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Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+) => Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup => Topic started by: truthdevotee on February 16, 2021, 08:58:47 AM



Title: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 16, 2021, 08:58:47 AM
Hi all,
One of the most common things my pwBPD says to me when she's in a split state is "you don't care about me." "You don't love me."

What's the best way to reply to this statement? If I say I DO I DO I DO, then it isn't heard and I get frustrated.

Is the best thing just to acknowledge in the following way?

"I understand you're in pain because you feel I don't care about you. I assure you it's not true and I do care about you, but you have every right to your opinion" -- and then, when the inevitable resistance comes up, just be present without saying anything? (avoiding JADE)





Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: Cat Familiar on February 16, 2021, 06:10:11 PM
Your second response is preferable to the first. If you assert that you do care, and you do love her, you are invalidating her feelings.

How about simply, “I’m sorry you think I don’t care.”


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: Notwendy on February 16, 2021, 06:32:21 PM



"I am sorry you feel that way"


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: matthew37 on February 17, 2021, 09:41:33 AM
it's probably something on the order of "i hear you that you feel i dont care about you, can you tell me more about that?" then responsive listening, repeating as much as possible, until she's talked out. zero debates, zero defensiveness, zero explanations. just do the responsive thing as long as you both can.

fwiw there's literally zero point in trying to prove you do care. why you may ask? because, as i've finally woken up to understand, there is nothing you can actually do. "they" reinforce this idea to themselves, constantly. so in my home, me "caring" is stomaching letting her vent for 15m about some bizarre fantasy/nightmare version of reality. i dont mean to sound callous, its just something i deal with every 2-3 weeks, and i'm worn thin about it, and hopefully can pass along the experience before you are as worn out as i've gotten...

i'll often tread on "can you share with me something that *would* make you feel cared for?" as an area, but it can get dicey. sometimes it ends with her saying "i just need you to XYZ" (doesnt matter what she says, as XYZ won't actually do anything to make her feel differently, and you'll get even more frustrated by trying to do that exact thing). sometimes it ends with her saying she doesnt know (these are the moments i hope for, as i do see her get somewhat introspective at times, which can actually lead to her acknowledging her anger/frustrations, which i desperately/foolishly hope will get her to truly recognize her state of mind).

good luck!
(again, really dont mean to sound cynical/etc, i'm just frustrated and wish i had realized my wife's condition a few years ago when i had more energy to actually possibly make progress)


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: Chosen on February 18, 2021, 08:06:06 PM
I get that a lot too, so I'm probably not one for giving advice.  I would think "I'm sorry you feel that way/ feel like I don't care" is not going to help much.  It feels a bit like "Too bad you feel like that".  Like you're trying to shy away from any responsibilities.  Not that I'm saying you don't take responsibility; I'm just saying that my H would probably be even angrier if I said that.

My predicament is similar to matthew37.  I also believe there's nothing, NOTHING in your words that can prove you care.  The reason they're saying "you don't care" is because they feel that way.  It may or may not be based on actual actions.  Is it because you did something uncaring?  Maybe.  But more likely it's due to the pwBPD's black & white thinking.  So at that moment it doesn't matter how you can "prove" that you care, or list out things that you did that were caring.  None of that would register with the pwBPD.

I would also suggest asking them a question.  How about something like, "Was it something I did that causes you to feel like this?  Because I don't want to make you feel like I don't care.  Is there something I can do to help you feel more cared about?"

Now, their answer would probably be useless, and won't give any information on HOW you can actually do better.  Also, if they said "do xyz" and you do it, they'll probably be be happy for a while (if you're lucky), but you're prone to lapse at least once or twice and then they'll go back to "you don't care about me".  I believe asking the question is more for them to show that you are not defensive and have an interest in hearing them out.  Listening to somebody shows you care, right?  My H would say "I don't know. You think for yourself" a lot of times if I ask him that.  Or he'll say "You just aren't a loving person" or "you just don't care about others".  So I kind of know that it's not about WHAT I did.  It's about how he feels.  Absolutely no point in arguing that you DO care.  Just accept that she is feeling that way, and somewhat try to detach her emotion from your actions- they may be somewhat related, but I think pwBPDs' emotions go much, much deeper than that.  Your actions probably triggered something completely unrelated inside of her that you can't solve.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: Cat Familiar on February 18, 2021, 09:23:58 PM
I would also suggest asking them a question.  How about something like, "Was it something I did that causes you to feel like this?  Because I don't want to make you feel like I don't care.  Is there something I can do to help you feel more cared about?"

