Aims and Method: The present study explored the experiences and beliefs of people associated with personality disorder (PO) about their difficulties, 'recovery', and their interactions with mental health services, both as users and consultants involved in delivering s~rvices. Study Design: The present study adopted a qualitative me~odology. Data, elicited from eight semi-structured interviews, were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Participants were involved in constructing the interview schedule and data analysis phase. Results: Findings provided a picture of~hat was deemed as helpful and unhelpful support in participants' struggle to m~nage their ongoing difficulties. This included reflections on the benefits and barriers involved in working as a service-user consultant. Five themes revealed by the analysis contributed to this understan&ing: personal experience and· relationship to PO difficulties; power and powerlessness; understanding; isolation; and the individual and social self. Discussion: Based on the present findings it is argued that participants' experiences of mental health services, coinciding with their association with PO, can be represented as a disabling process. A social model of madness and distress is used to reflect upon the difficulties reported by participants and the consequences on their sense of self and identity. Findings were seen as supporting a multidisciplinary and psychologically informed approach to working with people associated with PD. It is argued that such services should be underpinned by the principles of recovery approaches, embodied in the involvement of users in the delivery of services. Further reflections: Additional deliberation is afforded to the selection of methodology and process issues arising during research. The latter included consideration of the interrelatedness between researcher and therapist roles. The quality of findings is evaluated according to study limitations and generalisability, with reflections on the nature of user i I involvement and avenues implicated for further research.