Case studies
Moray BPD Network - collaboration and problem solving
The members of the Moray Borderline Personality Disorder group have met almost every week at a community centre in Elgin. At the first meeting the group discussed their hopes and aspirations and set ground rules. It was clear from the start that they wanted an approach which could create opportunities for members to take control of their own recovery. They realised that becoming more involved in the decisions and activities that affect their lives would promote empowerment and increase self-esteem.
At each meeting members speak in turn to discuss how successful they have been in achieving the goals which they set the previous week. They receive feedback from other members and then decide on goals for the coming week. Members also keep a written record of the goals that they have achieved and once a year they complete a BPD questionnaire on thoughts and feelings.
One of the most important aspects of the model adopted by the BPD Network is the collaboration between service users and the health practitioner. The community psychiatric nurse does not lead the process - she is part of it. Like any other member, she sets her own goals and receives positive feedback. Like any other member, she offers support to others as they work out solutions to their own problems.
Problem solving is another vital ingredient of the process used by the group. Rather than focusing on the difficulties associated with a new goal, members try to use their own experiences to suggest how others may be able to solve their problems. This is empowering because it helps people to identify their own strengths and to see that they can face challenges and achieve tasks. Each person draws on their own experiences to come up with appropriate - sometimes creative - solutions to complex problems and help others to make changes
