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Skills we were never taught
98
A 3 Minute Lesson
on Ending Conflict
Communication Skills-
Don't Be Invalidating
Listen with Empathy -
A Powerful Life Skill
Setting Boundaries
and Setting Limits
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Author Topic: Exhausted and needing guidance  (Read 504 times)
bookmark123

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Gender: Female
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Relationship status: Married
Posts: 11


« on: January 21, 2022, 11:45:28 AM »

Hello all,
I have been searching these boards for a while and joined recently after a crisis period.
I'll try to keep this brief.
Anyone with experience of what I think is an episode of delusional jealousy over friends? My undiagnosed BPD husband (3 children) has shut down again and is raging beacuse he overheard me say goodbye to a friend on the phone and I said "I love you" to her, as I always have openly said to my family and friends. He has become increasingly angry about my friend group relationships this past year, which he has had so much encouragement and been so welcome to join. This is a group of lovely families. He does not want to engage.

We have had a long history of him breaking down/ raging etc. I trigger him constantly. I have tipped toed around for years, like many, thinking I was the root cause of all his pain and beliving him when he told me what a selfish person I was. He discovered the BPD condition on line himself a few years ago and we both realized that this may be his struggle. He will not see a Psychiatrist and he does not want a diagnosis "on record". He is going to his Dr (hopefully) next week to ask for medication for recent panic attacks. I am hoping he will be referred for counseling. I am also going to have to look into counseling for myself, if I can afford it. I need some strenth to be able to keep going.I would have left years ago but for the fact that he is a truly wonderful father to our children and I do still love him. When times are good, they are great. This has also lead me to wander if there is a Bi-Polar element going on also.

Also, (sorry, I could go on for pages)...Does anyone have any experience with BPD loved ones and Cannabis use? He has smoked weed as long as I have known him. Morning to night at low level (I think?). I always let it go as he uses to control anxiety and depression instead of trying prescription meds. I am very liberal minded but he knows that the constant use upsets me. For health reasons and financial (about $350/month cost). I have suspected for years that the long term abuse may actually be making him worse. Its a debatable subject, cannabis and mental health. Help or Harm?

Any feedback is welcome. I am very grateful to have found a forum to connect with. I have never spoken about his/our struggles with anyone at all for fear of him being judged by others. I began to open up a little with 2 friends this summer and I think perhaps he senses this friendship connection and can't cope with it. He told me he was leaving me 2 weeks before Christmas because I was having an emotional affair and he didn't feel important any more. We were working things out.
It's all such a mess. I feel like I can't see anything clearly anymore but my instinct is telling me I need to continue believing in myself and not go back to the 'take all the resposibility, do/say what he needs to keep an even keel"


Ug. sorry. this was not brief
« Last Edit: February 28, 2022, 12:04:59 PM by Cat Familiar, Reason: Confidentiality » Logged
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Cat Familiar
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Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
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« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2022, 12:22:22 PM »

You are right on target with believing in yourself and not taking responsibility for another adult’s choices.  Doing the right thing (click to insert in post)

That said, it’s hard when faced with constant blame and criticism to not question yourself, but doing so, can be a sign of good mental health.

Typically people with BPD are filled with so much shame and self-loathing that they project these feelings upon their loved ones, because it is too overwhelming. This is another reason why he is addicted to weed. Smoking pot keeps him from confronting all the issues that we humans need to deal with. And, from my experience, both personally and as a partner to someone who had a substance abuse problem, keeps one emotionally stuck in perpetuity.

It’s no wonder that he’s triggered by your genuine friendships with people outside of your family. He probably feels unequipped to participate and it’s as though you having feelings for others takes away from the supply you have for him. (I know it makes no sense, but BPD is based upon feelings, not rationality.)

Counseling for you would be extremely helpful. Don’t hold your breath about him participating in counseling. It requires much time commitment to see improvement as well as willingness to look at one’s dark side, which is very difficult for people with BPD.

Many members here have found great support in attending various 12 step groups, such as CODA (codependents anonymous), which are free and can be found online. You might try checking out one or more of these groups to see if you find resonance there.
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“The Four Agreements  1. Be impeccable with your word.  2. Don’t take anything personally.  3. Don’t make assumptions.  4. Always do your best. ”     ― Miguel Ruiz, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom
bookmark123

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Gender: Female
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Who in your life has "personality" issues: Romantic partner
Relationship status: Married
Posts: 11


« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2022, 09:04:35 AM »

Thank you so much for the reassuring words and suggestions.
 I will take a look at CODA. I have seen codependency mentioned in other posts and have always dismissed it for myself as I have always viewed myself as indedependent and strong. But I am realising that in some areas I am not. I have never really held my ground with my husband, apologising for things just to keep the peace when instictively I know I should not be held entirely accountable. Wanting to talk about our struggles but never doing so because when things are bad, he is irrational and it makes everything so much worse but when things are good I don't talk because I'm relieved and enjoying being in that place and don't want to rock the boat. It really upsets me that I may be unintentionally teaching my young girls that it's ok to put up with a constant rollercoaster of a relationship. I wouldn't want this for them. At the same time, they adore and need their father. He usually manages to hold it together for them when he is going through a bad patch, they can usually detect that he is grumpy and ask me why, but often he is very high functioning for them. I am a master of disguising the tension. He can manage to laugh and joke with them one minute but the next he will walk around me without even making eye contact. An easy voice with them and a terse, curt one with me. I am aware some of this is shame on his part, and perhaps "splitting" (If I am understanding and using the term correctly). Is this common within a BPD family? As I mentioned in an introductory post somewhere else, I have a young one still in the throws of temper tantrums, a pre adolescent and a young teen. The drama from them often leaves me with no energy or desire to deal with my husband as well. I swing from being saddened by it all to feeling furious. I am sure this is not an uncommon feeling for many on this forum!
As expected, he cancelled his Dr appointment for this morning. Another very logical excuse, of course. I think you are also correct about the weed. It is such a crutch for him as he won't let himself find other tools to deal with everything.
The friend jealousy is getting worse. One of my friends is in hospital right now and a group of us are trying to help out with the children and are keeping in close contact. I very much feel that he is going to pull a "them or me" demand...
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