Background: Family members of people living with borderline personality disorder (BPD) experience a considerable objective and subjective burden. This article aims to report on a study that explored family members’ lived experiences of having a sibling with BPD in South Africa.Method: This qualitative study used in-depth phenomenological individual interviews, supported by participant observations and field notes for data collection. Data were analysed using Tesch’s thematic coding.Results: Seven participants were interviewed, and three themes emerged from the collected data. The study revealed that participants experienced multiple challenges in understanding, gaining control, and struggling to cope with their own lives. Participants also experienced the impact of a lack of communication and education. Lastly, the study revealed that the participants used individual coping mechanisms to cope with having a sibling with BPD.Conclusions: This research illuminated the challenges experienced by family members of a sibling with BPD. These findings provide a basis for recommendations for mental health nurses to promote the mental health of affected family members.

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