Hi PyneappleDays,
you H is limited in what he can express, particularly when upset. In is natural to get angry when listening to what he is saying to you and others. It is also pointless to obsess about it as you have no control but not so easy to stop yourself .
We have only been together for 8 years and he has never been in a long term relationship. When I met him he was in his 40s and single.
Only 8 years is a long time. Particularly for him. You are really important to him.
He said the next time we go to councilling and I lie he walking.
Fear of abandonment an as a short circuit reaction: Abandon the other before you are abandoned. Very common. On the other hand you have been his longest relationship. He may have a hard time to let go. Whether your H is a pwBPD or not he does have b&w thinking and is extremely stressed. For all practical short term purposes communication skills and strategies applicable to a pwBPD will b ehelpful.
We started going to concilling. The councillor (religious ) has told him to think of us as a team no her not me or mine.
Hmm, there is truth in that. But then there is also truth in that one needs boundaries. Particularly if a relationship with a pwBPD is supposed to work well. Try to introduce boundaries like the cell issue and suddenly you are dealing with abandonment and extinction bursts.
I'm not surecwhat to tell him or when for fear of getting yelled at.
What to tell him:
- content matters less than how. Delivery needs to be validating or framed in SET for contentious stuff. Don't avoid addressing the latter but use SET.
- avoid invalidation
- when yelled exist consistently and early the stage. The first times it is hard but frequency of need will decrease soon. Boundaries (see workhops) work.
Study the LESSONS and participate on the board. Figuring out where conversations took turns is greatly helped by writing it down and feedback from others.