I agree with Chosen. This is another example of FEELINGS EQUAL FACTS. And if they feel uncared about or that you’re “uncaring” despite all your attempts to placate them, pacify them, satisfy them, jump through hoops, whatever...that’s just what they’re going to believe, despite you moving heaven and earth to prove otherwise.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: once removed on February 19, 2021, 02:19:07 AM
Excerpt
Is the best thing just to acknowledge in the following way?

"I understand you're in pain because you feel I don't care about you. I assure you it's not true and I do care about you, but you have every right to your opinion"

no. because this is a script, and she (anyone) will see right through it.

the important thing here is the context. youre not in a splitting episode, youre in a fight, with a person who feels to extreme degrees. and the way to "win" is not arguing the point; a large part of it is listening and understanding where the other person is coming from.

tell us more. when was the last time this happened? what led up to it?


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 19, 2021, 04:17:39 AM
tell us more. when was the last time this happened? what led up to it?


Thanks all so much for your replies in this thread. Helpful to contemplate and be more prepared for the next time.

I can't remember when the last time was...  but it happens relatively frequently. As I'm learning the new skills from the Eggshells book and via this forum, I'm learning how not to escalate things, as well as how not to absorb her strong emotions like a sponge. I think as I exercise these new skills, she might still believe I don't care about her at times e.g. if I assert a boundary, it might appear to her that I don't care about her; if I take an action without her permission that in the past I would have asked her approval of it might appear I don't care about her, etc. My job is to not take it personally whilst ensuring consistent self-reflection on my own behavior and work with my sponsor.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 19, 2021, 11:54:09 AM
Good replies and advice here.  I deal with this several times a week.

First of all, it is very painful and invalidating TO YOU to hear this all the time, when you obviously do care.  IT DRAINS ME, and is very difficult to not take personally.  After years of hearing this, you start to believe that you are an uncaring, callous person.  You need to be able to step outside of this and talk to a T or other friends or family to help keep you grounded. 

As said, replying that you do care is invalidating.  That usually starts a JADE session, and makes the argument worse.  Hard to stop doing this, and at times I think I subconsciously invalidate simply to bring it all out quicker.  I learned that strategy from my dad.  He would know my mom was upset about something for days, and he would finally intentionally do something invalidating so that my mom would blow up, get angry, and return to baseline after a day or two. 

Doing more of what she asks to prove you care doesn't work.  It may solve things in the short term, but makes you feel crappy later when she comes at you again saying you don't care despite exhausting yourself.

Some of the other replies mentioned in this thread may work for awhile, but after dealing with this regularly the replies sound rehearsed, and pwBPD pick up on this and see it as more proof you don't care.  Definitely worth a shot, though.

The key for me is acceptance.  Accept that it happens, and will happen again.  Let her complain for 15 minutes, then try to gently steer the conversation to something productive. Then try and accept this has nothing to do with you, what you did, or what you didn't do.  Take all the crappy feelings you now have after having listened to this to your T, or practice some self care, take a walk, work out, etc.  I have come to accept that as long as I am in this r/s I am going to have to deal with this.  My goal is to deal with it every few weeks rather than a few times per week.



Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 19, 2021, 01:38:20 PM
Good replies and advice here.  I deal with this several times a week.

First of all, it is very painful and invalidating TO YOU to hear this all the time, when you obviously do care.  IT DRAINS ME, and is very difficult to not take personally.  After years of hearing this, you start to believe that you are an uncaring, callous person.  You need to be able to step outside of this and talk to a T or other friends or family to help keep you grounded. 

Thanks maxsterling. Thanks for understanding.

I think I'm going to seek out a local therapist/counsellor that understands BPD.

Excerpt
As said, replying that you do care is invalidating.  That usually starts a JADE session, and makes the argument worse.  Hard to stop doing this, and at times I think I subconsciously invalidate simply to bring it all out quicker. 

This regarding the subconscious is very interesting. I have sensed the same about myself. Normally those subconscious things blurt out when I'm tired after a day at work. I witness them occur and try to stop them as soon as I notice... usually by just admitting I'm exhausted and I need some space.

Excerpt
Doing more of what she asks to prove you care doesn't work.  It may solve things in the short term, but makes you feel crappy later when she comes at you again saying you don't care despite exhausting yourself.

Exactly maxsterling. I'm feeling rather exhausted tonight. I feel sad after I tried to share something in a "conversation" (as usual, the conversation was all about her) and she outright told me she isn't interested in what I'm saying. It upset me.

Excerpt
Some of the other replies mentioned in this thread may work for awhile, but after dealing with this regularly the replies sound rehearsed, and pwBPD pick up on this and see it as more proof you don't care.  Definitely worth a shot, though.

I agree, and I've noticed this in other scenarios. For example, if I feel like I don't genuinely want to understand, because I'm too tired to do so and I know she's not willing to be vulnerable, then it's best not to pretend I want to understand.

Excerpt
The key for me is acceptance.  Accept that it happens, and will happen again.  Let her complain for 15 minutes, then try to gently steer the conversation to something productive. Then try and accept this has nothing to do with you, what you did, or what you didn't do.  Take all the crappy feelings you now have after having listened to this to your T, or practice some self care, take a walk, work out, etc.  I have come to accept that as long as I am in this r/s I am going to have to deal with this.  My goal is to deal with it every few weeks rather than a few times per week.


wow...that's an eye opener for me... yeah... acceptance...
I dont' have much time for self-care... but I want it and as the boys get older I'm sure I can do more of it.
tonight I just don't feel like being around her, so I'm taking an early night to bed


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 19, 2021, 02:25:21 PM
Most nights of the past few months I hope that my W falls asleep early and I get some alone time.  Main reason is I don't want to deal with her.  I don't want to deal with her issues, I don't want to deal with her criticisms, demands, etc. 

The other night she put the kids to bed.  I took a sleep aid and laid on the couch in front of the TV in hopes that I would fall asleep and she just go to bed and not bug me.  I am glad I did.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 20, 2021, 07:40:45 AM
Most nights of the past few months I hope that my W falls asleep early and I get some alone time.  Main reason is I don't want to deal with her.  I don't want to deal with her issues, I don't want to deal with her criticisms, demands, etc. 

The other night she put the kids to bed.  I took a sleep aid and laid on the couch in front of the TV in hopes that I would fall asleep and she just go to bed and not bug me.  I am glad I did.

Great. I realized that this is self care to allow myself time to be by myself. To go to bed when I want to go to bed. To read a book rather than talk to my partner. This is a newfound freedom, to focus on my own needs.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: matthew37 on February 22, 2021, 10:43:16 AM
this is how I roll too. i'm up before she is so I can do a little workout (*something* for me!) then I outlast everyone so I can just have a couple of stress-free hours per day...

we should have the BPD partners' binge watching club. (jk, not making light of anything any of us are going through!)


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 22, 2021, 11:03:59 AM
this is how I roll too. i'm up before she is so I can do a little workout (*something* for me!) then I outlast everyone so I can just have a couple of stress-free hours per day...

we should have the BPD partners' binge watching club. (jk, not making light of anything any of us are going through!)

I was thinking of making a "self care ideas for BPD partners list" knowing our challenges.  Example:  Offering to pick something up at the store, treating yourself to a special coffee or ice cream on the way, and taking the scenic route.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: tvda on February 22, 2021, 11:58:35 AM
I think there's an element of projection to this somehow. Her projecting her own feelings of self hate onto you might be stress relief for her. I am very much playing the amateur psychologist here so I could be 100% wrong...

But it could be an interesting path to research, dealing with others projecting their negative self feelings onto you.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 22, 2021, 12:02:52 PM
I think there's an element of projection to this somehow. Her projecting her own feelings of self hate onto you might be stress relief for her. I am very much playing the amateur psychologist here so I could be 100% wrong...


I think you are 100% right.  My W has occasionally stated as much:  "when I am saying bad stuff about you I am really talking about myself."  She describes it like a bottle being uncorked - days/weeks/years of negative self talk needs to be released.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 23, 2021, 07:06:52 AM
no. because this is a script, and she (anyone) will see right through it.



Shorter is better..also let the "shock" or the "perplexed" feelings come through.

"Oh my goodness...I'm so sorry you feel that way.  What on earth has happened?"

Then alter it a bit so it doesn't sound like a script.

"Oh babe...this must be hard.  Has something happened?"

Sometimes I get success  (relative) with..

"Oh my...can I reassure you?"  (and wait for answer) Then give a hug, quick massage to shoulders or...

Let's switch gears for a second.  Think about maxsterling's point about being draining.

Realize that these discussions can quickly go circular...look for a way to exit quickly.

Oh...and when they say yes to reassurance...it's rarely going to be your words that do it.

"Can I give you hug?"  "Want to go for a walk?"  "How about I make us coffee for a snuggle on the couch?"  those types of things.

Best,

FF





Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 23, 2021, 03:20:10 PM
this is how I roll too. i'm up before she is so I can do a little workout (*something* for me!) then I outlast everyone so I can just have a couple of stress-free hours per day...

we should have the BPD partners' binge watching club. (jk, not making light of anything any of us are going through!)

I was thinking of making a "self care ideas for BPD partners list" knowing our challenges.  Example:  Offering to pick something up at the store, treating yourself to a special coffee or ice cream on the way, and taking the scenic route.

Haha, I'm in!



Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 23, 2021, 03:25:07 PM
I think there's an element of projection to this somehow. Her projecting her own feelings of self hate onto you might be stress relief for her. I am very much playing the amateur psychologist here so I could be 100% wrong...

But it could be an interesting path to research, dealing with others projecting their negative self feelings onto you.

Thanks tvda. I agree about the stress relief. It's like a way for her to manage painful emotions by having me as a listener at the expense of my own needs. I am starting to see that I'm doing her and self a disservice by enabling it


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 23, 2021, 03:35:12 PM

Shorter is better..also let the "shock" or the "perplexed" feelings come through.

"Oh my goodness...I'm so sorry you feel that way.  What on earth has happened?"

Then alter it a bit so it doesn't sound like a script.

"Oh babe...this must be hard.  Has something happened?"

Sometimes I get success  (relative) with..

"Oh my...can I reassure you?"  (and wait for answer) Then give a hug, quick massage to shoulders or...



This thing about the shock and perplexed feeling responses is interesting. I'll report back when I have the opportunity to do this. Sounds along the same lines as light and breezy like you mentioned in the Other thread.

Excerpt


Let's switch gears for a second.  Think about maxsterling's point about being draining.

Realize that these discussions can quickly go circular...look for a way to exit quickly.

Oh...and when they say yes to reassurance...it's rarely going to be your words that do it.

"Can I give you hug?"  "Want to go for a walk?"  "How about I make us coffee for a snuggle on the couch?"  those types of things.

Best,

FF



Awesome, thank you for all these great points. Lots of new tools to juggle! It's so cool to be seeing the small steps of progress daily. I think I can forsee the potential to get out of my own heaviness eventually, which of course she responds to... Meaning I might eventually be able to truly inspire her to cooperate and to see us like a team. But I have to get to that feeling place myself first, ie. I need to exit my own heaviness by practicing the new tools and then hopefully start to experience a whole shift of attitude... But yeah this might be over thinking hahaha... I guess what I'm trying to say is once the self confidence feels consistent and normal, perhaps I can be more influential towards her in a positive way (ultimately, only if she's open to it)


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 23, 2021, 04:40:03 PM

This thing about the shock and perplexed feeling responses is interesting. 

Many of us "thinkers" get so engrossed in rationally trying to figure out what to say..we end up sounding like computers...very uncaring...devoid of emotion.

So...we want to be in the moment and authentic.

Word of warning:  "of my..you are bat shizzer crazy" is an authentic feeling you should NOT share.

"Oh my...I have no words, let me think for a minute.." is something you can share...is likely to be authentic, since it is a "kissing cousin" to what you are really thinking/feeling.

 |iiii |iiii |iiii

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: truthdevotee on February 24, 2021, 03:58:29 PM
Many of us "thinkers" get so engrossed in rationally trying to figure out what to say..we end up sounding like computers...very uncaring...devoid of emotion.

So...we want to be in the moment and authentic.


Thanks for this guidance. This is very insightful for me.

Excerpt

Word of warning:  "of my..you are bat shizzer crazy" is an authentic feeling you should NOT share.


Lol :)

Excerpt

"Oh my...I have no words, let me think for a minute.." is something you can share...is likely to be authentic, since it is a "kissing cousin" to what you are really thinking/feeling

Got it

Tonight I went to bed at 2245, made a strong effort to make her feel loved through physical touch, chatting, etc. She's having a particularly rough time today. Unfortunately she felt hurt by my departure to bed. For a couple minutes I got caught in the FOG and resulting circular discourse and trying to change her. Fortunately that didn't last long. I still felt guilty for going to bed because I totally understand the situation she's going through, which wouldn't be easy for anyone.. but I'm genuinely tired so I made the decision. Her last words when i tried to kiss her goodnight were 'don't do it, it doesn't feel good'


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 24, 2021, 05:19:58 PM
W becomes resentful if I fall asleep quickly.

If it is past 10pm - logically I feel that it is her problem.  Much of the time she is mad because I did not sit to listen to her issue of the day.  My dad complained about the same from my mother.  He said that she would often keep him up for an hour or more complaining about this or that, always a bunch of stuff that was not serious or did not need to be resolved that night.  My dad said he would just listen and my mom would just vent and then go to sleep.  But his sleep suffered.  And my sleep suffers. 

If W wants to have a *productive* conversation at 11pm about something for the next morning - fine.  Sometimes we don't have a chance to discuss it earlier.  But conversations that are just complaints, or "do you think I have more gray hair than last year", I have to find a way to avoid those at bedtime.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: matthew37 on February 24, 2021, 05:28:53 PM
If it is past 10pm - logically I feel that it is her problem.  Much of the time she is mad because I did not sit to listen to her issue of the day.  My dad complained about the same from my mother.  He said that she would often keep him up for an hour or more complaining about this or that, always a bunch of stuff that was not serious or did not need to be resolved that night.  My dad said he would just listen and my mom would just vent and then go to sleep.  But his sleep suffered.  And my sleep suffers. 

If W wants to have a *productive* conversation at 11pm about something for the next morning - fine.  Sometimes we don't have a chance to discuss it earlier.  But conversations that are just complaints, or "do you think I have more gray hair than last year", I have to find a way to avoid those at bedtime.

OMG mine used to do this! She'd just love to go on for what felt like hours about what i considered "potential issues" (ex: "what if in a few years my father needs 24/7 support") and I'd always just hear her out, or try to reassure her. One day i basically said as constructively as i could something like "hey, i love talking about this with you, but i find it hard to do this right before bed, can we keep these conversations happening but maybe move to daytime/evenings?".  She agreed, and miraculously - they mostly went away! I think for me, the combo of my sleeping issues (which she obv doesn't factor into anything, esp since she doesnt have any) plus approaching it in a way where i expressed continued interest might've done the trick. Anyhow, hope that's helpful!

As always, tread carefully and YMMV - good luck!


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: legalboxers on February 24, 2021, 07:52:06 PM
Hi all,
One of the most common things my pwBPD says to me when she's in a split state is "you don't care about me." "You don't love me."

What's the best way to reply to this statement? If I say I DO I DO I DO, then it isn't heard and I get frustrated.

Is the best thing just to acknowledge in the following way?

"I understand you're in pain because you feel I don't care about you. I assure you it's not true and I do care about you, but you have every right to your opinion" -- and then, when the inevitable resistance comes up, just be present without saying anything? (avoiding JADE)





Mine did the same thing; until she bailed on me. Next month is suppose to be 1 year since she and I met.. and the death anniversary of her mom


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 25, 2021, 05:33:00 PM
How do you break the cycle?  Right now I'm in a situation where my W, has gone to a hotel.  If I don't say anything I'm ignoring her and "can't even have a conversation with her."  If we do talk it quickly gets into the circular logic and me being blamed for not being there, "not having her back", not caring about her, not loving her, etc. 


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: ThanksForPlaying on February 25, 2021, 08:20:27 PM
To break the cycle, I try to shorten the conversation. Nothing good ever comes from a long, extended discussion of feelings, and she won't remember the feelings anyway (she only knows what she's feeling right at the moment). So I try to say something like "I love you and care about you - I want you here with me - come home and we can talk. right now I gotta (take care of something) because (reasons)." and leave it at that. That's setting boundaries, giving her clear affection, and giving yourself time to take care of other responsibilities (surely you have something else that needs to be done). Don't let yourself stop living your own life. Doesn't she always come back when you least expect it anyway?


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 25, 2021, 10:46:23 PM
Well, I've never gotten to the point where she has actually left, until just recently.  She is at a hotel right now.  I'm really not sure what she is going to do, she is about as escalated as I have ever seen her and has been for what seems like almost a week now.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 26, 2021, 07:02:16 AM
To break the cycle, I try to shorten the conversation.


Short!    |iiii |iiii |iiii  double and triple   |iiii |iiii |iiii

I think of it this way.  When they "are that way" the more words you put on the table the more chances they have to "mishear" (anyone ever have that happen?) and then try to shot you with a twisted version of your own words.

There are times that you just can't think of what to say (and don't actually say this)...other than "Good grief you are the craziest person I have ever been around..."  (Reminder...don't say this..but lets be honest about our "internal monologue

So..try this on...deep breath and try to have a gentle...caring voice.  "Hey...this sounds important.  I want to listen and understand.."
 
(note...you don't see me arguing that you care..have feelings or whatever)  Have you ever gotten in a you don't care about me..yes I do..no you don't..yes I do circular discussion?

It is valid that whatever it is...is important.  It's also valid that listening and understanding is "on the table".

