Understanding the phenomenology of borderline personality disorder from the patient's perspective

TY - JOUR

T1 - Understanding the phenomenology of borderline personality disorder from the patient's perspective

AU - Black, Georgia

AU - Murray, Joanna

AU - Thornicroft, Graham

PY - 2014/4

Y1 - 2014/4

N2 - Background: Guidelines and clinical practice focuses on behavioural symptoms of borderline personality disorder, yet other experiences are more persistent and detrimental to psychosocial function. It is unclear how this relates to the experience of individuals with the diagnosis.Aims: To understand more about phenomenology of borderline personality disorder from the patient’s perspective.Methods: We interviewed nine people with a borderline personality disorder from specialist services in South London, UK. The data were analysed using a phenomenological qualitative method.Results: Individuals experienced frightening perceptual changes that were rationalised in meaningful ways. Participants related their intense experiences to their families, finding them both protective and burdensome.Conclusions: The results illuminate contradictory behaviours, offering content for clinical interventions. Particularly, this study has provided some novel perspectives about suicidality and interactions with family and friends.

AB - Background: Guidelines and clinical practice focuses on behavioural symptoms of borderline personality disorder, yet other experiences are more persistent and detrimental to psychosocial function. It is unclear how this relates to the experience of individuals with the diagnosis.Aims: To understand more about phenomenology of borderline personality disorder from the patient’s perspective.Methods: We interviewed nine people with a borderline personality disorder from specialist services in South London, UK. The data were analysed using a phenomenological qualitative method.Results: Individuals experienced frightening perceptual changes that were rationalised in meaningful ways. Participants related their intense experiences to their families, finding them both protective and burdensome.Conclusions: The results illuminate contradictory behaviours, offering content for clinical interventions. Particularly, this study has provided some novel perspectives about suicidality and interactions with family and friends.

KW - Borderline personality disorder

KW - phenomenology

KW - qualitative research

KW - SELF-HARM

U2 - 10.3109/09638237.2013.869570

DO - 10.3109/09638237.2013.869570

M3 - Article

SN - 0963-8237

VL - 23

SP - 78

EP - 82

JO - Journal of Mental Health

JF - Journal of Mental Health

IS - 2

ER -