If someone you love is living with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), it can be difficult to know how to best support them. However, there are many things you can do to help your loved one get the care they need and lead a happy, healthy life.
Below are some proven ways to support loved ones who are living with BPD.
How to Support a Loved One with Borderline Personality Disorder
1. Learn as much as you can about BPD.
The more you know about BPD, the better equipped you will be to support your loved one. There are many great books and websites about BPD, so do your research and educate yourself on the disorder.
We recommend Stop Walking on Eggshells: Taking Your Life Back When Someone You Care About Has Borderline Personality Disorder, which has already helped more than a million people with friends and family members suffering from borderline personality disorder understand this difficult disorder, set boundaries, and help their loved ones stop relying on dangerous BPD behaviors.
2. Be patient and understanding.
People with BPD often have a hard time regulating their emotions, and can be very sensitive to criticism. Be patient with your loved one and try not to take their outbursts personally.
3. Offer support but don’t smother them.
People with BPD need supportive relationships, but too much support can actually be harmful. Try to strike a balance between providing support and giving your loved one some space.
4. Encourage them to seek treatment.
Many people with BPD benefit from therapy and medication. Encourage your loved one to seek out treatment and stick with it even if they find it difficult at first.
Need help? contact one of our partner agencies, like Nutley Family Services.
5. Spend time with them.
People with BPD often feel isolated and alone, so spending time with them is crucial. Whether you go out for coffee or watch a movie together, just being there for them will help them feel supported.
Do you love someone who lives with Borderline Personality Disorder? You can help to reduce the isolation they might be feeling by simply spending time with them. Your presence communicates support. Click To TweetSUPPORT FOR BPD MEANS GETTING EQUIPPED
As the Stop Walking on Eggshells authors, say:
“It can be very confusing when your loved one acts so self-assured in one situation and then falls apart for seemingly no reason in another. This situational competence is a hallmark of BPD.”
By following these tips and resourcing yourself with the compassionate guide, picking up the compassionate guide, Stop Walking on Eggshells, you will be enabled to:
- Make sense out of the chaos
- Stand up for yourself and assert your needs
- Defuse arguments and conflicts
- Protect yourself and others from violent behavior
If you’re ready to bring peace and stability back into your life, this time-tested guide will show you how, one confident step at a time.
Knowledge is power—if you want to gain access to more recommended books, simply download our free ebook right now.
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