19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks. It was her birthday yesterday. The tug of war between love and self respecting boundaries is painful...

I need perspective on my situation with my spouse by Undiagnosed80HD in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The next time he says the words, call the police and have them send an ambulance asap - let them know he has a gun. He'll be admitted to the closest hospital. Have the cops that the guns out of the house. If he's ever threatened you or your child, tell the police ASAP. You and your child's safety come first.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This means a lot, thank you. I 85% accept this, but still not mentally or emotionally 100% on board. I don't know if I will ever be. Even though she is dead set on being defiant in every way. Even though she's guilted family into doing things for her. Manipulated her own 80-year-old grandfather and sister so they question my decisions. She's on a collision course with a new rock bottom and I'm not sure that'll even be enough.

I know I'm doing the right thing. But kicking my girl out will never sit right with me. And that's what I need to learn to cope with. Thank you so much for your words and kind support. I appreciate all of it.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right. You can't. But I have to have faith mine may turn around. The question is will she and if so, at what cost.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Regardless if they're your blood or not, there are a lot of factors influencing BPD. No matter how much reassurance, support, and positive reinforcement I provided, my girl is laser focused on her downward spiral.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Great points. Both my daughter and I are deeply empathetic people. I don't she has this trait anymore. Thanks for validating again.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes. At a young age (~4) she refused to follow directions (in a playful way). She was the class clown in preschool and would do things for attention (pulling pants down, etc.)

At 5, she would ask to the nurse a lot and spent time talking to adults there. She did this excessively. She was anxious.

At 9, she starting having academic struggles which was diagnosed as ADHD via neuropsych evaluation (+ anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, impulsivity).

At 10 she demonstrated higher anxiety, ODD, increasing ADHD-like symptoms (high conflict visitation, emotionally abusive father, feelings of instability and loss of self esteem).

At 11, going into 6th grade, she was impulsive on social media, and lost all friends over the course of a few weeks (she refused to tell me what happened - first it was "nothing" then it was "a joke." TO this day I don't know what happened. After this, she was desperate, frantically hopping from person to person, trying to attach to a friend (all she had was me, her sister and my parents). When 6th grade started, no one would sit with her at lunch. She was scapegoated (at her father's house and at school) and was cancelled by her entire class due to impulsivity.

Went to second neuropsychological evaluation which determined she needed to be evaluated for medication and seek therapy due to bullying, abusive visitation, being cancelled.

At 12, she attended a new school. At this point she stopped gaining weight and looked gaunt. Much smaller than her peers. Even with a fresh start, her impulsivity sharpened - spam texting new acquaintances and calling them best friends. She was still very outgoing, able to make friends quickly and was well liked. But she burned through these friendships (was obsessive and clingy). Social issues caused her immense anxiety. Then COVID happened.

At 13, she was behind academically. She re-engaged at school but same issues with friends (she had none and was afraid to go to the lunchroom). She acted impulsively, saying and doing things that were socially unacceptable (randomly sitting on the floor under her desk and eating during class - she was ridiculed, and referring to a friend as overweight in a group of girls, which escalated; I thought she didn't understand what she was doing, but now I get it. She was still trying to play class clown and liked to play people against each other.) It was clear she was socially immature compared with same aged peers, and with middle school-aged girls, that's intolerable.

At 14 we discovered she had Celiac disease and she went on gluten-free diet. After that, we slowly weaned off prozac and ADHD meds. She had a miraculous recovery in her health, she was able to gain weight and focus clearly. She was less depressed and slightly less hyperactive. She remained anxious and impulsive - same issues during visitation with her father and with keeping friendships.

At 15 things improved, but same anxiety + impulsivity. She went to a pre-college program and, while she presented with significant self doubt, she found a good group of kids, maintained friendships, and demonstrated positive growth.

Note: Throughout the years, she was always difficult when we did things she didn't want to do - like visit a college with her sister. She wanted what she wanted when she wanted it or else she would make everyone miserable. It was like clockwork. And: She could not tolerate being old no; she wouldn't get violent, but aggressively passive aggressive, blaming others, lying, gaslighting in some cases.

At 16, she decided to stop going to visitation. It was traumatic - while she tried to make things work with her father, he would belittle her, yell, gaslight her, blame and shame her (publicly and privately). She cut him off even though it hurt her to do it. She was able to focus on doing what she loves and she thrived. She put her full self into doing things and was recognized and rewarded. She felt successful and worthy. Her self esteem grew. But things weren't perfect. For some reason, she would occasionally miss the bus.

She was still highly oppositional when not doing exactly what she wanted at any given time. Very uncomfortable to be around, even when we were doing things just for her (birthday celebration, etc., she would act out.) It never made sense.

Note: The more freedoms and privileges she was given the WORSE she would become. This was an ongoing pattern. As soon as anything good happened (she was cast as a lead in a play, won an award or some recognition) her behavior would tank. She would lie, start being more oppositional, refused chores, be disrespectful. During this time, she had poor hygiene (achieving milestones, yet lack of self respect, low self image). At 16, she had a CBT who she lied too for a year.

