Being diagnosed with a BPD: an analysis of young adults' stories
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring how young female adults who have been diagnosed with or are considered to have traits of a borderline personality disorder (BPD) understand this, the meaning this diagnostic label has for them and how they make sense of this specifically in relation to their identity and future.
IRAS ID
319110
Contact name
Jessica Phipps
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a commonly diagnosed personality disorder, the prevalence of BPD is estimated to be 1.6% in the general population and 20% in the inpatient psychiatric population. It is also more commonly diagnosed in women aged 18-34 years (1.4%) as opposed to men (0.2%). Individuals diagnosed with this disorder may present with affective instability, impulsivity, difficulty regulating emotions, transient psychotic or dissociative symptoms, and difficulties with interpersonal relationships. A BPD diagnosis cannot officially be made until early adulthood at the age of 18 years and older, but symptoms may have started in adolescence. Research suggests that three quarters of adults with a diagnosable mental health problem will have experienced their first symptoms of poor mental health by the age of 24. This can result in a high percentage of young people with a mental illness who may need to transition from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) into adult services. Previous research has highlighted the positive and negative experiences that service users have of receiving a diagnosis of BPD, suggesting that early communication of a BPD diagnosis could lead to improved outcomes and recovery for service users. Despite the controversy regarding BPD, there remains a scarcity of empirical research investigating the process of diagnosing BPD, particularly in relation to individuals’ subjective experiences and there appears to be a gap in the research looking at young adult’s narratives of being diagnosed with or considered to have traits of BPD. In light of the evidence, the study aims to explore, using narrative analysis, how young female adults understand their diagnosis or traits of a borderline personality disorder, the meaning this diagnostic label has for them and how they make sense of this specifically in relation to their identity and future .
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SW/0002
Date of REC Opinion
30 Jan 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion