Stop the Abuse

BRANDON MARSHALL Admits Borderline Personality Disorder

August 2nd, 2011, was a momentous day for Borderline Personality Disorder.  Someone famous finally stepped up to the plate and announced publicly that they suffered from the disorder.

The mental health profession has known of the existence of Borderline Personality Disorder for over 20 years, yet most of our country -- and the world, for that matter -- is completely ignorant of it.  What has been needed is someone (known and admired by the public) to be brave enough to talk about Borderline Personality Disorder and attempt to help other sufferers.

We've needed another Betty Ford (as in the Betty Ford Center for alcohol and drug addiction treatment).

Well, Brandon Marshall isn't Betty Ford, but he's beginning to walk in her foot steps.  The Miami Dolphins wide receiver announced at a press conference on August 2nd that he was diagosed earlier this year with Borderline Personality Disorder.

Marshall said he made the decision to go public with the issue to "raise awareness" and that he plans to eventually lobby Congress for funding to assist research efforts.  "The only reason I'm standing here today is to use my story to help others who may suffer from what I suffer from."

Marshall said, "For so long I've been just trying to get help.  I've been seeking help.  I've been talking with doctors since I've been in the NFL.  No one has ever helped me." 

He said he has spent $60,000 on treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder.  He credits McLean Hospital in Belmont, Mass., where he spent 3 months undergoing intensive evaluation and treatment, for finally identifying his problem.

This is a good start.  Now maybe other people we know and respect will begin to come forward with their own stories.  Then maybe we can start getting a handle on this terribly painful disorder -- not only for  the sufferers, but also for their lovers, family members, friends and employers. 

Everyone is confused and hurting around a Borderline.

HIGH FIVES: Home Security Systems Donated to DV Victims

Hurray for ADT Security Services, the Spring of Tampa Bay, the Tampa Police Department and the Sheriff's Office in Tampa.

The November 16, 2005, issue of the St. Petersburg Times in St. Petersburg, Florida, reported that domestic violence victims who are deemed to be in imminent danger and have secured restraining orders will be given -- free of charge -- a home security system that sends a silent alarm to ADT Security Services.  The victims can either push a button mounted in the home or on a pendant.

ADT is paying for the program, estimated to cost $50,000 over five years.  High Five to ADT.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if every security service in the country offered the same service?

(NOTE:  Even though a security system in a victim's home gives security while they're there, what about when they're out in the community?  A restraining order is nothing more than a piece of paper.  Many women are murdered every year, with restraining orders in their pocket.  One woman I read about was shot by her soon-to-be-ex-husband in the parking lot of a Walmart, with her teenage daughter watching in horror.

If I were in this dangerous situation, I'd want  to be able to act in my own defense.  If you're fearful for your own safety, check out the information from the Best Stun Gun web site about pepper spray and stun guns.  Better safe than sorry.)

INTERVIEWS ABOUT BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

SEPTEMBER 20, 2010:  Dr. Beth Erickson (known as "Dr. Beth") of Web Talk Radio interviewed me for 30 minutes about Borderline Presonality Disorder and how it affects the partners of people suffering from this disorder.  Dr. Beth is a psychologist, so she has a good understanding of this problem. 

You'll find the interview eye-opening, with straight talk about what it's like to be in a relationship with someone who's Dr. Jekyll one minute and Mr. Hyde the next.  On-again / off-again relatioships will eventually make us sick. 

Click here to go directly to the interview -- then hit your back button to come back here and pick up a copy of my Breaking Free from Boomerang Love book !!  (Now available on Amazon for Kindle and pdf, plus iPhone, Blackberry or Android cell phones).

 Click on the link to the left, below the book cover, to get it.  You'll be glad you did.

