Remember that an episode of stigmatisation isn’t about you.
Pay attention to the feelings rather than the facts being expressed. While the facts may be way-off, the underlying feelings between the lines are often real and even honest - “I feel scared”, “I feel worthless”, “I feel weak” etc.
If you feel comfortable, you can model “I” statements in your responses - “I feel scared when you say that”.
Remember that what the person is feeling is temporary and they will probably feel different in a few days or a few hours.
If necessary, you can verbally validate the name-caller’s feelings while rejecting the label and try to redirect the person with the Personality Disorder to the real issue - so long as you are able to stay in the conversation without feeling threatened or getting hurt, and so long as you aren’t exposing others - such as children - to the abuse.
Politely, briefly and calmly refuse to accept the label and state the truth ONE TIME ONLY.
End the conversation by taking a time-out even if the other person doesn’t want to.
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