1. < Mental Health

Wife of someone with borderline personality disorder, need answers

Posted by mmstump @mmstump, Aug 11, 2011

My husband was diagnosed with Borderline personality disorder, bipolar, and ahdh. At the moment we are separated because he is so controlling and constantly starts fights with me about everything! I love my husband and I know he loves me we just dont know where to go from here and how or if we can live a normal life together. I guess I just cant relate to his feelings and see him as selfish, manipulative, and controlling. It seems like we can never have a happy moment. He even hates when I mention my family and gets very jealous. His mood can change in a second. I am looking for people who can relate and give me some kind of hope because Im not sure what to do from here. I cant make him get help no matter how many times I call the dr or schedule appointments.

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Seattle Sherry | @sreynolds | Aug 16, 2011

Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people with BPD and their family members.. One really good resource is DBT - dialectical behavior therapy - basically it combines cognitive therapy with some mindfulness practices - being present to the moment..

There are workbooks that you can pick up at Amazon and books for family members as well. There is one ok called - walking on eggshells that is helpful for family members as well.

REPLY
5 replies
mmstump | @mmstump | Aug 16, 2011
In reply to @sreynolds "Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people..." + (show)
@sreynolds

Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people with BPD and their family members.. One really good resource is DBT - dialectical behavior therapy - basically it combines cognitive therapy with some mindfulness practices - being present to the moment..

There are workbooks that you can pick up at Amazon and books for family members as well. There is one ok called - walking on eggshells that is helpful for family members as well.

Jump to this post

thanks for the help! 🙂 ill be sure to try and find that book!

REPLY
Beach@5 | @beach5 | Aug 17, 2011

Your story reads like mine at the moment. We were married for 11 years, together for 14. In all that time, I thought he was just a controlling person and tried to live a life surrounding him and not provoking an argument... It t work too well though. I lost my self as a person, my self esteem and my personality. Now we are separated and I have a restraining order to protect our family from him. His sons have shut me out of the process of getting him help and I feel lost. My therapist is working w me to regain my strength and self worth. I strongly suggest you speak to someone whether it is a therapist, pastor or family Dr who understands mental illness. I am learning that it is the illness that is controlling, angry and unwilling to be treated, not my husband. He is the victim. At present, my belief is that you take care of yourself so that WHEN he asks for help you will be strong. Good luck, I am here for you

REPLY
1 reply
DocForeman | @docforeman | Aug 18, 2011

Sounds tough. You might want to check out this website (with resources for family members) http://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com . It has a lot of great content about effective treatment, and state of the art treatment and research findings. Best of luck.

REPLY
2 replies
leelee789 | @leelee789 | Aug 19, 2011
In reply to @docforeman "Sounds tough. You might want to check out this website (with resources for family members) www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com..." + (show)
@docforeman

Sounds tough. You might want to check out this website (with resources for family members) http://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com . It has a lot of great content about effective treatment, and state of the art treatment and research findings. Best of luck.

Jump to this post

Thanks. I can't help him if he wants no help. I will have to leave him and let him have his misery.

REPLY
Cookie304 | @cookie304 | Sep 12, 2011
In reply to @sreynolds "Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people..." + (show)
@sreynolds

Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people with BPD and their family members.. One really good resource is DBT - dialectical behavior therapy - basically it combines cognitive therapy with some mindfulness practices - being present to the moment..

There are workbooks that you can pick up at Amazon and books for family members as well. There is one ok called - walking on eggshells that is helpful for family members as well.

Jump to this post

I completly disagree that theyve come a long way dealing with BPD. The great majority of Drs wont even deal with it because they cant do anything about it.They put the person on meds and for a short time the person might or might not take them.If they do take them they eventually delude themselves that they are 'well' and go off said meds on there own.Then theyre back to b4 square 1. Ten yrs ago I left a long term marriage...he had been diagnosed bipolar but went off his meds whenever he felt like it.He was physically abusive to me and our grown kids.....had young girlfriends calling the house night and day...my 'orders' were to treat them good. I finally divorced him but didnt realize his evilness would turn 2 outa 3 of our grown kids against me with his obsessive lies.I lost 2 kids and 4 grandchildren to the evil of this person. My advice is to leave and NEVER look back.No matter what you lose you gain so much back.I'm once again ME! and I like ME!

REPLY
mmstump | @mmstump | Sep 17, 2011
In reply to @docforeman "Sounds tough. You might want to check out this website (with resources for family members) www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com..." + (show)
@docforeman

Sounds tough. You might want to check out this website (with resources for family members) http://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com . It has a lot of great content about effective treatment, and state of the art treatment and research findings. Best of luck.

Jump to this post

thank you so much for the advice and best wishes!

REPLY
mmstump | @mmstump | Sep 17, 2011
In reply to @beach5 "Your story reads like mine at the moment. We were married for 11 years, together for..." + (show)
@beach5

Your story reads like mine at the moment. We were married for 11 years, together for 14. In all that time, I thought he was just a controlling person and tried to live a life surrounding him and not provoking an argument... It t work too well though. I lost my self as a person, my self esteem and my personality. Now we are separated and I have a restraining order to protect our family from him. His sons have shut me out of the process of getting him help and I feel lost. My therapist is working w me to regain my strength and self worth. I strongly suggest you speak to someone whether it is a therapist, pastor or family Dr who understands mental illness. I am learning that it is the illness that is controlling, angry and unwilling to be treated, not my husband. He is the victim. At present, my belief is that you take care of yourself so that WHEN he asks for help you will be strong. Good luck, I am here for you

Jump to this post

thank you for the advice! I too have lost myself. I just recently got the book "stop walking on eggshells.." and it has helped a lot. I realize that I need to get my life in order and work on me. After coming home drunk the other night and i called the police he has finally agreed to get help. He went to a group counseling session today and started taking his meds again. I have a new hope...it scares me because my hopes usually get shot down, but i will try to stay positive!

REPLY
mmstump | @mmstump | Sep 17, 2011
In reply to @sreynolds "Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people..." + (show)
@sreynolds

Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people with BPD and their family members.. One really good resource is DBT - dialectical behavior therapy - basically it combines cognitive therapy with some mindfulness practices - being present to the moment..

There are workbooks that you can pick up at Amazon and books for family members as well. There is one ok called - walking on eggshells that is helpful for family members as well.

Jump to this post

im so sorry to hear about your story! i will keep you in my prayers and hope things for you and your family can change. best of luck to you!

REPLY
leelee789 | @leelee789 | Oct 1, 2011
In reply to @sreynolds "Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people..." + (show)
@sreynolds

Thankfully over the last couple of decades there has been some great work done for people with BPD and their family members.. One really good resource is DBT - dialectical behavior therapy - basically it combines cognitive therapy with some mindfulness practices - being present to the moment..

There are workbooks that you can pick up at Amazon and books for family members as well. There is one ok called - walking on eggshells that is helpful for family members as well.

Jump to this post

I will look that up. My husband is far gone at he moment ...in his mind. He has been drinking too much (not usual) and won't be reasonable. He is crazy right now!! I am at my wits end. He wants a divorce.

REPLY
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