A Life Tiptoeing: Being a Significant Other to Persons With Borderline Personality Disorder

Ekdahl, Susanne; Idvall, Ewa; Samuelsson, Mats; Perseius, Kent-Inge

doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2011.06.005

Cited by 45 publications

(55 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Qualitative information in the present study, visually represented in the concept map, suggests that caring for a person with personality disorder significantly affects relationships, including conflict and concern between family members and isolation from friends, consistent with findings from previous qualitative research (Ekdahl et al, 2011;Giffin, 2008;Goodman et al, 2011). Future research and the development of new guidelines may benefit from empirically ex- ploring the interpersonal experience of caregiving to understand the relational dynamics potentially contributing to the experience of burden and mental health problems (Grenyer, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Due to the cross-sectional nature of the present research, it is unclear whether such difficulties in well-being and emotion regulation were present prior to the caregiving relationship or developed as a result. However, previous qualitative research has documented the experience of carer trauma while witnessing behaviors such as deliberate self-harm and violence from a loved one with BPD (Ekdahl et al, 2011;Giffin, 2008). In the present study carers qualitatively described the distressing experience of witnessing these behaviors: "It makes your heart hurt and causes you to take a bit of a distance when you look at the suicide rates for this disorder and talk .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…A qualitative study of four parents of a person with borderline personality disorder (BPD) reported themes of chronic and traumatic stress, grief, burden, interpersonal strain, difficulty navigating the mental health system, and conflicting advice from mental health professionals (Giffin, 2008). A qualitative study with 10 parents and one adult child of a person with BPD resulted in themes of a life tiptoeing around the consumer, constant duty and worry, strained family relationships, shame and stigma, powerlessness, guilt and grief, and impaired trust toward the mental health system (Ekdahl, Idvall, Samuelsson, & Perseius, 2011). Further, a recent qualitative study of 30 carers of a person with personality disorder identified 44 themes, highlighting the multidimensionality of burden experienced by carers (Bauer, Döring, Schmidt, & Spießl, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Supporting a Person With Personality Disorder: A Study of Carer Burden and Well-Being

Bailey¹,

Grenyer²

2014

Journal of Personality Disorders

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Personality disorders are characterized by impaired interpersonal functioning. There are few studies and little data available using validated questionnaires on the impact of caring for a person with personality disorder. The 287 carers included in this study were administered the McLean Screening Instrument for Borderline Personality Disorder-Carer Version, Burden Assessment Scale, Grief Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, Mental Health Inventory-5, and a qualitative question. Scores were compared to those of published comparison groups. Burden and grief were significantly higher than that reported by carers of persons with other serious mental illnesses. Carers endorsed symptoms consistent with mood, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorders. A qualitative concept map highlighted the impact of caregiving on the interpersonal environment. Carers of persons with personality disorder report grieving their change in life and impairment in well-being. Carers are burdened, and appear more so than carers of persons with other serious mental illnesses. The results highlight the need for interventions to support carers.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Supporting a Person With Personality Disorder: A Study of Carer Burden and Well-Being

Bailey¹,

Grenyer²

2014

Journal of Personality Disorders

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“…Ekdahl et al ( 2011 :69–76) discuss how family members tiptoe around their relative diagnosed with BPD, which often causes strained family relationships, shame and stigma. Family members suffer from the social and emotional stress caused by stigmatisation.…”

Section: Discussion Of Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Marital discord was experienced owing to extra conflict and ongoing stressful challenges created at home. Caring for a person with a personality disorder affects relationships owing to conflict and concern between family members and isolation from friends (Ekdahl et al 2011 :69–76; Goodman et al 2011 :59–74). It is not uncommon for levels of stress to lead to strain in the marriage, resulting in separation, or even divorce (Salters-Pedneault 2017 :3).…”

Section: Discussion Of Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences of family members who have a relative diagnosed with borderline personality disorder

et al. 2018

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BackgroundWhile working in a psychiatric hospital, the researcher observed the beneficial effects of the mindfulness programme offered to patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Little support was offered to family members who attempted to manage their relatives diagnosed with BPD. The family members often experienced stress, depression, grief and isolation.ObjectivesThe purpose of this research was to explore and describe the experiences of family members who have a relative diagnosed with BPD.MethodA qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual study design was used. A purposive sample of family members aged between 24 and 74 years was made. Data were collected by conducting eight in-depth, phenomenological interviews, and field notes were taken. The interviews focused on the central question, ‘Tell me your experience of having a relative diagnosed with BPD’. Tesch’s method for data analysis was used, and an independent coder analysed the data and met with the researcher for a consensus discussion of the results. Measures to ensure trustworthiness were applied and ethical principles were adhered to.ResultsFour themes were identified. In theme one, family members described their relative diagnosed with BPD as experiencing emotional, behavioural, interpersonal and self-dysregulation. As a result, family members expressed negative feelings towards their relatives and experienced social humiliation, financial strain and marital discord. In theme two, they experienced a desire to move forward and improve their mental health. In theme three, family members experienced a challenging process of adaptation and coping. In theme four, family members experienced a quest for harmony and integration.ConclusionThe results indicated that family members experienced disempowerment because they lacked knowledge about their relative’s BPD. More knowledge about BPD, the understanding and implication of the diagnosis, treatment and care are needed from mental health care professionals and service providers.

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Relatives' experiences of brief admission in borderline personality disorder and self‐harming behaviour

et al. 2022

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Aim:The aim of this study is to describe experiences of brief admission (BA) of people with borderline personality disorder and self-harming behaviour, from the perspective of their relatives.Design: A descriptive qualitative design was chosen.Methods: Twelve relatives of people with borderline personality disorder and selfharming behaviour who had access to BA were interviewed. Data were analysed with qualitative conventional content analysis.Results: One overarching category: Hope for the future and three categories occurred: Breathing space, Personal responsibility and Structure. BA created hope for the future and the relatives appreciated that BA is a freer and easily accessible form of care that enables help at an early stage, compared with usual care. When BA functions, the structure and pre-determined days of care give relatives a breathing space, and the uncertainty diminishes for the children, as the parent can still be present during inpatient care. The lack of places was described as a disadvantage of BA.

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A Life Tiptoeing: Being a Significant Other to Persons With Borderline Personality Disorder

Cited by 45 publications

References 30 publications

Supporting a Person With Personality Disorder: A Study of Carer Burden and Well-Being

Supporting a Person With Personality Disorder: A Study of Carer Burden and Well-Being

Experiences of family members who have a relative diagnosed with borderline personality disorder

Relatives' experiences of brief admission in borderline personality disorder and self‐harming behaviour

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