"It's us that have to deal with it seven days a week": carers and borderline personality disorder.
Carers provide unpaid support to family or friends with physical or mental health problems. This support may be within the domain of activities of daily living, such as personal care, or providing additional emotional support. While research has explored the carer experience within the National Health Service in the United Kingdom, it has not focused specifically on carers of individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Eight carers for those with a diagnosis of BPD were invited to take part in two focus groups. The first carers' focus group, entitled 'The role of Mental Health services,' produced four super-ordinate themes. The second carers' focus, entitled 'Experiences in the Community,' produced six super-ordinate themes. It seems carers of those with a diagnosis of BPD are continuing to be overlooked by mental health services, and subsequently require more support to ensure their own well-being.
Community Personality Disorder Service (CPDS), Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust The Orchards, Ashley Close, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 8EH, Hertfordshire, UK, ecdunne@hotmail.co.uk.
Emma
E
Dunne
Bertha
B
Rogers
D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom