Diagnosis + Treatment
The Big Picture
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde? [ Video ]
Five Dimensions of Human Personality
Think It's BPD but How Can I Know?
DSM Criteria for Personality Disorders
Treatment of BPD [ Video ]
Getting a Loved One Into Therapy
Top 50 Questions Members Ask
Home page
Forum
List of discussion groups
Making a first post
Find last post
Discussion group guidelines
Tips
Romantic relationship in or near breakup
Child (adult or adolescent) with BPD
Sibling or Parent with BPD
Boyfriend/Girlfriend with BPD
Partner or Spouse with BPD
Surviving a Failed Romantic Relationship
Tools
Wisemind
Ending conflict (3 minute lesson)
Listen with Empathy
Don't Be Invalidating
Setting boundaries
On-line CBT
Book reviews
Member workshops
About
Mission and Purpose
Website Policies
Membership Eligibility
Please Donate
December 22, 2024, 08:59:44 PM
Welcome,
Guest
. Please
login
or
register
.
1 Hour
5 Hours
1 Day
1 Week
Forever
Login with username, password and session length
Board Admins:
Kells76
,
Once Removed
,
Turkish
Senior Ambassadors:
EyesUp
,
SinisterComplex
Help!
Boards
Please Donate
Login to Post
New?--Click here to register
Books members most read
105
The High
Conflict Couple
Loving Someone with
Borderline Personality Disorder
Loving the
Self-Absorbed
Borderline Personality
Disorder Demystified
BPDFamily.com
>
Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+)
>
Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup
> Topic:
I have a question
Pages: [
1
]
Go Down
« previous
next »
Print
Author
Topic: I have a question (Read 615 times)
benny2
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 373
I have a question
«
on:
May 15, 2013, 04:57:55 PM »
I understand that pwBPD have a deep fear of engolfment and the closer you get to them the more they push you away. I have been there so many times with my pwBPD, but my question is, if they do this to everyone they are in a relationship with, then how could he have been married twice? He obviously was able to make a comittment with them, but he can't seem to with me. I just don't it. I am completely different from them. I feel I am more put together and attractive. What is it about me that he can't comitt but feels he has to keep me in his life?
Logged
RELATIONSHIP PROBLEM SOLVING
This is a high level discussion board for solving ongoing, day-to-day relationship conflicts. Members are welcomed to express frustration but must seek constructive solutions to problems. This is not a place for relationship "stay" or "leave" discussions. Please read the specific guidelines for this group.
123Phoebe
Staying and Undecided
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Posts: 2070
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #1 on:
May 15, 2013, 05:17:38 PM »
Hi benny,
It might not have anything to do with BPD. He may have had a terrible time while in the marriages and doesn't want to go through it again, risking another divorce. He might equate suffering with marriage. Nothing to do with you at all. Just the idea of that big of a commitment might send him running. I know that I'm a little gun shy to get married again. That horrible feeling of being trapped in an awful marriage? Yuck, once was enough
Logged
bruceli
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 636
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #2 on:
May 15, 2013, 05:59:04 PM »
Quote from: benny2 on May 15, 2013, 04:57:55 PM
I understand that pwBPD have a deep fear of engolfment and the closer you get to them the more they push you away. I have been there so many times with my pwBPD, but my question is, if they do this to everyone they are in a relationship with, then how could he have been married twice? He obviously was able to make a comittment with them, but he can't seem to with me. I just don't it. I am completely different from them. I feel I am more put together and attractive. What is it about me that he can't comitt but feels he has to keep me in his life?
The ultimate rush of the push/pull... . BPDw was the one who brought up marriage all the time. Would actually raise her hand and point at her finger and say when is this coming. Within 3 weeks after I proposed, the I don't know if this is what I want speechs began... .
Logged
benny2
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 373
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #3 on:
May 15, 2013, 06:38:42 PM »
burceli, that sounds very typical.
Logged
benny2
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 373
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #4 on:
May 15, 2013, 06:43:59 PM »
123phoebe, that is what he explains to me. He is afraid to comitt again. Both his ex's took everything he had and he had to start over both times. I understand that totally, but I am not them and I have explained to him that its not fair to punish me for what they did. I am nothing like them and would never take anything away from him.
Logged
123Phoebe
Staying and Undecided
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Posts: 2070
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #5 on:
May 15, 2013, 07:05:53 PM »
I understand that it feels like punishment to you. His fears have nothing to do with you personally; he'd probably like to feel free enough to love you wholeheartedly and give you everything you ask for. That's not the issue though, his fears are HIS fears and have everything to do with him and his ideas about commitment... .
