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
May 10, 2025, 12:21:14 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
Depression = 72% of members
Take the test, read about the implications, and check out the remedies.
111
BPDFamily.com
>
Relationship Partner with BPD (Straight and LGBT+)
>
Romantic Relationship | Detaching and Learning after a Failed Relationship
> Topic:
Speaking of the lack of Empathy
Pages: [
1
]
Go Down
« previous
next »
Print
Author
Topic: Speaking of the lack of Empathy (Read 789 times)
Turkish
BOARD ADMINISTRATOR
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Other
Relationship status: "Divorced"/abandoned by SO in Feb 2014; Mother with BPD, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety: RIP in 2021.
Posts: 12183
Dad to my wolf pack
Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
on:
October 16, 2014, 03:42:10 PM »
I got an email from my Ex yesterday referring me to some personal empowerment motivational book. The email was a two word message. I can count the non-kid related messages from her in the last 9 months she she's been gone on one hand. This was out of the blue.
Apparently, the recommendation was sent to her by her boyfriend (aka The Homewrecker). She didn't bother to edit out the header, so I saw his email address and who it was from.
As Rudy used to say on the old Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids cartoon, that's like "school at midnight:"
No. Class.
I didn't respond.
What would it gain me?
In any case, it seems like they are a better match, because they both seem to be into the large group awareness training/motivational stuff, which is the opposite of me. Go Team! If it keeps her happy, then it's less trouble for me as a parent on my side.
Logged
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” ― Rudyard Kipling
walksoftly
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 111
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #1 on:
October 16, 2014, 03:44:47 PM »
Right after she left me for my replacement(they were together for months while we were married) my daughter called me, who is nine and in the background her mother told her to tell me to go on e harmony. This was after a ten year marriage... .Go team!
Logged
fred6
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 808
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #2 on:
October 16, 2014, 03:55:17 PM »
Quote from: walksoftly on October 16, 2014, 03:44:47 PM
Right after she left me for my replacement(they were together for months while we were married) my daughter called me, who is nine and in the background her mother told her to tell me to go on e harmony. This was after a ten year marriage... .Go team!
Mine told me she would always love me. Then I confronted her with lying and cheating. Then she told me I was "worthless, useless, and a mistake... .GO
TEAM
AWAY".
Logged
Blimblam
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 2892
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #3 on:
October 16, 2014, 03:57:06 PM »
Turkish
I can relate. Those moments where they reach out to "feed" you and slap you at the same time. It so passive aggressive and in the FOG was crazy making.
At least your at the point that you can feel the emotions and not be shut off.
what emotions does this trigger in you?
Logged
Turkish
BOARD ADMINISTRATOR
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Other
Relationship status: "Divorced"/abandoned by SO in Feb 2014; Mother with BPD, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety: RIP in 2021.
Posts: 12183
Dad to my wolf pack
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #4 on:
October 17, 2014, 09:43:45 PM »
Quote from: Blimblam on October 16, 2014, 03:57:06 PM
Turkish
I can relate. Those moments where they reach out to "feed" you and slap you at the same time. It so passive aggressive and in the FOG was crazy making.
At least your at the point that you can feel the emotions and not be shut off.
what emotions does this trigger in you?
Anger, and incredulity that she is so careless. She's internally compartmentalized. I realize that, which is why I didn't resopond, notwithstanding that I found the reference silly. As my T said earlier in the year, "I sense that a lot of your anger stems from you expecting her to be someone she is not." Radical acceptance.
She just called to talk about kid issues. I get the kids for 4 hours halloween evening per the custody agreement. She suggested I just keep them overnight after trick or treating, her night. She'll do activities with them during the day, she said, but I'm sure she has parties to go to at night. She is who she is. More importantly, I am who I am
Logged
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” ― Rudyard Kipling
myself
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 3151
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #5 on:
October 17, 2014, 10:40:31 PM »
She can post/send whatever she feels to, but if she doesn't walk the walk... .
You're
digging deep, and standing by it. Your kids will grow from that, as well.
If her freedom means you're picking up her slack, is she really 'free'?
Make sure you accept yourself for who you
are
, not for who you're not.
Like my T said, "You did your best. Keep doing that."
It seems many pwBPD feel 'empowered' at Halloween. Because of masks?
Logged
Turkish
BOARD ADMINISTRATOR
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Other
Relationship status: "Divorced"/abandoned by SO in Feb 2014; Mother with BPD, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety: RIP in 2021.
Posts: 12183
Dad to my wolf pack
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #6 on:
October 17, 2014, 11:24:48 PM »
Quote from: myself on October 17, 2014, 10:40:31 PM
She can post/send whatever she feels to, but if she doesn't walk the walk... .
You're
digging deep, and standing by it. Your kids will grow from that, as well.
If her freedom means you're picking up her slack, is she really 'free'?
Make sure you accept yourself for who you
are
, not for who you're not.
Like my T said, "You did your best. Keep doing that."
It seems many pwBPD feel 'empowered' at Halloween.
Because of masks?
Maybe, or she just wants to party with her young bf to keep him. I know that's what it really is.
