Advice for Professionals

Working with people who have a diagnosis of personality disorder can be both rewarding and challenging. We have put together a list of do's and don'ts for you. As well as this you may wish to download some information from our online shop.

Do be non-judgemental and validating
Do show respect
Do recognise that the distress felt is very real
Do seek your own support, from supervision and peers
Do remain consistent
Do recognise that they are a difficult client group, and it is easy to feel demoralised
Do ask for training- it's VITAL
Do recognise there may be other, Axis I disorders, which may be more treatable
Do recognise that BPD patients are among the most creative people
Do look after yourself. If you find it hard to look after yourself when working with this client group, you aren't going to find it any easier to work with them!

Don't think their behaviour is a personal attack
Don't overstep professional boundaries by, for instance, accepting gifts or seeing patients in your own time.
Don't let yourself become burnt-out by not seeking support
Don't feel guilty for strong emotional responses to clients
Don't act on the emotional responses-that's what supervision is for
Don't underestimate risk-it is easy to become complacent with someone who has a long history of self-harm
Don't be afraid to challenge the patient, let them know how their behaviour is affecting you!
Don't be tempted to collude with the patient, even if you secretly agree with them!
Don't treat the patient like a child-they may behave like one at times, but this will not help!
Don't put yourself at risk-if you feel out of your depth, seek support from the appropriate place.

If you can think of anything to add to this list then please send us an email to mail@bpd-world.com