Family members (and friends) of someone who suffers from Borderline Personality Disorder (or BPD) are typically mystified about how to interact with them, walk on eggshells around them, and generally feel overwhelmed and defeated because they don’t know what to do.
In this episode, Bill and Megan continue their discussion with BPD expert Amanda Smith, LCSW, founder of HopeforBPD.com. Amanda is a highly skilled BPD and Dialectical Behavior Therapy expert, having helped countless clients through their recovery. She’s helped family members learn the necessary skills for helping their loved one best while also taking care of themselves. Amanda also provides treatment consultation. She is the author of two books:
- The Dialectical Behavior Therapy Wellness Planner
- The Borderline Personality Disorder Wellness Planner for Families
In this episode – part 2 of 2 – Amanda gives hope and help to family members and friends of those with BPD. She discusses what to do and what to avoid. She will explain whether BPD is a hopeless situation with no resolution or whether something can be done to intervene – including whether an “intervention” can work.
Links & Other Notes
Our website: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/
Submit a Question for Bill and Megan
All of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.
You can also find these show notes at our site as well.
Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior.
- (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
- (01:40) - The Family of Someone With BPD
- (02:43) - Avoiding Blame
- (05:34) - Helping When They Don't See the Problem
- (07:28) - When in a Marriage
- (09:22) - Couples Counseling
- (11:26) - Intervention?
- (13:50) - Calling It Out
- (15:18) - How to Approach It
- (17:03) - In High Conflict Divorces
- (20:42) - E A R Statements
- (22:18) - Medication
- (23:59) - Amanda's Book
- (26:50) - Wrapping Up
- (29:04) - Reminders