FEBRUARY 8, 2010:  This 2-hour long interview of me by Miss Kiy on the Blog Talk Radio program No Single Mama Drama  was dramatically different from anything you've heard about Borderline Persoality Disorder.  With 2 hours of time, I was able to powerfully deliver hard-hitting, straight talk about how this disorder is created, why partners unknowingly commit to Borderlines, why Borderlines get mis-diagnosed in therapy, the treatment programs now available for Borderlines (IF they can see that it's their mis-perceptions that are causing the problems), and much more.

Click here to go directly to this possibly life-saving the interview -- then hit your back button to come back here and pick up a copy of my Breaking Free from Boomerang Love book.  (Now available on Amazon for Kindle and pdf, plus iPhone, Blackberry and Android cell phones.)

Click on the link to the left, below the book cover, to get it.  You'll be glad you did !!

NEW DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAW USED BY WOMAN

The state of Washington is ahead of most other states in requiring employers to protect their employees experiencing domestic violence by giving them reasonable time off to attend court and ensure their family's afety.  The Domestic Violence Leave Act was passed in 2008.

An eastern Washington woman has sued her former employer for failing to provide time off to deal with a domestic violence case and ultimately fired her.

What do you think about this?  Does your state have laws to protect victims?

Domestic Violence Abuser Let Off the Hook by Judge

If I had false teeth, I would have "dropped them", as they say, when I read the headline today -- "Baltimore Judge Marries Accused Abuser to Victim During Trial to Avoid Testimony." !!!!!!!!!

What??  The story in today's Baltimore Sun newspaper relates that Frederick Wood appeared in court to face a second-degree assault charge, stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident between Wood and his fiance. 

Wood pleaded not guilty and his fiance was refusing to testify against him (despite the fact that she told the police that Wood "smacked her in the face, kicked her and banged her head against a wall and then dragged her").

SO -- Wood's defense attorney "ASKED THE JUDGE FOR A POSTPONEMENT TO ALLOW WOOD AND THE ALLEGED VICTIM TO GET MARRIED, SO THAT THE VICTIM COULD INVOKE MARITAL PRIVILEGE."  !!!

The judge replied, "WELL, WHY DON'T I JUST MARRY THEM TODAY IN COURT?" !!!  Jaw dropping . . . .

So he allowed Wood to leave the court for 2 hours, to drive WITH HIS FIANCE/VICTIM to get a marriage license. 

He then married them in his office and dismissed the case later in the court because his new "wife" wouldn't testify against him.

The case broke on the local news station, and Judge G. Darrell Russell Jr. was promptly removed from the bench and assigned to administrative duties by Chief Judge Ben Clyburn.  At least someone in that court house has some sense.

What do you think of a judge who would do something like this?

Interviews About Borderline Personality Disorder

NOTE ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2010:  Earler this month Dr. Beth Erickon (known as "Dr. Beth") of Web Talk Radio interviewed me for 30 mintes about Borderline Personality Disorder.  Since she's a psychologist, she has a good understanding of this disorder.  I think you'll find many parts of the interview eye-opening, with straight talk about what it's like to be in a relationship with a person suffering from the Borderline disorder. Click on the below link to go directly to the interview -- then come back to purchase my Boomerang Love book !!  You'll be glad you did.

http://webtalkradio.net/2010/09/06/relationships-101-%e2%80%93-x/

NOTE ON FEBRUARY 8, 2010:  The below hour-long interview with me was dramatically different from anything you've ever heard about Borderline Personality Disorder.  With two hours of air time, I was able to powerfully deliver hard-hitting, straight talk about the Borderline disorder.  Click on the below link to download this possibly lifesaving interview:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/nosinglemamadrama.

* * * * * * * * 

Just a quick note to let you know that I'll be interviewed about my 'Boomerang Love' book and Borderline Personality Disorder specifically, on the No Single Mama Drama Blog Talk Radio program this coming Sunday, January 24th, at 6:00 pm EST / 3:00 pm PST.

If you're interested, go to http://blogtalkradio.com/nosinglemamadrama for more information.