Does that make sense?
When you tell him he's punishing you, I would imagine he feels extreme pressure; another bad feeling surrounding commitment.
That's a big reason why it's important for those of us who choose to stay in a BPD relationship to allow for quite a bit of emotional space. Not full out detachment from them, but detachment from our grandiose notions of what pwBPD are really capable of giving us in the emotional department.
It's not that he doesn't care about you, benny. He's simply not able to give you what you're telling him you need. And it feels like punishment.
Logged
Rockylove
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Posts: 827
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #6 on:
May 15, 2013, 07:16:44 PM »
Quote from: benny2 on May 15, 2013, 06:43:59 PM
123phoebe, that is what he explains to me. He is afraid to comitt again. Both his ex's took everything he had and he had to start over both times. I understand that totally, but I am not them and I have explained to him that its not fair to punish me for what they did. I am nothing like them and would never take anything away from him.
I never even said I wanted to get married and he asked me... . twice now. He says that I'm the most non-materialistic person he's ever met, yet also says that I'm a c@#t like every other c@#t that just wants his money... . well, I informed him that if I were after money, I'd seek someone who really had some!
Logged
benny2
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 373
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #7 on:
May 15, 2013, 07:41:38 PM »
I understand what you are saying Phoebe. Having said that, I guess I need to decide at some point if this is what I want, someone who will never be able to commit. Without it, I would never be able to live with him again as it is to easy for him to just say get out and I do not want to live the rest of my life alone.
Logged
waverider
Retired Staff
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Relationship status: married 8 yrs, together 16yrs
Posts: 7407
If YOU don't change, things will stay the same
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #8 on:
May 15, 2013, 08:01:00 PM »
pwBPD often live mentally in an idealized world. One which they cannot maintain physically. Dreams and wants are unsustainable when realized as reality and imagination do not match.
He may have desired marriage, but could not sustain it. He may have realized this and is scared to be put to the test again.
It is common for pwBPD to run once they get what they desired, because the idealized goal was just an escapism from real life. Once realized it is no longer escapism it is real life. They now need a new escapism, that need cannot be satisfied.
If you wish to live with a pwBPD you need to accept they will always have big dreams, without you trying to meet them, or expect them to take real steps to achieve them.
Also your version of commitment maybe somewhat different. Consistency is not a strong point
Logged
Reality is shared and open to debate, feelings are individual and real
yeeter
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Relationship status: Married
Posts: 2210
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #9 on:
May 15, 2013, 08:38:27 PM »
Is it marriage? Or is it the commitment? Commitment doesn't have to equal marriage.
I have friends that state they will never marry again. But that doesn't mean they won't be in a committed relationship. It may very well be that the two of you have different positions in this, and it upsets him because he knows you differ on it (so pressure, stress, fear all triggered)
You can put me in the group of being gunshy as well... . This might be a growing population
Logged
benny2
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 373
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #10 on:
May 15, 2013, 09:12:19 PM »
yeeter, I never mentioned the word marriage. I only told him I wanted a committed relationship. He does'nt want me with anyone else. He does'nt want to loose me yet I don't think he totally knows what he wants with me. I have been through hell and back with this man but the relationship has been all about him. I believe he is trying now, but there is still something not right. I think maybe he is trying because he does not want to loose me but its not really what he wants. The sad thing about it is, I don't think he knows what he wants and I'm not sure he ever will.
Logged
123Phoebe
Staying and Undecided
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Posts: 2070
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #11 on:
May 16, 2013, 05:25:29 AM »
Benny, have you had a chance to read the lessons available to the right of this page? I mean, read them and really absorb them?
So much of that 'all about them' phenomenon has to do with our own interactions with our partners; we make it all about them, too. We think about them all the time, we get upset, we don't understand where they're coming from and a lot of the time we don't try to understand them either, because we're too busy reacting to whatever the crisis du jour is, sometimes of our own making. Our self esteem takes a blow dealing with all this upset and we don't have the strength to stand back and get a better perspective.
We tend to forget that we have a lot more control over our own lives then we give ourselves credit for. In fact, we have ALL the control over what we will and won't allow into our lives. Their needs
seem
to take precedence, because their entire lives have been devoted to fine tuning their unhealthy defense mechanisms. Around every corner lurks a trigger. When we react to these mechanisms with equal amounts of emotional force... . there's yet another trigger that solidifies in their mind, another reason to have these defense mechanisms in the first place.
