Home page of BPDFamily.com, online relationship supportMember registration here
May 03, 2025, 10:46:51 AM *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

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  
bing
VIDEO: "What is parental alienation?" Parental alienation is when a parent allows a child to participate or hear them degrade the other parent. This is not uncommon in divorces and the children often adjust. In severe cases, however, it can be devastating to the child. This video provides a helpful overview.
204
Pages: [1]   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: Strange "connection" with BPDex?  (Read 544 times)
HappyNihilist
*******
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 1012



WWW
« on: December 16, 2014, 10:29:40 AM »

My exBPDbf and I always said we were very "connected" -- which makes sense in an enmeshed BPD r/s.   I know that this weird sense of connection is part of what has kept me attached to him. I've been trying to parse through it for myself.

With distance, I have a better logical understanding of it as far as the relationship itself... .the enmeshment, mirroring, addiction, etc. But here's something odd that's been happening since the breakup 9 months ago.

I keep journals, including dream journals. Not surprisingly, I dream about my ex sometimes, although much less now than in the first couple of months. But I have found a pattern. Whenever I've had a certain type of dream about my exbf -- a "moving on" dream, as I've come to think of them, with symbolism like us packing up boxes and leaving each other -- without fail, he has contacted me within 2 days of such dreams. Every time.

My interpretation is that, just as I'm reaching the point where he's "moving out" of my head, he pops up to reset the clock. It's like somehow he knows when this is happening. No, I don't think he's psychic or my one true soulmate, but I do think he knows me well enough to guess with remarkable accuracy.

It's unsettling, honestly.

He told me once, "You studied me just as much as I studied you." And it's true. We learned each other well, given the obstacles we had. Plus, his survival skills include intense observation, pinpointing weaknesses, and a general understanding of human nature (albeit a usually negative one), so he's really good at this.

I guess it just makes me feel a bit raw and vulnerable. I understand a little of the pain he must feel about vulnerability. Feeling so laid open and bare, and not being sure of the other person's intentions or feelings, is not a fun place to be. Whether or not I talk to him when he contacts doesn't make a difference in how I feel -- just seeing him reach out right as I'm getting to that next place is what does it for me. Just feeling like he somehow knows.

Has anyone else struggled with this feeling of "connectedness" with an exBPD?
Logged
Rise
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 623



« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2014, 11:27:07 AM »

It is really common to feel this way. And it's perfectly natural. If you are still in regular contact with your ex, yeah, it's really understandable that he's picking up on the cues you're giving about your emotional state. We all do that on some level, and I think people that are as driven by emotion as pwBPD can be even more sensitive to those cues than normal. I don't know that they always read them correctly, but I think they are hyper-sensitive to them.

Now, if you NC or really LC, I think it can have to do with the subconscious workings of our brains. I think in a lot of circumstances, it's a trick of the mind. How many times have you had a dream and not remembered it ten minutes after you wake up? How many times has he contacted you without you having a dream first? The human mind has a wonderful ability to make connections between two unrelated events. Our brains are literally hardwired to recognize patterns, even when they aren't actually there (Sidenote: This is actually one of the theories behind compulsive gambling).

Whether it was positive or negative, you had a really powerful emotional connection to your ex. Connections like that don't just disappear overnight (or at least they don't in a normal person). And I really do believe it's part of human behavior to instinctually seek out familiar connections, usually without us even being aware we are doing it (Another sidenote: that's part of why many of us keep ending up in the same unhealthy relationships without intentionally seeking them out). So when something happens, you're predisposed towards processing it in terms of an already existing connection (I really hope that makes sense, as I'm a bit under the weather and words aren't really making a lot of sense to me).

If you're not really in contact with your ex, I would suspect that you're still on some level dealing with some of that residual connection you have with your ex. Give it time. Sometimes it takes our subconscious longer to catch up to our conscious mind. I'd bet that as the more you heal, the less you're going to see these patterns with your ex.
Logged
Hawk Ridge
****
Offline Offline

What is your sexual orientation: Gay, lesb
Posts: 303



« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2014, 12:20:10 PM »

I have heard a lot about BPD's having intuition. 
Logged

HappyNihilist
*******
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 1012



WWW
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2014, 12:57:55 PM »

It is really common to feel this way. And it's perfectly natural. If you are still in regular contact with your ex, yeah, it's really understandable that he's picking up on the cues you're giving about your emotional state. We all do that on some level, and I think people that are as driven by emotion as pwBPD can be even more sensitive to those cues than normal. I don't know that they always read them correctly, but I think they are hyper-sensitive to them.

