Abstract
Few diagnoses remain as controversial as borderline personality disorder (BPD), with renewed interest following the document Personality disorder: No longer a diagnosis of exclusion (National Institute for Mental Health in England, 2003). The document highlighted, amongst many factors, stigma experienced by service users and inadequate systems of care. As such it is of interest to consider how service users experience the difficulties associated with BPD, and the views of mental health staff working to providing their care. This literature review was conducted to identify common themes in service users’ experiences and staff attitudes, how these views interact and contrast, and are used to consider the wider debate regarding the validity and utility of the diagnosis. Implications for future practice are also discussed.