'I think we're all guinea pigs really': a qualitative study of medication and borderline personality disorder.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence recommended the use of medication only in times of crisis for individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Despite this recommendation most service users referred to a specialist personality disorder service were found to be on numerous medications. Although a number of qualitative studies have explored the experience of individuals with a diagnosis of BPD they have failed to discuss their experience of being treated with medication, despite its high prescription with this group (e.g. Sansone et al.). The aim of this study was to explore the experience of service users being treated with medication for the BPD diagnosis. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with seven service users under a specialist service for personality disorder. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The main themes to emerge were: staff knowledge and attitudes, lack of resources for BPD and the recovery pathway for BPD. Overall, service users felt that receiving the BPD diagnosis had had a negative impact on the care they received, with staff either refusing treatment or focusing on medication as a treatment option. The introduction of specialist services for this group appears to improve service user satisfaction with their treatment and adherence to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines.