Nephew leaving home = BPD brother lashing out

[Couscous]

BPD brother’s youngest is about to leave home, meaning that he will officially be an empty nester, which is triggering his separation anxiety. Naturally, he is taking this out on me…

Would anyone have any advice on what I can do to offer him emotional support during this time while not being his emotional punching bag? He sent me a nasty email, and I replied by ignoring the content while validating his feelings, and then asked him what I could do to support him. I am not sure if there’s anything more I should be doing. He does live locally but I don’t want him to come over to my place when he’s like this. Any thoughts?

[missing NC]

I think it was generous of you to respond at all. Validating the underlying emotion and refusing to take the bait on the whatever nastiness they are spewing is the recommended approach as I understand it. 

I don't know how the monthly meeting is but see that DBT of South Jersey has a support group for family members once a month.  It's free and open to anyone regardless of whether their family member is a client there.  https://www.dbtofsouthjersey.com/family-support-group-1

Good luck, Couscous. 

[Couscous]

Thanks for link! I will definitely sign up for that.