Moving on from Dysfunctional Relationships

Not so long ago, I joined a Facebook group for abuse survivors, in hopes of finding support and encouragement. While I was encouraged and supported in the best way an anonymous person on the Internet could be, I felt there was too much reliance on the word “narcissist.” As I tried to find intelligent solace in reading members’ posts, I discovered many people playing the martyr. (I had observed that behavior in my own mother). Many of these people seeking and offering advice probably suffered from some mental or personality disorder as well. I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I have also been told I have low self-esteem. Despite my plethora of issues, I am still able to see myself and others through a clear lens. Though I was certain that my husband was a narcissist, I was unconvinced that this label could be applied to my mother. I suspect she suffers from borderline personality disorder (BPD). The two disorders have similar, even overlapping, traits. They often are distinguished by emotional instability and a distorted perception of one’s identity. Narcissists such as my ex-husband often exhibit arrogant behavior and a high sense of self-importance. He often told me he “could easily get somebody else” but insisted nobody would want me. Despite the decline I saw in his mind from the many years of alcohol abuse, he believed he had superior intelligence. Much of his time was devoted to sharing his great mental prowess through esoteric online ...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Anger Anxiety and Panic Borderline Personality Depression Disorders Family General Grief and Loss Psychology Relationships Borderline Personality Disorder Depression (mood) Facebook Histrionic personality disorder Narcissistic Source Type: blogs