Uncovering the mask of borderline personality disorder: knowledge to empower primary care providers.
OBJECTIVE
This manuscript will provide a review of the literature and a report on the findings of a qualitative study that explored the lived experiences of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD). It also offers resources designed to empower healthcare professionals to provide timely and accurate referrals, diagnosis, or collaborative management of BPD in primary care.


METHODS
Review of the literature examining background, epidemiology, pharmacotherapy, psychotherapy, and available resources regarding BPD. Content analysis conducted on data obtained from 1109 postings on three different public online forums/blogs specifically for BPD.


CONCLUSIONS
BPD is characterized by unstable moods, behaviors, and relationships. While navigating a healthcare system fraught with health disparities, BPD sufferers may have their feelings of abandonment and hopelessness reinforced. Four core themes emerged (a) a reliance on online blogging to cope; (b) a quality of life that is impacted by debilitating effects of condition; (c) coping mechanisms that encompass healthy and destructive measures; and (d) social injustices that include stigmatization, prejudice, delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis, limited healthcare access, and lack of cure.


CONCLUSIONS
Knowledgeable, nonjudgmental primary healthcare providers can play a key role in providing BPD sufferers and their loved ones with accurate and timely diagnosis, referral, treatment, resources, and support. Internet blogging may have important implications in care.
Department of Nursing, School of Health Professions and Studies, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, Michigan.
Hiba
H
Wehbe-Alamah
Susan
S
Wolgamott
D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life
Content analysis; borderline personality; disparities; internet blogs; mental health; research