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
June 16, 2024, 09:07:04 AM
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
Things we can't ignore
What Does it Take to Be in a Relationship
Why We Struggle in Our Relationships
Is Your Relationship Breaking Down?
Codependency and Codependent Relationships
93
BPDFamily.com
>
Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+)
>
Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup
> Topic:
A Perfect Description of BPD in Spouse
Pages: [
1
]
Go Down
« previous
next »
Print
Author
Topic: A Perfect Description of BPD in Spouse (Read 416 times)
takingandsending
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: Married, 15 years; together 18 years
Posts: 1121
A Perfect Description of BPD in Spouse
«
on:
August 15, 2014, 03:06:42 PM »
Hi all. I came across this on the web from a young woman who has BPD. She has been in long term therapy and gave this description, which fits nearly exactly what my wife has been saying to me for over a decade. It is a starting place for understanding. It explains some of the seemingly undecipherable language that my uBPDw uses - "not being in her body", "routine is critical", why she totally disrespects my boundaries because I am inconsistent with them. I hope it benefits those of you trying to understand, trying to make your relationship work.
"Another ongoing struggle for me is that my boundaries seem really fragile. At times, I feel like my sense of self is shattered and bits of me are lying everywhere. This is a very vulnerable and threatening feeling. Boundaries are what keep you intact as a person. They let you know where you end and others begin. Having a sense of boundaries helps you know you are in control of your own behaviour. Losing those boundaries can feel like you are flowing everywhere, like spilled milk.
When I lose my boundaries, I so want someone else to be able to understand how I feel and help me put all the pieces back together. But it also feels threatening for anyone else to come too close to me. I tend to dissociate a lot during these times, which is like spacing out and not really feeling like you’re inside your body.
While others can support me in re-establishing boundaries, it seems like it has to be an inside job. I need to regain the sense of control over my own behaviour. Grounding myself and being connected with my body is important. I need to be able to define what is safe for me. It can be a long process, over the course of weeks.
When my sense of self is unstable, it helps when people in my life are clear about their boundaries with me and keep them consistent. I feel more in control of my own behaviour when I know what others expect from me. For example, knowing that my therapy session will end at the same time every week is important because then I know I can’t do things to try and extend it. It may be hard for me in the moment when people set those boundaries, but it is better in the long term. Having a consistent routine in my life also gives me the feeling that life is predictable and helps me feel more secure.
Another recurring theme to do with BPD is referred to in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria as, “chronic feelings of emptiness.”1 I think saying it that way makes it sound so benign. The actual experience is a lot more raw. It’s an intense kind of longing . . . as if someone you really love has died and you want them back terribly.
Even though I have created a support network for myself, sometimes I still struggle with a colossal sense of aloneness. It comes like a tidal wave and sweeps away all memory of connections to people. I may have seen someone an hour ago, but I can’t remember how it felt to be with them."
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.
Pages: [
1
]
Go Up
Print
BPDFamily.com
>
Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+)
>
Romantic Relationship | Bettering a Relationship or Reversing a Breakup
> Topic:
A Perfect Description of BPD in Spouse
« 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...