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 26, 2021, 09:14:21 AM
This is exactly where I am with the circular conversation.  I find when I try and say lets talk about this or "I understand", it's usually met with "I've been telling you this for years" or "I shouldn't have to tell you what to do to help."  or similar statements.  I feel like even when I acknowledge it, it spirals right back to the circular logic and of course if I simply say I'm sorry (or something similar) and leave (even if I say I need a time-out, it's "oh you need a break, I have to deal with everyone's pain") then it becomes, that I just walk away and "ignore her."  She's been in this most recent "flare" for at least a week (really hyped) and probably more like two weeks including the ramping up.

That's part of why I'm sure there is more at play than just BPD, but it just hits you with overwhelming guilt and wondering if maybe I haven't been there or supportive.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 26, 2021, 09:30:12 AM

I would encourage you not to figure out "oh..this is BPD" and "this must be something else".

Full disclosure:  My wife is most likely more PPD than BPD...but it really doesn't matter for purposes of dealing with the behavior.

So...to the extent that if you could figure out if you wife "had something" that it would change the "healthy" approach to the behavior, then I think it is wise to "figure that stuff out"...but if you can't find a reason to respond differently to "I shouldn't have to tell you..." based on BPD, PTSD...anxiety...or just generally being a crank...then I suggest you keep your head "in the moment" and respond to what is before you.  A hurting person...

Pause for a moment...regardless of "what they have"...it's obvious they are hurting..right?

That doesn't mean they get to do whatever they want, it does mean you should lean into empathy...and healthy responses.

How about this?

What would be a good SET for "I shouldn't have to tell you?"

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 26, 2021, 09:53:51 AM
I don't really know, I often times will say "I need help, to understand what can make it better", which I know isn't the right answer or approach.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 26, 2021, 10:07:11 AM
Not to pile more on, but this is why I feel trapped in an endless cycle.  I'm at work right now.  She text me last evening after more circular type of texts.  "Have fun at work.  I'm going to bed a newly single woman."  Then a comment about returning a "hideous ring" I purchased that she specifically requested.  I just didn't even respond.  This morning she texts "still ignoring".  So, I tried to just start it in another direction and asked how she and our child were doing and that I had hoped she was still sleeping and didn't want to wake them.

She then attacked me for "changing the subject"  and says "This is why this is irreparably broken.  You can't discuss the subject at hand.  You don't like it so you move on to something different, like I don't notice you completely blew me off last night.  If I had any doubts that leaving you wasn't the right thing, you reinforced that it is.  So thank you."  I just don't know how to redirect or use any kind of "SET" strategy or something similar with that.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: matthew37 on February 26, 2021, 10:33:08 AM
This is exactly where I am with the circular conversation.  I find when I try and say lets talk about this or "I understand", it's usually met with "I've been telling you this for years" or "I shouldn't have to tell you what to do to help."  or similar statements.  I feel like even when I acknowledge it, it spirals right back to the circular logic and of course if I simply say I'm sorry (or something similar) and leave (even if I say I need a time-out, it's "oh you need a break, I have to deal with everyone's pain") then it becomes, that I just walk away and "ignore her."  She's been in this most recent "flare" for at least a week (really hyped) and probably more like two weeks including the ramping up.

That's part of why I'm sure there is more at play than just BPD, but it just hits you with overwhelming guilt and wondering if maybe I haven't been there or supportive.

this description is, to a tee, my life. "episodes" (flareups?) last 2-5d, usually inclusive of one particularly harsh moment (screaming and/or throwing/breaking things), 24-48 of hostility, 24-48h of quiet detachment. then we have 1-4w of peace. then it kicks in again.

i'm at the "basically given up, but feel so terrible about it all that i'm not quiiiiite ready to go" stage... (but thats because its been ~8y of this, though cycles used to be much much slower)

good luck, hope you have a better journey than i do. here to commisserate anytime!


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 26, 2021, 11:37:47 AM
My experience - the "cycle" in her head just has to exhaust itself.  There is absolutely NOTHING you can do/say to reverse it.  You can do things to make it worse, and you can remain somewhat "neutral", but that is about it.  She is mad/angry at you.   ANYTHING you say/do will be taken through that lens. 

As FF says - the more you say, the more you potentially will make it worse (99% chance that any attempt to resolve this will make it worse).  Probably a good thing she is out of the house right now.  You can take a deep breath, she can calm, and at some time you can hopefully communicate with a halfway rational person.

