Issues in dealing with Borderline's.

i think borderline people are exhausting. i dont work psych, but i do work ltc and we see our fair share. i think that what you said about the staff not always being consistent with these patients is true. you definitely have to care plan the proper approach and make all staff aware of it. people with BPD are very manipulative and limit setting is most important. the problems i have had with these patients is that when they dont get their way they turn on you and suddenly you are the worst nurse they've ever seen. also many nurses either dont know the proper way of dealing with a manipulative person and just give in to all their requests, or dont want to be the "bad nurse" by setting limits on their behavior. the bottom line is if all the staff are not on the same page you are going to have a problem when you try to set limits.

they suck the life out of you *sigh* basically it's a personality disorder & trying to change that is like trying to move a mountain one grain of sand at a time. Interesting yes but exhausting & frustrating as well. Firm, consistent limits are a MUST from all staff. Bad enough trying to deal with one really bad BP but to have staff give hard way in cooperating makes it even worse.