The call-iin number on Sunday is (646) 721 - 9789.  As I understand it, we dial the number 1 "to say hi" (which means we're on the air to speak).  To email questions,write to nsmd@yahoo.com.

There'll be a one-hour talk between the two co-hosts and myself, followed by another hour of call-ins and emailed questions.  This blog talk radio program has been on the air for four years and has a loyal, wide audience.  Despite the name of the show, I'm told that there are a numer of male listners also.  As we know, the Borderline disorder isn't confined to just one sex.

The main host, MIss Kiy, and I had a long conversation earlier this week.  She's very well versed about abusive relationships, domestic violence and Borderline Personality Disorder, having experienced two Borderline relationships herself. 

If you go online and check out some of her previous recordings, you'll see that there's a lot of energy on her shows. 

I'm excited about the opportunity to once again get the word out about Borderline Personality Disorder and help more people understand it.

I hope you'll join me, Miss Kiy and Mrs. Rhee on Sunday.  Bring your questions and your comments.  There'll be lots of folks listening.

ANOTHER STRANGLING: Yale Student Annie Le

Omigosh.  First Rihanna told the cops in February that Chris Brown strangled her until she lost consciousness, and when she came to he was gone !  It was only her screams that brought someone to her car for a call to 911.

Then this week Whitney Houston finally got honest with Oprah re the abuse she put up with from ex-husband Bobby Brown.  She said, "I tried to make myself smaller so he as the man could be bigger."  Oprah said, "You were trying to be the Good Wife."

And now the tragic ending to the story of the disappearance of the bride-to-be, Yale student Annie Le . . . strangled and stuffed into the wall of the very laboratory that she had worked in. 

Rihanna survived because Brown stopped before she was dead.  Whitney is surviving because she got out.

Annie Le hadn't read the two posts here on my blog -- STRANGLING: How to Prevent Your Death and STRANGLING: More Ways to Prevent Your Death.  (Find these posts in the column to the left.)

My first post says it takes a full SEVEN MINUTES TO DIE BY STRANGLING.  The problem is that we lose consciousness well before that time. 

If you're in a relationship where a man -- or a woman -- has laid their hands on your throat, know that THEY WILL DO IT AGAIN.  Read my two posts, memorize them and do what the second post says -- practice your defensive moves with a partner.  You won't have time to try to remember your moves the next time.

And rent the film 'Enough' with Jennifer Lopez starring as the abused wife. 

Start making your plans to get out.  Go to my web site -- www.boomeranglove.com -- and order the tips booklet titled "100 Ways to Leave an Abuser (Safely)".

Be aware that four women are murdered every day in this country, by their intimate partner.  25 percent of these killings are witnessed by their own children. 

SO -- the first two weeks after a person tells theire abuser they're leaving are the most dangerous.  The leaving must be planned carefully.  In fact, my booklet says not to tell your abuser you're leaving at all -- leave when they don't know you're leaving, when they're away from the home.

Have you experienced someone trying to strangle you?  How did you get away?  Are you getting help now?  Share with us.  We care.

STRANGLING: More Ways to Prevent Your Death

I previously posted advice on how to break a strangler's hold on your neck by quickly pushing very hard with your thumbs on the person's eyeballs.  The optical nerve is directly behind the eyeball.  Pressing hard and deep on the eyeballs will make the strangler pass out.

I recently received a comment from Jerry Lane, adding some great advice.  Rather than post his advice in the Comments section, I decided to print his comment here in a full post, to give it the attention it deserves. 

It's important to remember that if a person tries to strangle you once,  they 'will' do it again.  If you are temporarily unable to move away from this person, you 'must' be prepared for the next time. 

Jerry says:

     "I have a black belt in Judo and have been trained in the use of strangle holds.  From a self-defense perspective, it is very important to take effective action quickly. 

