Supporting a Parent with BPD — How Do You Cope and Set Boundaries?

[Depression = 72% of members]

Hi everyone,

I’m new here and wanted to start a discussion about something I think many of us struggle with — balancing compassion with self-protection when a parent has Borderline Personality Disorder.

In my case, my parent’s emotional swings and sensitivity can make even small interactions unpredictable. I’ve been reading about setting healthy boundaries, but it’s still incredibly difficult not to feel guilty or responsible when they become upset.

I’d love to hear how others manage:

How do you maintain contact without being drawn into emotional chaos?

What has helped you separate your own sense of self from their reactions?

Are there specific coping tools or routines that have made a real difference for you?

I’m hoping this can be a space where we can share what’s actually worked — not just theory, but real strategies for day-to-day life.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to learning from your experiences.

— Scott

[Scott William]

Hi everyone,

I’m new here and wanted to start a discussion about something I think many of us struggle with — balancing compassion with self-protection when a parent has Borderline Personality Disorder.

In my case, my parent’s emotional swings and sensitivity can make even small interactions unpredictable. I’ve been reading about setting healthy boundaries, but it’s still incredibly difficult not to feel guilty or responsible when they become upset.

I’d love to hear how others manage:

How do you maintain contact without being drawn into emotional chaos?

What has helped you separate your own sense of self from their reactions?

Are there specific coping tools or routines that have made a real difference for you?

I’m hoping this can be a space where we can share what’s actually worked — not just theory, but real strategies for day-to-day life.

Thanks for reading, and I look forward to learning from your experiences.

— Scott