Does your daughter suffer from borderline personality disorder (BPD)? Having a daughter with BPD not only affects her but also has an impact on you and everyone who cares about her. Women with BPD often struggle with controlling their emotions and behavior, which can place a heavy burden on parents, partners, family members, and friends.
Parents of children with BPD often share numerous stories of instances where their daughter appeared to be improving or taking on more responsibilities, only to suddenly experience a crisis. This pattern of improvement and relapse can be confusing and frustrating for parents and loved ones.
What you need to know about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Parenting a child with BPD can be particularly challenging because individuals with BPD often struggle with relationships, especially with those closest to them. The angry outbursts, volatile mood swings, self-mutilation, episodes of overeating, chronic fears of abandonment, suicide attempts, and other impulsive and irrational behaviors can leave parents feeling helpless and off balance. It’s important to note that your daughter does not need to exhibit all of these symptoms to have BPD.
Parents, family members, and friends of individuals diagnosed with BPD often describe it as an endless emotional roller coaster. If you suspect that your daughter has BPD, there are steps you can take to establish healthy boundaries, improve communication, and stabilize your relationship with her.
One of the challenges in dealing with your daughter is that individuals with BPD commonly struggle to acknowledge their problem. If your daughter falls into this category, it is essential to offer support while understanding that the situation is not your fault.
Learning all you can about Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Educating yourself about BPD is crucial. If your daughter has BPD, it is important to recognize that she has a personality disorder, and it is not something you are causing. Destructive, self-harming, and hurtful behaviors are reactions to emotional pain associated with BPD. Remember, it is not about you, and it is not your fault. When your daughter says hurtful things, it is best to understand that this behavior is not always deliberate.
By learning about BPD, you will gain insight into the condition and better equip yourself to handle difficulties constructively. Understanding what you are dealing with and what she is going through can make a significant difference.
Some helpful resources:
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) information on BPD
BPD Central
Recognizing the signs and symptoms of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
Identifying the signs and symptoms of BPD is not always easy. However, people who have a close relationship with someone suffering from BPD often sense that something is amiss, even if they are unsure of what it is. Receiving a diagnosis can provide understanding and relief, offering a sense of hope.
If your daughter has BPD, she may be highly sensitive, and small things can trigger intense and sudden reactions or rage. These reactions might occur when you set boundaries or say no. Borderlines often struggle to calm themselves in healthy ways and may engage in inappropriate or dangerous behaviors or say hurtful things. They may appear on the verge of falling apart but quickly return to a state of normalcy when they get what they want. This emotional volatility can cause stress and strain in relationships and create confusion for parents, family members, and friends.
Unfortunately, borderlines can be hypercritical, and you may find yourself being unfairly blamed for things you did not do. Borderlines tend to view the world in black and white, labeling you as either all good or all bad. There is no middle ground.