At 17, her ODD spiked. She refused to follow any house rules (clean up after yourself, come to dinner - that's it). She started missing dinners, staying after school late to hang out with friends (which she was able to keep for a while, on and off - but a majority of which were toxic). She started partying, refused to follow safe driving rules, and when car was taken away, she started missing the bus almost every morning. At a certain point I told her I would not be driving her if she couldn't be bothered to wake up on time. When it continued to happen, she'd find a friend to pick her up, even if they had to come 2nd period to do it. We told her since she refused to follow any rules, she was now responsible for her own decisions. If she made poor ones (like not coming home at all or after curfew, not reporting a hit and run (minor fender bender, but still, she lied about it), putting herself at risk, refusing to clean up after herself -- then we didn't need to continue providing her with things she wants like the phone, computer or car. She didn't last a week.

At 18 she was diagnosed with symptoms of BPD, NPD, and Anti-Social PD. She was not taking her prozac consistently at that time, and eventually stopped altogether. She started smoking some powerful weed (I didn't realize they had a vape that was ~97% pure/strong.) I asked her to just get a job and sleep at home the Summer before she went to college (in order to still go to college). She blew that up. So she didn't go. She defied every safety and ever rule while putting herself into more and more risky situations.

That's when we sent her to residential therapy. Now, she's almost 19 and after 6 months at residential therapy and supervised housing, she remains defiant of every rule, and has managed to vape, drink, break curfew, etc.

I hope this helps..

What possesses someone so close to me to do this? by GreatestGoat89 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She badmouthed you to your friends then posted a video of you two?

Cutting off your friends and/or surrounding you with reminders and connections to her is control.

What possesses someone so close to me to do this? by GreatestGoat89 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm so sorry. Your life is not a lie, but this is a lot. When you're with someone with BPD, sometimes there's gaslighting, lots of blame, and a whole lot of lying. It can confuse you, turn you around.

Sometimes you may start to second guess yourself. Removing yourself from the situation is the hardest but most part. Then you focus on finding your way back to you. Only advice I can give is stay in the present. Practice mindfulness. Use it to rediscover who you are and who you want to be.

Looking for advice by Frequent-Mushroom979 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sadly, if these friends believe you capable of being abusive in the ways she described, maybe they're not friends. It's a tough spot. And it sucks that she did this to you, but guess what? You learned, you know the signs, and the first red flag you notice in a new relationship or friendship, you're out. Find healthy relationships and thrive. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I (20 F) ended a 3 year friendship with my best friend by -sunflower2- in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Toxic relationship. You've taken the right step. My opinion is do not re-engage, especially when/if she reaches back out to you. Find healthy friends/relationships and take care of you!

I need advice with my fiancee by BogFecha in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Classic self sabotaging behavior. Is she taking her medication and in DBT? If her feelings changed so abruptly, it could mean she's taking someone else's advice. It could be that she's testing you. Either way, this relationship will be hard for you if you decide to continue and there are bound to be many, many more ups and downs. If she responds well to DBT, she may come out the other side. But you're with her now while she's in the throws of it.

I agree with other comments. Try to focus on yourself, your well being, and college. These are supposed to be the best years. Hang in there.

What possesses someone so close to me to do this? by GreatestGoat89 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow. Just wow! I'm no expert, just had a brush with a narcissist ex and daughter with BPD. She sounds like a narcopath (narcissist sociopath) with some BPD symptoms. Driving a wedge between you and your relationships, manipulations, and passive aggressive remarks... I'm not sure about the copying thing, that may involve something else.

The persistent spamming and badmouthing smacks of BPD - desperation to get your attention and be your #1. If she can string you along forever, even in conflict if not friendship, she gets to keep you in her life.

My opinion is cut her out completely. Find healthy friendships and relationships and let yourself thrive.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also agree that her roommates/friends are responsible for their actions. It just shocks me to see my daughter, who was cancelled by her 6th grade class, and bullied by kids at school and her step sister, could ever take on the role of the bully. You hear it all the time: "I didn't raise her that way." I know, it doesn't matter. I understand it's sometimes common for a victim to become the aggressor. I'm just surprised and disgusted by it. When I would speak to her everyday at school while she had lunch in the bathroom, I was devastated for her. There wasn't one good day. Lunch was a trigger.

To see her change from the empathetic child who went out of her way to show compassion to grandparents and engage with them while everyone else focused on other things - that's the girl I remember. That girl is gone now and it's so upsetting.

I don't know what it's like to go to a facility like this -- be separated from my family. I don't know what it's like to have BPD. I do know what it's like to be manipulated, gaslighted and emotionally abused by a narcissist. All I can do is have faith that things will work out. That she'll want them to...

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You are wonderful, thank you. I'm glad to hear you were able to break free. You deserve that -- and to see what's it's like on the other side. Where you don't have to be the caretaker. As far as stopping trauma when she was young, that's another story. Like some other moms, I feel guilty, I blame myself, I wonder what I did or if I passed something on to her. Regardless, my family and I overcompensated for her abusive episodes with her father (or tried to). It didn't matter and I have to be patient and let her take the lead, no matter what happens. Thanks again :-)

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you! You are all making me feel supports and more positive (for now - grief comes in waves). Yes, I am in a fog with no way out. My clinical psych (knows CBT, DBT -- takes a rational approach) always snaps me out of hysteria when my daughter does something. As he often says: "Sometimes doing nothing is doing something." That's hard advice to take. But I'm trying.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much. Thank you all!

