The Scariest Aspect of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)

Low, rasping moans and screams were escaping her mouth, which brought chills down your spine. You looked at her face and saw dark coal eyes, and as the moment intensified, her eyes turned red. Her transformation let you step back as you heard her laughing like a witch. She cursed and cussed you. Her stern voice turned to the most hideous sound you could imagine. In front of you was a woman with a pure-red face spitting anger and rage. It was scary.

It may appear to be a scene from the 1973 film "The Exorcist" and the 2005 movie called "The Exorcism of Emily Rose". This scene is common among people with relationships with a person who has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). "Life is hell" described literally by NONs or non-borderlines, a person who does not have BPD but has a loved one with BPD.

According to BorderlineCentral.com, Borderline Personality Disorder is a "real, diagnosable psychiatric disorder, and its criteria are listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) published by the American Psychiatric Association." There has been a stigma in the past for personality disorders such as BPD as a form of demonic possession. Up until the 19^th century, personality disorders such as BPD began to take the form of "hysteria" in psychiatry.

Many articles have emerged on a possible link between demon possession and Borderline Personality Disorder. Christopher H. Rosik in his article from the Journal of Psychology and Theology stated that "They have altered personalities and often exhibit behaviors that appear identical to traditional descriptions of possession: evil-appearing glares, angry voices, self-hatred, self-harm, aversion to God and religion, and other symptoms."

A Case of BPD or Demonic Possession?

A true story of his experiences with BPD and bloodcurdling rages, Patrick Aguirre (not real name) recounts a story about his Borderline Ex-wife. In high school, Patrick met Renee Rodham (not real name) who was an aggressive seductress in the beginning of the relationship. She adored Patrick and held him high on a pedestal. At the same time, she played a victim of countless accounts of abuses in her life. Renee was abandoned by her mother at a young age and passed along different relatives. She claimed to have been sexually molested by some relatives but has no memory of what really happened.

Due to the excitement and thrill of teenage love, Patrick and Renee had their first son at 19 years of age. They continued to have 3 more babies every year. With children she can use as pawns, Renee became a very manipulative person. To get what she wants, Renee snatched her children out-of-state to pressure Patrick to her whims. Patrick was hesitant to marry her. He was now very familiar with Renee's mood swings. It alternates with periods of intense depression. She is always irritable and anxious. She goes to shopping sprees and was once caught shop-lifting. She would call him at work demanding that he goes home to her because she is experiencing panic attacks. She became jealous of girls in his workplace. She would appear without notice to check up on him. She would wait all day counting the minutes until he returns home and gives him a guilt trip for her feelings of emptiness. Life was filled with frequent verbal abuse, cursing, strife, turmoil, and stress at home.

However, Patrick was pressured by his family to do the "gentleman thing" and marry her. After the wedding, things became worse. With the financial demands of a growing family, Patrick struggled to find work to support his family. He found one project out-of-state which required him to be away from his family for 2 months.

Renee's feelings of boredom, emptiness and abandonment increased. She dabbled into wicca, tarot cards, new age and psychic readings. She went to party at night and eventually found a lover 11 years her junior. She decided to leave Patrick. To free herself from the shame and guilt of her decision, she brainwashed the children on the evils of their faith.

The children have not been going to their church for a long time after the couple's separation. So Patrick brought a holy "host" from the Catholic Church so the older children can receive Holy Communion. In the Catholic Church, Holy Communion is actually receiving "Jesus Christ" and is held with much reverence. Upon seeing this, Renee burst into an uncontrollable anger. She screamed like a possessed woman and ran to the hosts. She grabbed them, threw them on the floor and stamped her feet hoping to crush the host into pieces. This act is considered "sacrilegious" in the Catholic Church and may be considered comparable to a demonic possession.

What Characteristics Make Borderlines Seemingly Possessed?

The once attractive spouses that enchanted NONs turn into gruesome- looking beings with glaring, black coal eyes turning red and watery. Most NONs claim that their BPD lover's demeanor changes abruptly. They had a sneer on their faces and acted as if they were in another dimension. They would flinch whenever Jesus Christ or God was mentioned. They would scream with the worst blasphemy one could imagine. It is surprising how many NONs experience similar mannerisms and facial expressions from their Borderline loved ones.

Demon possession in itself is a taboo subject. But for non-Christians, the evils of Borderlines must have another rational explanation. However, they do not deny how a Borderline's presence exhibits darkness, lies, betrayal, greed, addiction, abuse, pride, control, manipulation, hatred and rebellion. All are elements of spiritual bondage yielding sin.

Spiritual Warfare

The struggles of a NON in dealing with a Borderline is like being in a war. Borderlines shoot arrows, bombs, guns to their loved ones on a daily basis. Many NONs do not leave their Borderline partner with hopes that they can save them. Like in any battles, the innocent children suffer.

Patrick did his best to get help for Renee. Patrick sought the help of his spiritual director in the hope of finding answers to his predicament. His spiritual director advised that he remain steadfast in his prayers and God will hear him. With trust in God, Patrick focused on saving his children. He taught his children to pray together and pray for their Borderline mother. One day, Renee found the children an inconvenience and decided to give custody to Patrick. Patrick was ecstatic on the turn of events. His children will have the chance to heal from the turmoil of living with a Borderline.

Conclusion

The Borderline exhibits traits and characteristics similar to a person being possessed or oppressed. Many believe that evil preys on the weaknesses of people. Many NONs, who have successfully departed from the vicious relationship with a Borderline, swear that their Borderlines Ex have been taken over by "something". Many Borderlines have deteriorated in their beauty to the point of looking like zombies as they chose the destructive path and the consequences that go with it.

When we deal with evil, there is no recourse but to look at things from a spiritual dimension. There are a few treatment options for BPD. It is important for the loved ones of a Borderline to seek spiritual strength. Dealing with the evil and chaos of the relationship with a Borderline can be analogous to a spiritual warfare. The spiritual warrior must seek to constantly strengthen himself in an understanding of God's truth. As you struggle to deal with the chaos and oppression, trust God for He will lead you to the truth. He will be the only armor you'll need for shield and protection. God's matchless weapons are mercy and peace.

Sources:

"Borderline Personality Disorder and Religion", Borderlinecentral.com

Christopher H. Rosik, "Critical Issues in the Dissociative Disorders field: Six Perspectives from Religiously Sensitive Practitioners", Journal of Psychology and Religion, Goliath.ecnext.com

Dr. Scott Peck, "The People of the Lie", Amazon.com

"Reaching Out to the Nation with Spiritual Truth", Spiritual Warfare Ministries Online, Sw-mins.org

Abdullah Z. Jefri, "Review of The People Of the Lie". Amazon.com

www.bpdcentral.com