In order to survive (and thrive!) in any relationship, we have to have our own emotional space. Enough space to be able to recognize what's their unhealthy dysfunction and what ours is, too. Our stuff/their stuff. We only have control over our stuff, so that's where our focus needs to be. Then we build on what IS good between us. We have the insight, so it's up to us to make the changes and hopefully while doing so, they're able to learn to trust us a little more. And it keeps building... .
It's a lifestyle change. It takes time, hard work, patience, compassion (for ourselves, too!)... .
When we apply all of the excellent resources available on this site-- boundaries, communication tools, invaluable lessons etc... . When we absorb and apply all of this into our lives, learn new ways of being ourselves in the world, great things happen! We gain strength and the courage to face anything that comes our way, with grace and composure and a feeling that we're okay, just as we are. Among a whole lot of other wonderful things, too... .
Sometimes we let relationships go and sometimes we find great reasons to stay and build on what we have. Ultimately, what we do is up to us. It great when we get to the place where we realize this and start living our lives to the fullest
Logged
bruceli
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 636
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #12 on:
May 16, 2013, 02:35:18 PM »
If you wish to live with a pwBPD you need to accept they will always have big dreams, without you trying to meet them, or expect them to take real steps to achieve them.
Soo true waverider... . Of all the dreams/things BPDw says she is going to do... . she has maybe done about 10% of them and 0% torwards any long term ones. Even saying going to beach tomorrow will never come to fruition the next day.
Logged
bruceli
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 636
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #13 on:
May 16, 2013, 02:38:58 PM »
Quote from: yeeter on May 15, 2013, 08:38:27 PM
Is it marriage? Or is it the commitment? Commitment doesn't have to equal marriage.
I my case I don't believe it is either... . I believe it's the responsibility that comes with both marriage and commitment. They want it on their own terms. Committed when it suits them, alone when it suits them.
Logged
yeeter
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Relationship status: Married
Posts: 2210
Re: I have a question
«
Reply #14 on:
May 16, 2013, 05:52:28 PM »
What I was getting at, was 'what does commitment look like to you?'
It's likely that we all have a different mental model of what 'commitment' means, and the underlying motivation on why it's desired even. Understanding these might give more insight to yourself on what you are really seeking.
Most times marriage in and of itself isn't the goal, it's an assumed set of expectations that come along with it. And no two people share the same assumptions. So it digressed. Healthy people adjust. Unhealthy people react.
For aperson with BPD,it might be hard for them to know what they really want (because emotionally, it's all over the map). But if you can provide a strond and consistent direction and leadership, often they will tag on for the ride.
Logged
Can You Help Us Stay on the Air in 2024?
Pages: [
1
]
Go Up
Print
BPDFamily.com
>
Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+)
>
Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup
> Topic:
I have a question
« previous
next »
Jump to:
Please select a destination:
-----------------------------
Help Desk
-----------------------------
===> Open board
-----------------------------
Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+)
-----------------------------
=> Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup
=> Romantic Relationship | Conflicted About Continuing, Divorcing/Custody, Co-parenting
=> Romantic Relationship | Detaching and Learning after a Failed Relationship
-----------------------------
Children, Parents, or Relatives with BPD
-----------------------------
=> Son, Daughter or Son/Daughter In-law with BPD
=> Parent, Sibling, or In-law Suffering from BPD
-----------------------------
Community Built Knowledge Base
-----------------------------
=> Library: Psychology questions and answers
=> Library: Tools and skills workshops
=> Library: Book Club, previews and discussions
=> Library: Video, audio, and pdfs
=> Library: Content to critique for possible feature articles
=> Library: BPDFamily research surveys
Our 2023 Financial Sponsors
We are all appreciative of the members who provide the funding to keep BPDFamily on the air.
12years
alterK
AskingWhy
At Bay
Cat Familiar
CoherentMoose
drained1996
EZEarache
Flora and Fauna
ForeverDad
Gemsforeyes
Goldcrest
Harri
healthfreedom4s
hope2727
khibomsis
Lemon Squeezy
Memorial Donation (4)
Methos
Methuen
Mommydoc
Mutt
P.F.Change
Penumbra66
Red22
Rev
SamwizeGamgee
Skip
Swimmy55
Tartan Pants
Turkish
whirlpoollife
Loading...