Advice.. an occurrence that happens during a BPD episode... What is it?

[White Feather]

Hi Everyone,

I would be interested to know whether any one else who has witnessed the same thing. It is quite unnerving to watch, and two of us on here have seen exactly the same thing but don't understand it... When a BPD is having a rage in my case this has only happen 4 times in about 15 years of witnessing my fathers rages.

He basically does this thing where he is almost having a conversation with an "invisible person" who is instructing him as to what to do or say. He listens and answers back and is in the absolute "ultimate "rage" once I tried to intervene because I was honestly quite scared watching it. And the venom that came out of his mouth was very frightening to listen to (much worse than normal). If anyone else has witnessed the same or knows what this is called I would be interested even to know whether this is the norm in an episode.

Many thanks in advance for any replies

[White Feather]

Hi I would just like to ask a question as to whether anyone else has witnessed this and what is it called. It's a little scared when it happens... Basically when my father has a really bad episode, he basically has a conversation with an "invisible person" It's like he is getting advice from an external other, his head moves as if he is listening and he talks very rapidly. When I first saw it I was so worried about him as I thought he had truly lost it, I tried to talk him "down" and get him back to reality. Wasn't the best thing to do, it is nothing like a Schizophrenic episode as I have seen "people talking to themselves" I used to work in that field a while ago. Is it a panic response,  severe rage a calming mechanism for BPD sufferers? I really would love any thoughts because as well as being scary to witness. If I knew what it was precisely I would like to know what to do if/when it happens again. After dad has one of the ultimate rages he goes very quiet and sleeps it off, and then is a little spaced out/ vacant afterwards. Any opinions or advice re this occurrence would be so appreciated. Thank you.

[GaGrl]

It sounds like a form of dissociation, but I'm not sure who he would be talking to.

[White Feather]

Thank you for your reply I expect it is some kind of disassociate occurance. All so complicated and I guess sometimes there is not a definitive answer. The mind is such a complicated thing, I feel my father does have two to three Cluster B traits and I doubt I will ever truly understand. I need to focus more on my self care and that is what I need to do.

[GaGrl]

It does sound as if several things are going on here -- co-author disorders.

Has your father ever been in in-patient care?

[White Feather]

Thank you for your reply Dad has not ever had Inpatient Care. Just counselling after actually planning suicide and an incident that was anger related that involved the judicial system.He is extremely complex and very intelligent and will never be able to be assessed by a professional, even if it was forced on him. He is very aware of his character/reputation and can manipulate people effortlessly (me included).If he is having an episode or not getting sufficient "emotional supply" he will act out. He is very high functioning and  everyone that has lived with him has suffered  greatly. It is something sadly that will never change. Medical intervention won't happen with dad he would play them like a fiddle (and they would think he was the most self effacing person they had ever encountered)! If I could say otherwise I would, what can you do its terribly sad for him and all that have been in his life.

[IvyB]

I *think* I've seen the same with my uBPD mom a few times. It's incredibly scary.
She flies into this intense rage, says very mean things about me, and whoever else...etc. It's like the floodgates open and things that happened months ago or years ago fly out of her mouth with intensity and rage. The next day she is upset at me for making her upset, but says she doesn't remember what she said. I always thought she was lying, but now I'm starting to think it's a dissociative spell.
DSM criteria #9 for BPD: "Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe dissociative symptoms"
Does this sound like what your dad has?
If it happens again with my mom (I'm sure it will), I'm going to leave and protect myself. No one deserves this!