I agree 100%. pwBPD are very sensitive to emotional cues, although like you noted, they don't always read them correctly. When my ex and I were together, it astounded me how sensitive he was to such things.

Now, if you NC or really LC, I think it can have to do with the subconscious workings of our brains. I think in a lot of circumstances, it's a trick of the mind. How many times have you had a dream and not remembered it ten minutes after you wake up? How many times has he contacted you without you having a dream first? The human mind has a wonderful ability to make connections between two unrelated events. Our brains are literally hardwired to recognize patterns, even when they aren't actually there (Sidenote: This is actually one of the theories behind compulsive gambling).

I really did need to hear this. Thank you. I think I'm definitely struggling with some confirmation bias here.  Smiling (click to insert in post) We are in LC, and have only talked about 5 times since the breakup, with typically around 2 months in between each contact (initiated by him).

Whether it was positive or negative, you had a really powerful emotional connection to your ex. Connections like that don't just disappear overnight (or at least they don't in a normal person). And I really do believe it's part of human behavior to instinctually seek out familiar connections, usually without us even being aware we are doing it (Another sidenote: that's part of why many of us keep ending up in the same unhealthy relationships without intentionally seeking them out). So when something happens, you're predisposed towards processing it in terms of an already existing connection (I really hope that makes sense, as I'm a bit under the weather and words aren't really making a lot of sense to me).

You make perfect sense. And I hope that you feel better soon! I'm struggling with a winter cold/sinus issues right now myself, so I definitely understand.

You're right. I can't expect a connection like that to just disappear once the r/s has ended, but it's also not realistic to assign additional meaning to it.

If you're not really in contact with your ex, I would suspect that you're still on some level dealing with some of that residual connection you have with your ex. Give it time. Sometimes it takes our subconscious longer to catch up to our conscious mind. I'd bet that as the more you heal, the less you're going to see these patterns with your ex.

I definitely think my subconscious is running to catch up.   This is typically how I process things... .eventually it all comes together... .but I forget that sometimes, and get confused by myself.  Laugh out loud (click to insert in post)

I feel indescribably healthier and better since the breakup. Sometimes it's important to remember that it all happens on its own schedule.  Smiling (click to insert in post)
Logged
billypilgrim
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Relationship status: Separated since 10/2014. Divorce will be finalized 10/2015.
Posts: 266


« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2014, 01:02:50 PM »

Mine always talked about an "aura" or "energy" she had.  Not sure if it's the same sort of connection thing you are talking about but I see some similarities.  Her mother had this "power" as well.  They both believed it fully (her mother is diagnosed bipolar/BPD).  They are both very intuitive.  They professed that they could read people very well.  Sense things others couldn't.  Street lights would go out when walking by at night.  That last bit did happen, quite often actually.  I just put it to coincidence or something with the light.  They believed it to be an effect of their energy.  

 
Logged
enlighten me
********
Offline Offline

Gender: Male
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 3289



« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2014, 01:09:23 PM »

A few posters here myself included have said that yhey get a feeling the ex is going to do something and then they do. I used to have a feeling she was going to reach out and within a few hours or even minutes I would either have a message about something trivial or she would post on face book something about or a picture of our son. She would also post profile picture changes. It statted freaking my friends out at work with how accurate it was.

weird stuff.
Logged

Hadlee
formerly busygall
****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Who in your life has "personality" issues: Ex-romantic partner
Posts: 424


« Reply #6 on: December 17, 2014, 07:50:46 AM »

I definitely believe they have a sixth sense.  It's uncanny the amount of times my friend has literally read my mind.

I remember a time when her and I were in a meeting at work with a couple of other colleagues - a discussion started up about bringing another person into our team.  Her and I just looked at each other, shook our head and said, "yeah... .maybe... .no".  We both knew exactly who we were thinking about yet there was no need to say the persons name.  It was like we were talking our very own language in our own bubble.  Suffice to say... .our colleagues turned a shade of white Laugh out loud (click to insert in post)

I have quite a few spiritual moments seeing spirits, etc, and have strong intuition, but I have never experienced anything quite like that before.  It truly was freaky! 
Logged
downwhim
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
What is your sexual orientation: Straight
Posts: 707



« Reply #7 on: December 17, 2014, 09:18:47 AM »

My ex use to say "I can read you, I know you better than anyone else." He was right. He studied me so he usually knew my next move. Strange.
Logged
Can You Help Us Stay on the Air in 2024?

Pages: [1]   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

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



Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2006-2020, Simple Machines Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!