Is contact with adult mental health services helpful for individuals with a diagnosable BPD? A study of service users views in the UK

Abstract

Background: Previous research in the UK has suggested that individuals with a diagnosable borderline personality disorder (BPD) have often found contact with adult mental health services unhelpful. In 2003, UK government guidance outlined how services might address this issue. Since this guidance, there has been little research that seeks to understand services users’ experiences of services and provide information about how services might improve.

Aims: To explore the experiences of individuals with a diagnosis of BPD in accessing adult mental health services and to better understand which aspects of contact with services can be helpful or unhelpful.

Methods: Nine service users with a diagnosable BPD were recruited through voluntary sector services in England. Semi-structured interviews were used and interview data was analysed using an inductive thematic analysis.

Results: Three themes were generated including “The diagnostic process influences how service users feel about BPD”, “Non-caring care” and “It’s all about the relationship”.

Conclusion: The participants’ accounts identify a number of practical points which services could implement to improve the experiences of service users.

• Borderline personality disorder
• BPD
• service users
• thematic analysis