     "It may take many minutes to kill someone with a choke or strangle.  However, a properly applied strangle will cause someone to pass out within 8 to 10 seconds.  Once you are unconscious, it's irrelevant how long it will take to kill you.

     "Pressure on the eyeballs is an excellent self defense move, but some people are too squeamish to follow through with such a maneuver.

     "Depending on how the attacker is applying the choke, you may buy a little extra time by tucking your chin to your chest and shrugging your shoulders (turtle up) to relieve some of the pressure.

     "You must act immediately and effectively, since your attacker is most likely bigger and stronger.  Pounding on arms or chest with your fists will most likely not work.

     "Priority one is to relieve the pressure.  If it's a front, manual choke, try to grab the attacker's thumbs and pry them off. Pull out and down with all your strength.

     "If you cannot dislodge the thumbs, go for the little fingers.  Apply as much force against the joints as you can.  A properly applied pinky lock is very painful and can put a large man on his knees.

     "Find someone to practice these maneuvers with until it becomes automatic.  You won't have time to think if someone attacks you.

     "One the strangle is released, your next priority is escape.  Otherwise, the attack will probably resume.

     "Remember, this is all happening in the span of a few seconds.  Stomp on your attacker's instep (foot), or kick him hards in the shins or groin.

     "While you're doing all this, scream for help.  Make as much commotion as you can.

     "I can't cover all the bases in this kind of post.  Seek out a good self defense instructor and take lessons.  Practice, practice, practice."

                               * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you so much, Jerry.  This is such valuable information.  I know you have saved lives by taking the time to post your information here.

And readers, don't forget the Jennifer Lopez film "Enough".  She did exactly what Jerry is advising -- she found a good self defense instructor, got good training, and saved her own life by doing so.  If you haven't seen it, make that a priority.  'Nuff said.

    

RIHANNA AND CHRIS BROWN BATTERING

We've all read the story now -- the rented Lamborghini, the text message from Chris Brown's manager (supposedly asking to meet up with him later in the evening), Rihanna's anger and Brown's physically hitting and biting her, ultimately strangling her to the point of almost unconsciousness, and photos of Rihanna's beaten and bruised face leaked to the press, her black eye prominently shown.

And what about that Chris Brown mug shot, his later apology and possible felony criminal charges and jail?

Donald Trump told Rihanna that she'd "better get the hell out . . . ."   'Project Runway' winner Christian Siriano said, ". . . there has to be something that she did to provoke it." 

And Oprah said, "If he hit you once, he'll hit you again !!"

Wow.  The good part of all this is that the media hs been all over it, providing a good topic of discussion and learning lesson for everyone.

As I see it, the learning lesson is coming from what's happened between the two after the abusive event -- Rihanna almost immediately went back to Brown.

The most difficult aspect of domestic violence is the tendency of the victim to return to the abuser -- again and again.  We all wonder, "Why doesn't she/he leave?"

In my own experience with an emotionally abusive partner, I believed that if I just loved my partner enough, I could compensate for the damage done by his abusive childhood experiences.  I thought the hurtful behavior of my partner would melt away with my love.

I didn't know that my partner was suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder -- a thinking disorder that makes people misperceive the interactions they have with others, overreact and then act out all the rage they still have stored inside from their abusive childhoods. 

I didn't know that my love wasn't enough, that it would never cure a Borderline.

The core symptom of a Borderline is seen as frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment, with inappropriate, intense anger and difficulty controlling it.   They seem jealous and very angry about it -- yet inside are really afraid of being abandoned, as they were as children.

(See my previous post in the left column -- Domestic Violence and Borderline Behavior Compared.)

These are our abused, neglected, abandoned children grown up.  Chris Brown revealed in earlier interviews that he grew up in an abusive, violent home.  My guess is that Brown was afraid he'd lose Rihanna, as she was upset over his manager's message.

Anger management classes don't help people with the level of intense fear translated into the rage shown by Brown.  Rihanna's love won't cure Brown.  These people need mental health professional help.

