Can A Borderline Be A Good Parent?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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People with borderline personality disorder

can be very effective and nurturing parents

, but because the symptoms of BPD can be very intense, for many people this does take some work. Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life.

What are borderlines good at?


Bold

– Impulsivity is a BPD trait that can be positively linked to being bold, courageous and having the ability to speak one's mind. Creative – The high intensity of emotions can be released into creative endeavours. Many people with BPD put their entire emotional expression into music, art, performance and writing.

Can someone with BPD ever be happy?

This person says it exactly right — people with BPD have very intense emotions that can last from a few hours to even a few days, and can change very quickly. For example, we can go from feeling very happy to suddenly feeling very low and sad.

What is a borderline parent?

This person may be the child of a with Borderline Personality Disorder. It is almost unique to the child of a Borderline to feel a lack of attachment and lack of love for the parent while at the same time blaming themselves for feeling this way.

What does a BPD mom look like?

Mothers with BPD may

oscillate between over-involved, intrusive behaviors and withdrawn, avoidant behaviors

. These behaviors may also manifest as oscillations between hostile control and coldness.

Are borderlines aware of their behavior?

People with borderline personality disorders are

aware of their behaviors

and the consequences of them and often act in increasingly erratic ways as a self-fulfilling prophecy to their abandonment fears.

What happens if you ignore a borderline?

Family members may be quick to deny or argue the feelings experienced the person with BPD. If these feelings are ignored, the

individual may resort to self-destructive ways to express their emotions

.

How do you deal with a borderline parent?


Talk to a therapist or other mental health professional

for individual help. Set and reinforce boundaries with your borderline parent. Keep a journal to write your thoughts and feelings, especially after an upsetting interaction. Be aware of triggers (both yours and your parent's) and do your best to avoid them.

What triggers a person with borderline personality disorder?


Separations, disagreements, and rejections—real or perceived

—are the most common triggers for symptoms. A person with BPD is highly sensitive to abandonment and being alone, which brings about intense feelings of anger, fear, suicidal thoughts and self-harm, and very impulsive decisions.

Are Narcissists borderline personality disorder?

Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) is a personality disorder that frequently co-occurs with

borderline personality disorder

(BPD). The addition of NPD into the diagnostic picture may complicate the treatment and course of BPD.

What are the 9 symptoms of borderline personality disorder?

  • Fear of abandonment. People with BPD are often terrified of being abandoned or left alone. …
  • Unstable relationships. …
  • Unclear or shifting self-image. …
  • Impulsive, self-destructive behaviors. …
  • Self-harm. …
  • Extreme emotional swings. …
  • Chronic feelings of emptiness. …
  • Explosive anger.

Can people with BPD love?

At the end of the day,

people with BPD can fall in love

; it just takes some work from both sides of the relationship. Treatment is the first step — options may include: Individual and couple's therapy. Medication.

Will I lose my child if I have BPD?

Given the high rate of family transmission with the disorder and associated features, offspring of parents with

BPD may inherit genes predisposing them to a difficult temperament

, emotional reactivity, and/or impulsivity. Twin studies offer evidence for the genetic transmission of BPD.

Are borderlines immature?

A person with BPD may

appear to be emotionally immature

because they often expect others to put their needs first. They're frequently emotionally dependent on others and may appear to be trying to manipulate others to give them their way by inappropriate emotional reactions or acting out.

How do you calm down a borderline personality disorder?

  1. Avoid the temptation to isolate. …
  2. You're allowed (and encouraged) to have a life! …
  3. Join a support group for BPD family members. …
  4. Don't neglect your physical health. …
  5. Learn to manage stress. …
  6. Listen actively and be sympathetic. …
  7. Focus on the emotions, not the words.

Why do therapists hate borderlines?

Many therapists share the general stigma that surrounds patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Some even avoid working with such patients

because of the perception that they are difficult to treat

.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.