Quote From: anon_slc
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a psychological disorder characterized by pervasive instability in moods, interpersonal relationships, self-image, and behavior. This instability often disrupts family and work life, long-term planning, and the individual's sense of self-identity.
While less known than schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (manic-depressive illness), BPD is more common, affecting 2% of adults (1-33), mostly females. Some of my favorite books that provide a great introduction and insight are:
Emotional Blackmail: When the People in Your Life Use Fear, Obligation and Guilt to Manipulate You by Susan Forward OR Why is it Always About You? The Seven Deadly Sins of Narcissism by Sandy Hotchkiss
Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory OR The Psychology of Female Violence: Crimes Against the Body by Anna Motz MAYBE Whatever Mother Says by Wensley Clarkson
Understanding the Borderline (Parent) Mother: Helping Her Children Transcend the Intense, Unpredictable and Volatile Relationship by Christine Ann Lawson
Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back...by Paul Mason and Randi Kreger OR Surviving a Borderline Parent: How to Heal Your Childhood Wounds & Build Trust, Boundaries and Self-Esteem by Kimberlee Roth and Freda Friedman
How to Journal for Therapy:
http://arar.essortment.com/therapyjournali_repu.htm
Some of the story is typical: early family conflicts, abusive relationships, feelings of insecurity contributing to destructive behaviors such as cruelty, manipulations, rage attacks, revenge, promiscuity, addictions, self-abuse, and eating disorders. The extreme behaviors of BPD constitute the high drama in the stories of those who endure its ravages.
There are relationships, marriages and families that are so destructive the only option is for a person to get out. Get out with the little bit of sanity you may have remaining. As painful as it may be, make a promise to yourself to leave. Leave so you can begin a life of healing and recovery. Leave so you can learn how to live a joyful, peaceful, supportive and fulfilling life.
Hope it helps!
Not necessarily disagreeing... you're dead on about everything concerning BPD. I know, because I suffer from it... and others have suffered for my, I dunno what to call it... deformity works for me. It's a nightmare to be afflicted with this disorder, especially because most people have no idea what's wrong with them. Your emotions become your rationale, your feelings twist reality so that you see what you feel you should (if that makes sense). The aggression, the self-loathing, the addictions, the inability to connect with other humans... it's just horrific. It IS treatable, but you really really have to want help, and admitting you need it in the first place is so indescribably difficult I can't even explain. Just offering a perspective from the other side (forgive me if you also suffer from this, it just seemed like you survived someone with BPD), maybe letting people understand how it can twist someone so badly that they injure their children could shed some light on this.
If anyone's wondering (or read this far!) I have sought help and I'm being treated with medication and couseling, and my life has done a Dr.Phil-worthy 180*. Seeing this show was painful; I hate being able to understand such a messed up frame of mind. Hey, if it helps anyone else, I guess that's okay with me. Thanks for the insight, and the information sources!
Dr. Phil takes a look at the unthinkable: making your own child sick to fulfill a disturbing need to get medicine, sympathy and attention. The idea might sound unimaginable, but for people with a psychological disorder called Munchausen by Proxy, it’s irresistible. First, see disturbing footage of parents caught on tape actually causing harm to their children. Then, Dr. Phil looks into the mind of one woman, Tracy, convicted of trying to harm her youngest daughter by constantly keeping her sick. Hear from Tracy's oldest daughter, Heather, who survived years of her mother’s abuse. She says her mom forced her into a wheelchair unnecessarily, took her to almost 400 medical visits, and caused her to spend over 100 days of her life in hospital beds -- needlessly. Most disturbing of all is the secret Heather revealed to police about what her mother buried in their back yard. When Dr. Phil makes a phone call to Tracy in prison, will she acknowledge the problem with her parenting? And could she be preparing to have another child? Hear Dr. Phil’s strong words for this Munchausen mom. Plus, how are Tracy’s children doing now that she is out of their lives? Note: Viewer discretion is advised. Join the discussion.