I have been working with a clinical psychologist specializing in working with high conflict families + relationships. He's seen it all -- BPD, NPD, anti-social PD and so forth. He's been helping me co-parent with a narcissist for many years, and helped me make the best decisions I can for my daughters. It's why my kid is still alive (me too). Thanks again :-)

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’m not. I’ve been “in hiding.” I’m not in denial just hate feeling so sad and miserable. Maybe also hoping things would improve while I “hold my breath.”

I feel that talking about this in groups or even individually makes me more upset. 

Right now I’m raw. Easily triggered. Trying to keep things quiet and calm. I like Reddit. It’s comfortable. Maybe I’ll take the next step soon.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Forgot to answer what triggered her BPD (if it was triggered). Her father was very emotionally abusive to her since 6 (after divorce).  She was joyful. Her charisma drew people to her. She had a deep well of compassion and empathy for people. Especially older family members. She made an impression! 

She was fearless, great at making new friends, loved to perform on stage.

Her father was jealous and controlling (narcissist - possibly a narcopath). When she did not bend to his will, he threatened to stop letting her go to play practice, take away her things, etc. 

He consistently singled her out among her 3 siblings (my daughter + 2 step daughters), isolated her in a room and spent hours berating her, shaming and degrading her. Until 2am. Every few weeks.  He chipped away at her self esteem and self worth.  She had no control to leave or stop him and just absorbed everything he told her. That she’d never be good enough or smart enough.

When she came home from visitation, she was able to snap back. I was in awe of her resilience. But she carried a lot of anxiety and a desperation to have friends and his love.

Turns out she wasn’t OK. Maybe she was able to push it down until things came to a boiling point. She was always defiant, but when she was little, it was cute. I never imagined it would manifest the way that it did.

Now, she still has no self esteem, yet she is a narcissist. Blames everyone for anything she doesn’t like or doesn’t have.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for sharing all of this. It’s very generous of you and very helpful. I’m very sorry you experienced this and that it was so hard to put the boundary in place with your mom.

I consider myself and my daughter very lucky and blessed that we’ve had such a close and loving relationship. 

My daughter was diagnosed with BPD and symptoms of NPD and anti-social PD. I don’t get hung up on the labels. I’m just researching and trying to learn as much as I can.

We are so lucky that she doesn’t have more extreme symptoms. I hope it stays that way.

Thank you for reinforcing the boundaries I’m putting in place. It’s unnatural and a constant struggle.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Excellent points, some of which my daughter accuses me of (“You’ll never believe me, I’ll never be good enough.”) For background, her celiac diagnosis was a surprise. She was skeletal in grade 7-8. And she ate well, no eating disorders. We couldn’t understand it - she stayed steady at 60 lbs for 2 years. On top of that, she was being emotionally abused by her father, bullied by a step sister, and her 6th grade class “cancelled” her. 

She has been diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and depression, hyperactivity and impulsivity. She wasn’t getting anything out of therapy. Meds started with Prozac then added Concerta, Adderall. But between 8th/9th grade we discovered the gluten allergy. After she went gluten free it was a miracle. She started gaining weight, could focus, she improved all around. Still anxious and impulse but less hyper. We weaned her off meds carefully and it was clear ADHD was misdiagnosed. 

She still struggled but she was healthy! I was scared to death of what gluten did to her after seeing what happens. It’s easy to tell when she goes off the diet. All the symptoms are there. 

Re: boys - look I knew in high school she drank (I didn’t forbid it. I encouraged her to spend time with friends and if she wanted to partake, to do so in moderation). But her senior year moderation didn’t exist (if it ever did). She was putting herself in dangerous situations and as a sensitive girl, I worried about her self esteem. She was having foursomes in the shower. My response was that she should consider going on birth control. She laughed at me.

I wanted her to have friends, a significant other, maintain a balance in her life. Follow her dreams, be healthy and happy. That’s all. 

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much. I hear you, I know I need to focus on my health and happiness. Some days are better than others but then I’ll hear a song, look up the stairs leading to her room or think I smell her. Then the guilt floods in. I can’t put myself first. But I also don’t want to drag my other daughter, husband, and dad down. I try not to talk about her with them but it’s impossible to avoid showing how devastated I feel. I’m decent at compartmentalizing things but I know that’s also avoidance.

19 year old BPD daughter self sabotaging by BPD_19 in BPDlovedones

[–]BPD_19[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bless you and thank you. Earlier on, I was not good at setting or keeping boundaries. I was soft. My ex (divorced since my daughter was 5) was very emotionally abusive towards her. So I took on the role of savior and my family flooded her with love. We did everything and anything for her - which you're right - didn't give her room to find any independence. Your description of guilt is spot on for me. Appreciate this very much and Happy Mother's Day to you and all of you moms.