Knowing the signs of general BPD can help in identifying “quiet” BPD. Offer ongoing support to the person, including listening, comfort and assistance to get help. Assure the person you care about them by putting forth the effort to learn about what they’re dealing with, ask how you can help and show genuine interest in their well-being.Everyone is different and heals in different ways, but it’s important we make the effort to support one another – especially when faced with a disorder as frightening and life-threatening as BPD. Often, simply mirroring back what they are telling you can be highly effective. This causes many people with BPD to avoid speaking up about their disorder altogether, and the stereotypes demonize and often alienate those with the disorder.

The person with BPD is responsible for their own actions and behaviors.Communication is a key part of any relationship but communicating with a borderline person can be especially challenging. Learning about the illness, validating their feelings, simplifying your message, encouraging responsibility, setting boundaries, and taking threats of suicide or self-harm seriously can make a significant difference in how you relate to your loved one. What To Expect When You Call They are not going to show symptoms in the same way.

However, the undertones of anger and sadness could indicate some self-esteem issues. All rights reserved.Your support helps us remain free and independent and provide trustworthy mental health information.HelpGuide is an independently funded nonprofit organization.It’s important to recognize when it’s safe to start a conversation. In fact, things may initially get worse before they get better. Change can and does happen but, as with reversing any kind of behavior pattern, it takes time.Listening to your loved one and acknowledging his or her feelings is one of the best ways to help someone with BPD calm down.

In my experience, the threat of rejection can be enough to send me spiraling into a paralyzing panic attack or worse. Educating yourself about the condition, its symptoms, and prognosis can help you gain a clearer understanding of what your loved one is … People with BPD usually have very combative relationships and many relationship failures. You will see them acting out more, having more overt erratic mood swings, and displaying more destructive patterns of behavior.

Borderline personality disorder can be a confusing diagnosis, and there are many misconceptions about what people with BPD experience. BPD can impact every aspect of our everyday lives and wreak havoc in our relationships.

But you have more power than you think.You can change the relationship by managing your own reactions, establishing firm limits, and improving communication between you and your loved one. People with BPD experience reactions and an intensity of emotion that people without the disorder can often not relate to.

Do you know the things you should do or the things you should say to someone with borderline personality disorder (BPD)?If not, join the millions of … Their wild mood swings, angry outbursts, chronic abandonment fears, and impulsive and irrational behaviors can leave loved ones feeling helpless, abused, and off balance. Even if this is the case with your loved one, you can still offer support, improve communication, and set boundaries while continuing to encourage your friend or family member to seek professional help.The problem for people with BPD is that the disorder distorts both the messages they hear and those they try to express. It is important to understand normal BPD because it can help you notice the more subtle signs of “quiet” BPD. Those tendencies usually come from a place of low self-esteem and in some cases, even self-hatred. This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS.Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. People with BPD have trouble reading body language or understanding the nonverbal content of a conversation. This also means we deeply treasure the people who put forth an effort to understand our experience. Love alone cannot “fix” BPD; it is essential that you help them find treatment while also remembering to find support for yourself as well. Often, effectively supporting someone with BPD is as simple as reaching out or actively listening with empathy and compassion.If someone with BPD opens up to you, pay attention. We're here to help When setting boundaries, think about what will be both helpful and realistic. There’s no magic cure but with the right treatment and support, many people with BPD can and do get better and their relationships can become more stable and rewarding. Call your loved one’s therapist or:When supporting your loved one’s recovery, it’s important to be patient and set realistic goals. Remember to take time for yourself and nourish yourself, mind, body, and spirit. 2020 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. However, professional mental health treatment is necessary in order to restore emotional harmony and ensure your loved one has the support they need to make meaningful changes. When you appreciate how a borderline person hears you and adjust how you communicate with them, you can help diffuse the attacks and rages and build a stronger, closer relationship. I’ve found the best way to avoid this kind of thing is just to address the situation directly but graciously, keeping our triggers in mind. OCD Versus OCPD: Understanding the Difference Often these individuals have low self-esteem.