Tips for living with someone with Borderline Personality Disorder

Throughout our lives, interpersonal relationships play a fundamental role in our mental health and well-being. However, not all people experience social relationships and communications in the same way. Some mental disorders make it difficult to adjust to traditional relational norms and it is important to be careful not to harm these people with a poorly established relationship.

In this article about how to live with someone with BPD we will explore the Borderline personality disorder and we will offer some tips on how to facilitate relationships with these people. Affecting approximately 1-2% of the population, this disorder can influence the way a person experiences emotions, relates to others, and handles everyday challenges.

What is BPD?

Borderline personality disorder, also known as borderline disorder, is a psychological disorder that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and relates to others. People who experience it often deal with intense and changing emotions, which can lead to unpredictable patterns of behavior. The most characteristic symptoms are

difficulty establishing stable relationships, an unstable self-image, fear of abandonment, impulsivity and sudden mood swings. These symptoms can influence the way a person perceives themselves and others, which in turn impacts close relationships.

It is important to note that borderline personality disorder is not simply a matter of "bad "genius" or "drama", but is a legitimate mental condition that can cause great suffering emotional. Sufferers often have difficulty regulating their emotions and may feel trapped in cycles of behavior that seem out of their control. For those who live with someone who has borderline personality disorder, it is crucial to gain knowledge and skills to handle the complexities of this situation and manage social situations with emotional responsibility and emotional.

• Related article: "The 10 types of Personality Disorders"

Tips for living with a person with BPD

Next, we are going to propose five tips so that you are aware of how you should treat and live with a person who has BPD. In general, avoid infantilization and positioning yourself superior to this person, and treat the social situation with compassion and respect. Let's go there!

1. Empathic communication

Living with a person with BPD, communication becomes an essential bridge for building a solid relationship. Empathy and understanding are essential in every interaction to generate environments of mutual support and understanding, in which people who experience this disorder do not feel rejected by it.

The main key is active listening. It is not just about hearing the words that are said, but about capturing the emotions that underlie them. Often, what is not said out loud is equally important. Paying attention to facial expressions and body language can provide crucial clues about how the person is feeling at that moment. Furthermore, validation plays a crucial role. Acknowledging and validating the person's feelings shows that you care and understand their experience. Even if you don't agree with her perspective, showing that you understand why they feel the way they do can help build a bridge of trust.

• You may be interested: "Mental health: definition and characteristics according to psychology"

2. Setting healthy boundaries

In any relationship, defining healthy boundaries is essential for mutual respect and harmonious coexistence. This becomes even more relevant when it comes to living with someone who has borderline personality disorder. Setting clear boundaries can significantly contribute to the emotional stability and well-being of both parties. Boundaries act as guides that define what is acceptable and what is not in the relationship.. They are necessary both for your own self-defense and to help the person with the disorder understand the expectations and dynamics of coexistence.

It is important to remember that setting limits does not mean rejecting or isolating the person. Rather, it is about respectfully communicating what your own needs, capabilities, and emotional limits are. This may include the time you are willing to invest in conversations, joint activities, or the degree of help you can provide in times of crisis.

3. Promoting stability and routine

People who experience BPD often face challenges in managing the changes and the emotions underlying them. Therefore, the search for stability and the construction of routines are valuable allies. Establishing a predictable structure can provide a sense of security and control.

Creating a daily routine that includes moments for relaxation, reflection, and self-care can help reduce stress. Additionally, maintaining a tidy and organized environment can have a positive impact on your emotional well-being. Stability and routine not only provide benefits to the person with the disorder, but can also contribute to a more harmonious environment for everyone involved.

4. Professional support and self-care

It is important that you are aware that you are not capable of doing everything yourself. After all, you are not establishing a relationship with this person as if you were their therapist, but as a friend or partner. You must seek and maximize their well-being, but also be able to identify when you are not able to continue acting as support and decide to take care of yourself. In the same way that you take care of yourself, you must be responsible for the other person and help them seek professional or therapeutic support if they need it. You can do this by helping him search the Internet, asking people close to him for opinions, or accompanying him to his first therapy session. Show support, but know when to stop.