She told me that S4 thanked God in his prayers that Mommy wasn't so angry lately. She laughed and said that he made it sound like she was angry all of the time, but she wasn't. Part of her thinks this stuff is cute. I said that is how she feels, but he's 4, consider how he feels. I was pretty calm on the outside talking to her (I want her to keep volunteering this info to me), but she doesn't get it. Shallow empathy.
Logged
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” ― Rudyard Kipling
Blimblam
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 2892
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #7 on:
October 17, 2014, 11:49:39 PM »
Quote from: Turkish on October 17, 2014, 09:43:45 PM
Quote from: Blimblam on October 16, 2014, 03:57:06 PM
Turkish
I can relate. Those moments where they reach out to "feed" you and slap you at the same time. It so passive aggressive and in the FOG was crazy making.
At least your at the point that you can feel the emotions and not be shut off.
what emotions does this trigger in you?
Anger, and incredulity that she is so careless. She's internally compartmentalized. I realize that, which is why I didn't resopond, notwithstanding that I found the reference silly. As my T said earlier in the year, "I sense that a lot of your anger stems from you expecting her to be someone she is not." Radical acceptance.
She just called to talk about kid issues. I get the kids for 4 hours halloween evening per the custody agreement. She suggested I just keep them overnight after trick or treating, her night. She'll do activities with them during the day, she said, but I'm sure she has parties to go to at night. She is who she is. More importantly, I am who I am
I can imagine your anger. I don't know how I would be able to cope with that myself.
She's chasing her own tail.
How do you manage your anger?
Logged
Turkish
BOARD ADMINISTRATOR
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Other
Relationship status: "Divorced"/abandoned by SO in Feb 2014; Mother with BPD, PTSD, Depression and Anxiety: RIP in 2021.
Posts: 12183
Dad to my wolf pack
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #8 on:
October 18, 2014, 12:08:50 AM »
Quote from: Blimblam on October 17, 2014, 11:49:39 PM
I can imagine your anger. I don't know how I would be able to cope with that myself.
She's chasing her own tail.
How do you manage your anger?
I stuff it at the moment. I learned to do this growing up with BPD mom. But the most helpful thing is time. Reacting isn't helpful, but giving it time helps... it gives me time to process. When I talk to her, I like to think I go Joe Carver (the breaking up with a BPD article). I'm emotionless. Bland. Boring.
I can ruminate with the best of us here, but giving pause, helps to detach from my strong emotions. I have whole conversations I keep in my head of what I'd really like to say. I say them to "her" in my head, and it calms me down enough so when I really have to talk to her I'm Zen.
Logged
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” ― Rudyard Kipling
peiper
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 805
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #9 on:
October 18, 2014, 12:16:50 AM »
I can so relate Turkish. Mine has zero empathy ! Hang in there bud.
Logged
Blimblam
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 2892
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #10 on:
October 18, 2014, 12:20:48 AM »
I find when I am able to cry to be one of the most powerful releases. Every big ipiphany breakthrough happened when i was bawling my eyes out. The most powerful tool I have found to tap into those deep down emotions is the audio of swan lake by Tchaikovsky. If you have seen black swan it's about a borderline woman. It helps me connect to my foo issue emotions with my BPD mom also that I have stuffed down deep. I had major anger issues in my youth and I conditioned myself to repress my anger and my emotions.
Swan suite
www.youtu.be/SDhq70yrtiI
I hope this helps you as much as it helps me. It takes me about 2 minutes to tap in and has me crying from the pits of my soul.
Logged
peiper
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 805
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #11 on:
October 18, 2014, 12:40:22 AM »
Boy I wish I could cry ! I can get a couple of tears out and then nothing. Might have something to do with promising myself when I was young that Id never cry over the way someone treated me.
Logged
Blimblam
Offline
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 2892
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #12 on:
October 18, 2014, 12:59:12 AM »
Quote from: peiper on October 18, 2014, 12:40:22 AM
Boy I wish I could cry ! I can get a couple of tears out and then nothing. Might have something to do with promising myself when I was young that Id never cry over the way someone treated me.
Tchaikovsky his music taps into the highs and lows the futility and the valiant efforts. Often satirical almost cynical and the whimsical fantasy and the painful tragedy. Give it a try. He's my favorite composer.
Logged
Mutt
Retired Staff
Offline
Gender:
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: Divorced Oct 2015
Posts: 10400
Re: Speaking of the lack of Empathy
«
Reply #13 on:
October 18, 2014, 10:45:06 PM »
Quote from: Turkish on October 16, 2014, 03:42:10 PM
As Rudy used to say on the old Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids cartoon, that's like "school at midnight:"
No. Class.
I'm sorry Turk. That's funny. I love Fat Albert.
Rudy's right. No class.
Turk you're showing you've got class. I'd be angry getting such an e-mail. It could be a mistake. A passive aggressive act. Who knows? Considering the person that sent it has a distorted belief system. I'm sorry she sent an e-mail like that. I agree with you it takes time and you have nothing to gain. Channel Joe Carver.
Logged
"Let go or be dragged" -Zen proverb
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 | Detaching and Learning after a Failed Relationship
> Topic:
Speaking of the lack of Empathy
« 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...