An unsettled life : carers experience of living with a person having borderline personality disorder

Abstract

Background: The responsibilities of providing care to a person with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and the pressures of maintaining a family may have a negative impact on the caregivers. This may lead caregivers to experience stress and burnout. Despite this, healthcare professionals tend to focus more on the person affected with the disorder (patient) and neglect the caregivers needs for support. Objective: The aim of the current study was to explore the meaning that informal carers attribute to the experience of caring for their relative with BPD. The objectives of the study were to explore the impact of caring for a relative with BPD and identify the coping strategies used by the informal carers. Design: A qualitative approach following the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Setting: The study was conducted in the caregivers’ homes (n=2), or within a public hospital (n=3) depending on the participants’ preferences. Participants: Five spouses, consisting of two females and three males and who were caring for a person having BPD. Methodology: Purposeful sampling was used to recruit participants. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis were done using IPA. Results: Three superordinate themes emerged namely: ‘An Unsettled Existence’, ‘Searching for Meaning and Peace’ and ‘Supportive Relationships’. Conclusion: Participants described how caring for their spouse with BPD impacts on their life leading to an unsettled existence. The burden on the caregiver is high and affected their overall quality of life. The caregivers are affected psychologically, emotionally, socially, physically and their relationships are impacted by the stress associated with caring for their spouse with BPD. Furthermore, the caregivers described learning how to search for meaning and peace through self-preserving strategies. Furthermore, results showed that caregivers need support from health professionals. In addition, caregivers verbalised that they need to be more involved in their relatives’ care plans and need more knowledge about BPD.