Usually, I am the one to leave.  When I do, at some point W will usually blow up my phone with text messages so long they actually crash things.    Lately, though, she does not text me for awhile.  If it has been an hour, I usually send her a text message unrelated to the issue she is mad about.  "I am at the store, managed to find xyz."   Or "Took the car to the car wash, cleaned out the inside, too".  She usually responds in a short way, "Fine."  Then later she may send me longer messages about how she is still angry, or maybe just ask when I will be home.  If she wants to bring up the subject why she is angry, I usually have a response about how I can't respond at length because I am driving, etc.  Keep it short, and don't respond immediately.

 


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 26, 2021, 11:48:44 AM
Well, she apparently checked out and I think she’s home now. She’s stating she’ll be gone when I get there. My concern is my 2 1/2 year old daughter if she is doing this.

I think one of the big issues with when I try to detach is basically that’s what I had to do with my ex (who has NPD), so it spirals even further so I have to respond in some way or then “she’s no better than my ex”


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 26, 2021, 03:22:56 PM
Not to pile more on, but this is why I feel trapped in an endless cycle.  I'm at work right now.  She text me last evening after more circular type of texts.  "Have fun at work.  I'm going to bed a newly single woman."  Then a comment about returning a "hideous ring" I purchased that she specifically requested.  I just didn't even respond.  This morning she texts "still ignoring".  So, I tried to just start it in another direction and asked how she and our child were doing and that I had hoped she was still sleeping and didn't want to wake them.

She then attacked me for "changing the subject"  and says "This is why this is irreparably broken.  You can't discuss the subject at hand.  You don't like it so you move on to something different, like I don't notice you completely blew me off last night.  If I had any doubts that leaving you wasn't the right thing, you reinforced that it is.  So thank you."  I just don't know how to redirect or use any kind of "SET" strategy or something similar with that.

Please confirm this is all back and forth via text.  Do I have that right?

As in texts on a phone, not email.

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 26, 2021, 03:42:34 PM
That is correct


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 26, 2021, 03:54:25 PM

I would suggest removing "relationship talk" from text.

It will be horrible..she will pitch a fit, but over the long haul, you will be far...FAR ahead

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 26, 2021, 04:01:08 PM
Do you have any suggestions on how to approach that?  It’s been one of our primary ways of communicating and as you said I know it won’t go well, but I agree if I could do/accomplish that it would make a big difference.

I mean she still accuses me of ignoring her when she’s just up in her room all the time (while I’m doing everything around the house and taking care of our child, etc), but that’s a whole other story.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 26, 2021, 04:25:18 PM
Agree with no R/S issues via text message - always a disaster.  At the very least avoid a back and forth. 

My W will complain about something such as dishes not being done.  Yet if I try to do them, she complains I am always "doing chores" and not available to her or the kids.  No win here.  It sounds like you are in the same boat here.  I am the only one with a job, do 99% of the cooking, 80% of the dishes, and more than 50% of the required cleaning.  W does do a lot of organizing, and that is useful, but usually it is non-priority stuff or moving stuff back and forth(IMO).  For example, this morning she took all the crackers out of their boxes in the pantry and put them in another container.  Example 2:  We have a small bookshelf that has been relocated about 20 times in the past year.  Anyway, I have literally ZERO time to myself.  W complains that I don't get anything done.  I ask her to help me make time.  That usually brings about a rage.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 26, 2021, 04:32:00 PM
Yeah that’s about right. I’m just trying to figure out a good way to approach the no R/S issues or discussion via text. We’ve always text about everything (it’s how our R/S started), so I can just see it spiraling very quickly unless I at least have a good “strategy” to approaching it.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 26, 2021, 10:03:20 PM

There is no good way to do it.

However...if you don't discuss relationship issues via text...then it won't happen.

It really is that simple.

Just as true as that is...there is no good way to do it.

Both of those are true.

"Hey babe..this sounds important to you.  I'm going to be available in person to discuss this after dinner tonight.  Looking forward to giving you my full attention."

And then...ignore it.

And yes...be present and ready when you say you will be.

The nuclear explosion over this will eventually die down.  Your life will be better.

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 27, 2021, 12:39:41 AM

And then...ignore it.

And yes...be present and ready when you say you will be.


More than likely, she won't be.  She won't want to actually discuss anything in person.  *If* you meet in person, she will more likely talk about other stuff, or briefly vent about this subject, and move on.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 27, 2021, 08:49:55 AM

And..this is a victory for the relationship and the two people involved.

