The experience of sleep for women with borderline personality disorder: An occupational perspective

Abstract

Introduction Sleep difficulties are prevalent in borderline personality disorder; however, the experience of sleep for individuals with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder has not been considered from an occupational therapy perspective. Method This study adopted a qualitative methodology. Semi-structured interviews were utilised to explore how sleep is experienced by four women with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, in an inpatient setting. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings Through thematic analysis four themes were identified: ‘there isn’t a proper pattern or structure to my sleeps’, ‘sleep is getting away for me’, ‘before I came in [to the unit] my life–work balance was all chaotic’ and ‘I know the routine, but it doesn’t really seem to affect me’. These findings described the variety of problems experienced by participants with regard to sleep and the implications of sleep difficulties on occupational performance and participation. Conclusion Women with borderline personality disorder on an inpatient unit experienced a variety of sleep difficulties that impact on their ability to engage in occupations. Sleep and sleep difficulties should be explicitly addressed by occupational therapists and sleep interventions should be individually tailored; further research is required to examine occupational therapy interventions for sleep.