My book -- Breaking Free from Boomerang Love (www.boomeranglove.com) seems to help abuse victims distinctly see how disturbed their partner is -- and the reality of their situation.  This seems to enable them to more clearly understand the danger they're living in and to begin planning how to safely leave. 

(See my two previous posts in the left column of this blog -- 100 Ways to Leave an Abuser (Safely) and Most Dangerous Time to Leave:  1st Two Weeks)

What do you think about what happened between Rihanna and Chris Brown?  Give us your comments below.  Will Brown go to jail?  What should Rihanna be doing? 

100 WAYS TO LEAVE AN ABUSER (SAFELY)

After we've come out of our denial that we're being abused ("It's really not so bad.") -- when we're ready to walk away from family pressure ("You must keep the family together.") -- when religious beliefs no longer hold us hostage ("Marriage is a sacred vow.") -- when we overcome shame ("I don't want anyone to know.") . . . .

When we know that our very sanity and maybe our lives are being destroyed by living with an abuser . . . .

We make the decision -- we must leave.

But how do we get out safely?  I've just published a tips booklet, courtesy of the National Center for Victims of Crime, titled 100 Ways to Leave an Abuser (Safely).  You can check it out on my web site -- www.boomeranglove.com -- click on Tips Booklets.

There are many things to remember to take with you, people to contact, back-up plans to make, careful strategies to lay in place.  This little booklet has tips on how to plan your get-away, how to execute it and how to make your new home safe.

Remember that the first two weeks after we announce we're leaving -- or after we leave -- are the most highly emotional for the abuser.  Abuser behaviors are very similar to those of people suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder (see entry on this blog re Domestic Violence & Borderline Behavior Compared).

So our leaving must be carefully planned.  My new tips booklet will help you move through this process with a sense of confidence.

Are you in the process, or do you wish to leave an abuser?  Share your thoughts and experiences with us so we can all be better prepared.

100 WAYS TO SPOT AN ABUSER

People who abuse us don't usually show that behavior in the beginning of our relationship with them.  They're on their good behavior when we first meet them -- and on through the infatuation phase. 

It's when things begin to settle down (three to six months later), when our relationship is supposed to deepen into the cuddling/snuggling/trust phase, that the odd behavior begins to come out.

Over the course of his 30-year career, Dr. Kent Griffiths, a mental health therapist in Holladay, Utah, has compiled a list of 100 behaviors that describe what he calls a character disorder or personality disorder.

Dr. Griffiths believes that character disordered people show themselves as different from everyone else by their baseline behavior -- meaning they return to their deviant behavior over time (usually in 3 to 6 months).

Dr. Griffiths has allowed me to publish his list of abusive behaviors as a tips booklet titled 100 Ways to Spot an Abuser.  If interested, you can check out my web site -- www.boomeranglove.com -- and click on Tips Booklets for some sample behaviors.

Some examples:

     1.  Low stress tolerance with explosive behavior

     2.  Moody, switching from nice guy/gal to anger without much provocation

     3.  Uses threats and intimidation to keep others chained to them

     4.  Refuses to take resonsibility for their behavior.

Sound familiar?  Care to share some of the abusive behavior you've observed in your partner or others?  Use the comment form below to let us know what you've experienced.

MAY VOTED Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month

Hurray !!  Borderline Personality Disorder is finally getting some governmental attention. 

On April 1, 2008, the U. S. House of Representatives voted 414-0 to adopt H. Res. 1005, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.

The resolution, introduced by Representative Thomas Davis (R-VA), expresses the sense of the House that May should be designated as Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month.

Representative Davis said, "Mental health professionals have recognized this disease since 1980, yet it continues to lag far behind other psychiatric disorders of similar prevalence in research, treatment options and family education.  Raising awareness of this disease is an important first step toward getting the recognition and research dollars that, hopefully, can help future victims and their families avoid the enormous suffering this disease causes now."

