"I am secretary, therapist, maid, nurse": a qualitative exploration of lived experiences of caring for a family member with a BPD diagnosis.

BACKGROUND

Informal caring is an increasingly common phenomenon. Experiences of mental health caring are not well-researched, and few studies focus on experiences of family carers supporting individuals with a Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) diagnosis.

AIMS: This research explores lived experiences of people in caring roles for family members diagnosed with BPD.

METHODS

Seventy-two participants who identified as carers to a loved one diagnosed with BPD completed an online qualitative survey. Six of these participants took part in follow-up interviews, and three completed a follow-up survey. Survey responses and interviews were compiled and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Two main themes were developed. "Labour of Love" involved experiences of burden and strain, and "Self as Secondary" incorporated feeling unheard and obliged to censor one's own behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, this research broadens awareness of how a mental health diagnosis and a diagnosis of BPD specifically can have a broader, systemic impact on not only the individuals diagnosed, but their families and those providing support to them, and suggests that provision of support by healthcare providers to carers is necessary.