about psychology, neuroscience and healthcare from experts, while meeting likeminded people. Come along if you have a personal interest in the subject matter and want to meet others. Many attendees have a professional interest working (or aspiring to work) in psychology, neuroscience, counselling, wellness and wellbeing, education, healthcare or related fields. Others simply have a personal interest in the topics. This is an ideal way to expand your social and professional network.

Will you sell tickets on the door?

No! All our tickets are sold before the event so please don't arrive on the day without a ticket as you'll be turned away. Pub psychology events are popular and tend to sell-out. Please get a ticket in advance!

I’m not sure if I’ll arrive in time after work. Should I still come?

Yes! If you have a ticket, please come whenever you can (ideally before the talk begins). For pub psychology events, most talks begin 45 minutes-1 hour after the scheduled start time. This gives you time to settle in, network with others and grab a drink or food.

Will I be able to network?

Yes! You're welcome to come along if you've got a personal or professional interest and/or want to meet new people. Based on feedback, we’ve added extended strcutured networking opportunities (icebreakers at the start of the event) and unstructured mingling opportunities (after the talk).

Can I attend alone?

Many, many people attend alone! For pub psychology events, we recommend arriving early for ice breakers. We’ll also have a pub psychology quiz arranged in groups and there’s always a friendly group of us who’ll stay for drinks afterwards so you'll have plenty of opportunities to meet others.

Can I come just for the talk?

Absolutely! If you'd prefer to come along for just the expert 'TED style' talk (skipping the networking/mingling bits) you're more than welcome to arrive later and before the talk begins. Please keep in mind all seats are unreserved.

Are you on social media?

Yes - we are! Join our Whatsapp group to hear about the latest events: WhatsApp Group Invite

You can also follow us on Instagram: @Conn8cting

About us

Want to learn about psychology, neuroscience and healthcare while meeting like-minded people in London? You're in the right place. Exclusive educational talks and mingling events for young professionals. Conn8cting 'TED style' talks are ideal for anyone with a professional or personal interest in the topics and want to meet likeminded people.

Our talks cover every topic you can think of. From the psychology of laughter, happiness, decision-making and regret to psychosis, narcissism, incels, drugs and psychopaths. You'll learn interesting stuff delivered by experts, in-person.
Learn something new, meet someone new.🧠

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