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

Abstract

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.