Of course, this is only one branch of our government, but it's a step in the right direction. 

It's time for Borderline Personality Disorder to come out of the closet.

What do you think about this governmental action?  Will it do any good?  What needs to be done next?

BEHAVIORS INDICATING Borderline Personality Disorder

Does your partner act like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?   On my web site, I have a section titled Red Flags (http://www.boomeranglove.com/asp/redflags-20.asp.  Here you can study over 80 behaviors that indicate the possible presence of Borderline Personality Disorder.

Dr. J. Kent Griffiths has spent over 30 years compiling his thoughts on what he considers to be a characer disorder/personality disorder.  He has graciously allowed me to reprint his behavior list on both my web site and in my book Breaking Free from Boomerang Love.

Dr. Griffiths states that a character disordered person is different from everyone else by their "baseline' behavior -- meaning that they return to the deviant behavior over time. 

All of us have bad days.  Dr. Griffiths says that problems occur only when the majority of behavior is present and repetitive over time.

Check out the above Red Flags section of my web site and then return here to comment below on your thoughts.

MOST DANGEROUS TIME TO LEAVE: 1st Two Weeks

The April 2, 2006, issue of the Louisiana Shreveport Times points up once more the danger of those first two weeks when we either leave our abusive relationship -- or simply 'announce' that we're leaving.

The above news piece reports that March 29, 2006, "a man fired four shots at his girlfriend, after she told him she wanted to end the relationship.  While the gunman missed his target, he sent a bullet crashing through a school bus window.  The shards of glass injured a child."

Be careful, my friends . . . be careful.

BORDERLINE SEX/PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTION

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT FOR BORDERLINES

Dr. Marsha Linehan of the University of Washington in Seattle created a program that has been effective in treating Borderline Personality Disorder -- Dialectical Behavior Therapy.  However, it's not an easy program for Borderlines to grasp and takes years to show positive results.

This month's American Journal of Psychiatry announced a new alternative psychotherapy treatment for Borderlines called mentalization based therapy (MBT).  This new Borderline treatment focuses on helping an individual separate out what thoughts and feelings are theirs, and what thoughts and feelings are others'.

Now there's a concept.  I used to tell my Borderline partner that he had screens over his ears.  I would say one thing and he would react as if I had said something else -- and he'd be angry at what he thought I'd said.  It was a no-win, crazy-making situation.

And trying to tell a Borderline that their perceptions aren't correct is like trying to tell a blind person that a lamp is on in the room.  The Borderline simply can't see it.  You said what you said -- or did what you did -- and the Borderline knows why you did it -- and you deserve the rage, you spawn of the devil.

The good news for Borderlines is that this MBT program actually is fairly successful, in much less time than DBT. 

The Borderline program is 18 months of mentalization based therapy, followed by 18 months of maintenance mentalizing group therapy, for a total of three years worth of treatment. 

Compared to how long it takes for DBT to take hold, this is good news.

Now if we can only convince our Borderlines that they need it . . . .

What do you think about this new treatment?  Think it would work?  Take a moment to comment below. 

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE & BORDERLINE BEHAVIOR COMPARED

Statistically, it's estimated that 30 to 60 percent of domestic violence abusers are suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder .  So why doesn't the domestic violence industry (administrators, organizations, shelters, counselors, legislators) tell DV victims about that?

I believe that if DV victims were informed and educated about the feelings driving the behavior of DV abusers, they could many times actually prevent the abuse from coming their way.  The new information, of course, wouldn't heal or restore the abuser to health -- but it would at least buy some time for the victims to safely plan their exit.

The absolute core feeling -- and desperate fear -- of a BPD is that of being abandoned.  Therefore, they seem jealous -- controlling -- hypersensitive.  Of course they blame us for their feelings and problems -- because if we didn't do what we do (get home late from work, spend time with a friend whose mother is dying, stay up late studying because we're trying to advance our career) -- they wouldn't feel abandoned !  Can you see the logic here?

