Families and Carers Training and Support Programme (FACTS)
FACTS is a unique, carer-led training programme for carers of people with a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)/ Emerging Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD).
About FACTS
The Families and Carers Training and Support Programme (FACTS) is a short course designed to support the friends and families of people with ‘Borderline Personality Disorder” (BDP) or Emerging/Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder’ (EUPD).
At FACTS, we are aware that the terms BPD or EUPD can be disliked, and people can find the diagnosis stigmatising. In some mental health services, particularly those supporting younger people, other terms may be used, such as Complex Emotional Needs, Emotional Dysregulation with Impulsivity, or BPD traits.
The FACTS programme has been successful because it brings together a group of people who are all supporting a person with similar mental health problems. The person may have been given a diagnosis, they may not be receiving any support from mental health services, or their clinician may have simply said, for example, “we think they may have ‘emotional dysregulation with impulsivity but it is too early to make a diagnosis at this point”.
It is very important that carers and families are able to find FACTS. Despite their contention, we use the ‘shorthand’ terms BPD and/or EUPD as these terms are commonly recognised
Overview and history
We know it can sometimes be difficult to live with, or care for, someone who has BPD/EUPD. Families and friends can struggle to cope with their own feelings, leaving them disempowered and unsure how best to help their loved one.
Support and advice are rarely available and when it is, is often confusing and unhelpful.
The purpose of FACTS is to improve family and carer wellbeing and to teach skills to help carers.
Watch this introductory video from Christella and Phillipa on the history of FACTS and its definition. A transcript of the video is available here.
FACTS was developed at Anna Freud in response to a request from a carer, who was looking for support for carers of people with BPD/EUPD. She was inspired by a book she had read; ‘Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder, A Family Guide to Healing and Change, by Valerie Porr, founder of the New York-based organisation, TARA4BPD (Treatment and Research Advancements National Association for Personality Disorder). In her book, Valerie Porr teaches effective coping behaviours and interpersonal skills which reduce family conflict and increase trust.
Professor Anthony Bateman from Anna Freud, a leading expert in BPD, worked with two carers from Harrow to create FACTS. The aim was to develop an evidence-based course, led by trained carers of people with BPD/EUPD, to help families and friends to cope with their own feelings, teach them about BPD/EUPD and help them support their relative or friend.
A randomised controlled trial (RCT) of FACTS was run at Anna Freud. This showed that the programme improved carers’ overall wellbeing, improved family functioning and helped carers feel more confident in supporting their family member or friend. FACTS is interactive, giving carers the opportunity to practice their skills and to develop their understanding of the difference they can make to their lives and those of their loved ones with BPD/EUPD.
The key to the success of FACTS is the involvement of carers with lived experience of supporting someone with BPD/EUPD to teach skills to improve communication, rebuild relationships within the family, and to help families cope with their situation.
FACTS Training
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