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 27, 2021, 09:09:34 AM
Yeah, it’s interesting. So we have an in law suite attached to our house. She actually came back from the hotel and basically had said earlier that I can live in the in law suite until we figure something out (it could take 2 years to sell our house if we truly separate/divorce), essentially I’m “living” in a different room of the house for now. When I came home from work, I went to check on her and now she doesn’t want to talk, basically said why are you in here, I/“we” said you were living in the apartment. I didn’t really hear anything the rest of the night. I’m sure at some point this will be twisted to I’m still ignoring her, but it’s a brief reprieve at least for now.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: formflier on February 27, 2021, 12:20:56 PM

Isn't that generous of her.  Why doesn't she move in there? Instead of trying to control your living situation?

Best,

FF


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 27, 2021, 12:53:11 PM
I thought the same thing, though it doesn’t really matter that much it’s just like another bedroom almost in the house. She flips and turns on a dime with this stuff too. She had actually at one point just said, fine I’ll just live in the “apartment”, this was about a month ago. I have some family coming to help clean up and partly because I know she generally “hold it in/together” when others are around. So now she’s all about hanging up some pictures in the house of them for when they’re here, despite going on about how I’m horrible and she’s leaving me for days-weeks. Then she flips on a dime when I go back upstairs...I ask her a question (she had headphones in apparently) and states “what do you want, can’t you see I have headphones in I can’t hear you.” Followed by “take a hint” under her breath...it’s so maddening


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: maxsterling on February 27, 2021, 04:28:32 PM
Yeah, it’s interesting. So we have an in law suite attached to our house. She actually came back from the hotel and basically had said earlier that I can live in the in law suite until we figure something out (it could take 2 years to sell our house if we truly separate/divorce), essentially I’m “living” in a different room of the house for now. When I came home from work, I went to check on her and now she doesn’t want to talk, basically said why are you in here, I/“we” said you were living in the apartment. I didn’t really hear anything the rest of the night. I’m sure at some point this will be twisted to I’m still ignoring her, but it’s a brief reprieve at least for now.

Whose house is it? 

I wonder how my W would handle things if we had such an apartment.  I am guessing she would first want me to stay in there.  I would, enjoy my peace and quiet, and let her manage all the responsibilities of the main house.  I am guessing that it would not be 12 hours before she was wanting be to come back inside to fix something, cook something, clean something, etc.  I doubt she would want to do that again, and next time I bet she would want to stay in the apartment. 

When my now-W had initially moved in, she was relocating to my city and her moving in was supposed to be temporary until she got her own place, but she had little motivation to do so after actually arriving.  A few months in, W was mad at me about something or another, and this prompted her to find her own place.   A friend of a friend had a room to rent with its own bathroom, etc.  (was actually a very nice house owned by a quasi-famous person).  I helped her pack up her things, drove over there with her, and left.  Later that afternoon, I went to a small party a few doors down with some friends who happened to be Psychologists.  I told them what had happened, and they said, "yeah right, she will be back at your house in a couple of hours."  I walked out the front door and sure enough her car was already in my driveway again.  When the party was over, I came home, found she had made dinner for herself, offered me some, and told me how she didn't like the new place.   A week later she went and picked up her stuff. 


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: MilfordGranger on February 27, 2021, 04:44:55 PM
Well that’s part of why I say I don’t know how much it really matters. It’s an apartment (because there is a second kitchen, etc), but the reality is it’s basically like me staying in another room and with our daughter, it makes it more difficult for me to basically isolate/live in the apartment if I’m still going to be involved with our daughter. If this ever turned into a real “separation” I think we’d have to be more creative in having actual set times when the “main part” of the house were “ours,” which I’m sure would go over well. I do agree though I suspect if I were truly “gone” for a chunk of time I wonder how long it would be before she finally snapped out of this most recent “rage”, or I don’t even know if that’s what to call it because it’s more she’s in a part of her cycle where I am horrible and essentially the cause of everything bad and all of her pain.


Title: Re: "You don't care about me"
Post by: Chosen on March 01, 2021, 12:17:28 AM
I think of it this way.  When they "are that way" the more words you put on the table the more chances they have to "mishear" (anyone ever have that happen?) and then try to shot you with a twisted version of your own words.

Oh heck yes.  Whatever you say will be twisted; you will be trapped in JADE and it will be a downward spiral.  I also think that we need realistic expectations.  Know that NOTHING we say will improve the situation (because likely we didn't exactly cause it); all we can do is not make it worse so we can wait it out and at some point pwBPD will go back to baseline.  I think I too get trapped in a pwBPD's thinking that I should be doing/ saying something at that moment that would make all the negative feelings go away.  And when I say something that didn't work, I move on to another... which leads to more trouble.