Therapist recommended this site - first time poster Brother with BPD

[Depression = 72% of members]

Hi All,

I am here because I believe my brother has BPD. He has not been formerly diagnosed (because he won't go to the doctor/therapist/etc.) but I have done a lot of research and he has many of the symptoms. My therapist suggested I come here to talk with people in similar situations who can relate. I am just so worried about him, he makes some form of suicidal comment almost every time I see him, which is typically once or twice a month. I feel like I am the only person in my family who really understands the seriousness of what he's going through, not that my family is taking it lightly, I just feel this sense of responsibility to help him. I know there's only so much I can do but I want to ease his pain. I bought the book Walking on Eggshells by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger a couple days ago so I'm going to start reading that tonight. I'm hoping it helps me understand how best to interact with him and maybe I can encourage my family to read it as well.
Anyway, I am happy to have been lead to this site and look forward to hearing from you all.

All the best,
LovingmyBrother

[LovingmyBrother]

Hi All,

I am here because I believe my brother has BPD. He has not been formerly diagnosed (because he won't go to the doctor/therapist/etc.) but I have done a lot of research and he has many of the symptoms. My therapist suggested I come here to talk with people in similar situations who can relate. I am just so worried about him, he makes some form of suicidal comment almost every time I see him, which is typically once or twice a month. I feel like I am the only person in my family who really understands the seriousness of what he's going through, not that my family is taking it lightly, I just feel this sense of responsibility to help him. I know there's only so much I can do but I want to ease his pain. I bought the book Walking on Eggshells by Paul T. Mason and Randi Kreger a couple days ago so I'm going to start reading that tonight. I'm hoping it helps me understand how best to interact with him and maybe I can encourage my family to read it as well.
Anyway, I am happy to have been lead to this site and look forward to hearing from you all.

All the best,
LovingmyBrother

[pursuingJoy]

Good morning, LovingmyBrother! Welcome to bpdfamily! So glad you came across our online community, and thanks for sharing what's going on with your brother.   

It can be so disheartening when other people aren't ready to face or accept reality. I'm sorry your family isn't taking this more seriously. Many of us here are in the same boat with loved ones. I've had to come to accept that I cannot force my husband to see anything he doesn't want to about his BPD mom. The good news is that because BPD is about dysfunctional relating, you can learn all about it and you can do right by your brother by changing the way you see him and his behavior.

I'm reading Walking on Eggshells too! Currently on chapter 9. Has anything struck you so far?

Know you're not alone.
pj