BPD emptiness
Hey everybody! I’m hoping someone with borderline personality disorder will have some helpful suggestions. My wife has BPD and we’ve been trying to learn more about it together so that I can try to understand what she’s going through. We were watching a video yesterday that mentioned how feeling empty is one of the symptoms of BPD. My wife told me that she experiences this and that one thing that helps her feel better is playing video games because it distracts her. She also likes doing cosmetic work on her car for a distraction. Unfortunately she also is a compulsive spender because she feels that each new thing she buys (usually video games) will help with the emptiness. We’re in a very bad financial situation right now so I’m just wondering if anybody has suggestions for something you do that helps with that empty feeling. I’m just trying to find alternatives to make her feel better other than spending money.
@MDF7 Hi there! Can I first just say what a loving spouse you are for being there for your wife. It's a wonderful thing you being so supportive and trying to help her all while continually being willing to learn more about BPD. I don't know of a way to fill your wife's emptiness/void because that's something that she will need to work on. I know you can't force someone to seek therapy for BPD or other mental health problems as that is something they have to be willing to do, but have you perhaps tried encouraging her and letting her know you are proud of her efforts for learning to try and manage the struggles she face? Support and having a support system really is beneficial. Also, I would like to suggest maybe having like a "just in case of ---" kit that consists of games that she can pull out and play when she has a spending urge. I'm not sure if it will help but just an idea. I really hope that things work out and your wife feels loved, validated, and supported. She's incredibly blessed to have you as her partner and my hat goes off for you for being so understanding. :)
Thank you for your response. I guess I should have specified my wife is seeing a counselor and she’s on medication to help with her BPD so she definitely is trying to get help. I’m just wondering if anyone on here has also experienced this empty feeling that she has and if there’s anything that they personally have tried that helps that.