I believe the rest of the DV abuser's behavior -- verbal abuse, rigid gender expectations and roles, dramatic personality swings, threats of violence, using force during an argument, etc. -- can be traced back to the desperation of a man (or woman) acting out the fear and rage of the abandoned child grown up.  He fears the childhood terrors of being abandoned again -- and by gosh, he's going to prevent it this time.  Now he's a grown-up and "nobody's going to do that to me again".

Below are the "Indicators of a Battering Personality", courtesy of Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County, California.  Below also are the behaviors of a person suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, as described in the mental health profession's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV. 

You decide for yourself whether the behaviors aren't much the same.  You might also check out the over 80 Red Flag behaviors listed on my Boomerang Love web site that indicate the possibility of a Borderline disorder.

INDICATORS OF A BATTERING PERSONALITY

* Controlling behavior

* Jealousy

* Unrealistic expectations

* Hypersensitivity

* Quick involvement in the relationship

* Attempts to isolate you

* Tendency to blame others for problems or feelings

* Cruelty to animals or children

* Verbal abuse

* Rigid gender expectations and roles

* Dramatic personality swings

* Threats of violence

* Throwing, striking, or breaking objects

* Using force during an argument

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER -- DSM-IV

* Frantic efforts to avoid real or imagined abandonment.

* A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation

* Identity disturbance: markedly and persistently unstable self-image or sense of self

* Impulsivity in at least two areas that are potentially self-damaging (e.g., spending, sex, substance abuse, reckless driving, binge eating).

* Recurrent suicidal behavior, gestures, or threats, or self-mutilating behavior

* Affective instability due to a marked reactivity of mood (e.g., intense episodic dysphoria, irritability, or anxiety usually lasting a few hours and only rarely more than a few days)

* Chronic feelings of emptiness

* Inappropriate, intense anger or difficulty controlling anger (e.g., frequent displays of temper, constant anger, recurrent physical fights)

* Transient, stress-related paranoid ideation or severe disassociative symptoms

Do you recognize any of these behaviors in your intimate partner, family member, friend or co-worker?  Be a part of the conversation about this issue.  Comment below to let us know your thoughts.

PROTECTION FROM ABUSE: Lifeline Calls the Cops

I'm again horrified to read of two murder-suicides this last week -- two domestic violence abusers, one killing his fiance and the other murdering his girlfriend, before killing themselves.  Kathy Acompanado was stabbed to death in Milwaukee, WI, and Tina Freeman died in Shelby, NC.  Tina's body and that of her boyfriend were found on a back road.  Cause of death has not yet been determined,

Both couples had previous incidents reported to law enforcement of domestic abuse.  As we all know, restraining orders are just a simple piece of paper.  Try to protect yourself from a bullet -- or a knife -- or hands around your neck -- with a piece of paper !

I won't go into why in the world these women didn't leave these abusive men earlier.  We all know why -- they thought if they just loved their abuser enough, they could compensate for the terrible childhoods these men had experienced -- and the abuse would miraculously disappear. 

I wrote about this in my book, Breaking Free from Boomerang Love (http://www.boomeranglove.com/asp/redflags-20.asp).

Today I want to talk about protection from the abuser. 

I've recently learned that there's a national company ( Phillips Lifeline -- 1-800-543-3546) that specializes in home alert systems.  The systems are used primarily by people in frail health and who live alone, to call for medical help.

But what about calling for law enforcement help?  It can be used for that also.  I'm informed that many people in remote areas use it. 

The equipment is basically a dialer that's installed on your phone.  When you push the button (around your neck or in your pocket), the 24-hour trained professionals come on your speaker phone and ask what you need. 

You only need to say, "Call the cops!" and they'll be on their way.

I have spoken with this company and they've sent me coupons to save up to $80.00 with free activation of the system. 

