Living With Someone With Borderline Personality Disorder

What is BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder)? Borderline Personality Disorder is a debilitating mental illness characterized by severe emotional pain, frequently coupled with physical violence. It is estimated that approximately 13% of the American population suffers from some form of this illness. The cause of this disorder is not yet known, although many believe it is rooted in a person’s genetic make-up. The disorder is often brought on by a significant trauma that a person has suffered such as the death of a loved one or a divorce.

How is it to treat a loved one with BPD? First and foremost you need to establish an open line of communication with your loved one and explain what is happening. A critical first step is for your loved one to understand why they are angry at you. You must be sure that they feel safe expressing their anger and that you are not blamed for everything that is going on in their lives. Unfortunately, many people with BPD do not realize that they are harming themselves and only blame others.

Many times when people with BPD become stressed, depressed, or angry they begin to withdraw and shut down emotionally, withdrawing even from family and friends. It is important to remember that everyone has a right to their feelings and that they are nothing to be ashamed of. If your loved one’s feelings are causing them to withdraw then they may need some extra help. You can provide that help by talking to a trained therapist who specializes in assessing and treating individuals with BPD.

If your loved one will benefit from group therapy, then consider joining a support group. A support group is similar to a therapy session in that each person does their best to interact with others and provide encouragement and support. Many times having an outlet for outlet is important, especially for someone with BPD. A support group also allows loved ones to express their frustrations and to receive information and feedback from other members about the struggles they are facing. When a person has an outlet for releasing negative emotions, they are more likely to experience happiness and peace.

During therapy sessions with a therapist your loved one’s patterns of thought and behavior will be analyzed. The goal is to understand how you could have been like your loved one. Often people with BPD do not realize that their thought patterns are distorted. It is during the sessions with the therapist that you will start to understand what these distorted thoughts are leading to.

During therapy many times there will be family members and friends who participate as well. Family members have a unique experience of being there and being with a loved one who is suffering from BPD. They have a different view on things and it often brings them closer to the sufferer and understands the difficulties they are experiencing. Having people there gives the therapist an opportunity to hear directly from the person suffering that they can ask questions. This not only helps the therapist to understand the thoughts and behaviors, but also brings the sufferer and family member together.

The focus of BPD therapy is to find the cause of the thoughts and behaviors. This understanding can be used in many ways. It can lead to healthier ways of thinking. Often a patient will gain a better understanding on how to handle stressful situations that may arise in their daily lives. They are also taught how to effectively communicate with their loved ones and how to be assertive in positive situations.

A person with BPD may feel isolated due to their distorted view of others. As a result of this, many times they lash out at those close to them, especially family members. The medication, however, is not an option when it comes to treatment for BPD. There are many support groups for this condition and regular activities to help the person cope with the disorder.