Contact me through the 'email me' link at the upper left of this blog, and I'll send you one.

What are your thoughts on this?  Do you think it would help you?  Or was there a time in the past when this would have helped you?  Or someone else?  Share your comments on the link below so others can learn to protect themsevles.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS LEARN: "Safety First" for Abuse Victims

Ever gone to a religious leader/counselor for help with your abusive relationship and been told to forgive, try harder to be a good spouse, reminded of your marriage vows of "til death do we part" -- wanting to scream that your relationship with your abuser was going to kill you first?

The Providence Journal in Rhode Island reported that the Interfaith Alliance Against Domestic Violence held a day-long worship on April 26 2007.  The Rev. Kristen Leslie, a minister, expert on domestic violence and professor at Yale Divinity School, spoke to a group of priests, ministers, rabbis, elders, nuns, deacons and Buddhist and Muslim women.

Rev. Leslie put it bluntly -- domestic violence "is hurting our people."   Abusers, she said, will do all they can to create a "closed system" where the victim is unable to critique the system because she or he has been cut off from outside influences.

So what can clergy do to reach out to the abused and battered people in their congregations?  Rev. Leslie said, "You can be the best theologian, spiritual sage, scholar of the Bible or Koran, but if you don't attend to the person's safety, you're not helping."

After safety, Rev. Leslie says the most serious misuse of spiritual concepts is the notion of forgiveness, which abusers will use to their own advantage.

In the Christian tradition, she noted that forgiveness is supposed to be preceded by some truth telling and confession by the perpetrator/penitent.  This means that before he/she can be forgiven, the perpetrator has to admit his wrong, take responsibility, make a permanent change in his/her life and make restitution.

(Whew.  That's a tall order for an abuser -- most of whom tell us that it's our fault they abused us !!  And then there's that Boomerang Love thing that goes on with partners of abusers -- going back in again, thinking that if we love them enough, they'll change.)

Joanne Friday, of the Buddhist Clear Heart Sangha, said she knew of a woman who had been abused who asked her Buddhist teacher how she could show more compassion to her abuser. 

The Buddhist teacher replied that her "first order was to have compassion for herself, and that she needed to leave."

Couldn't have said it better myself.  Come to think of it, I did -- in my book (www.boomeranglove.com) .

Have you experienced counseling from a spiritual leader which showed that person didn't understand the nature of abuse or the Borderline disorder?  If you had followed that advice, would it have made your situation worse or put you in danger?  Share your story with us in the Comments section below.  Learning from each other is what this blog is all about.

TEEN DATING VIOLENCE is as Serious as Adult Domestic Violence

I was astonished to read in the Princeton, Illinois, Bureau County Republican newspaper that one in five teens in a serious relationship report they have been hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.  Puppy love seems so cute, doesn't it?  Yet there it is again, the staggering statistics of one person hurting another, beginning at very young ages.

I believe many of these budding victimizers are showing early signs of Borderline Personality Disorder.  As a culture, we're color blind to the behaviors of Borderlines and thus excuse it.  Check out the Red Flags section of my web site -- http://www.boomeranglove.com/asp/redflags-20.asp -- for over 70 behaviors linked to a person suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder. 

When we see the abusive behavior, most of us don't know how to recognize it for what it really is.  Nor do we know that there is now effective mental health treatment for people suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder.

To read more about how to recognize the behaviors and warning signs of teens being abused, read the book titled but I love him -- Protecting Your Teen Daughter from Controlling, Abusive Dating Relationships by Dr. Jill Murray.  Dr. Murray is a licensed psychotherapist who speaks to thousands of students and parents around the country each year on the topic of abusive teen relationships.  She has a private practice in Laguna Niguel, California.

Has your teenager been the victim of date violence?  How did you handle it?  Were you a victim of abuse as a teenager?  Click on the Comments link below to share your journey with us.  Let's start talking about this.