borderline personality disorder
need for a mother
paul mason
HOME  |  BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER BOOKSTORE  |  FIND A THERAPIST
Borderline Personality Today  
 
Home
Bookstore
DSM IV Diagnosis
BPD Expert Archives
Articles
Research
Chat Transcripts
Consumer's Literary Library
BPD Today Community
Author Interviews
Clinicians That Treat BPD
Resources
Family Index
BPD Survey
Clinician Area
BPD From NIMH
Psychotropic Medications
Free Medications
Find a Therapist
Volunteers
Spiritual Support
MH Exercises
Award Sign Up
Disclaimer
Mission Statement
Privacy
Copyright
BPD Links
About
Contact

BPD Today Newsletters

Join the BPD Today Newsletter! Or send a blank email here.

Packed with emotional support, new information, research and site additions.

 
Q. How common is it among the psychiatric community for one to be afflicted with the un-ending, overwhelming need for a mother? I have been posting about it and am finding that I am not alone with this problem. Yet, one hears so little of it and how to fix it. I have been seen by many therapists and none seem to have the answer for it (at least for me). Much has been tried. But the need does not budge in me. Rejection after rejection, I still find myself searching for someone to devote themselves to being a mother to me. The need in me won't let me walk away, even when the threat of rejection is so clear. How common is this and has any therapist or doctor found a way (or even tried) to find the answer that would help?

A. You pose an interesting question. The nurturing and care of a mother can probably never be replicated so the search for a mother-surrogate sounds to be one that would never be fruitful. It almost sounds like you are searching for something or someone that doesn't exist. That certainly can be frustrating. And even if you found someone special who initially provided you with what you were looking for (i.e., nurturing, care, unconditional love, etc...) I can't imagine it would be healthy for either of you for that to continue very long. Even moms need to let their children grow up and pursue their own life and interests separate from the mom. So, I am not sure if you will ever find what you are looking for. At this point, it seems more beneficial to work on issues with your therapist that capitalize on what you do have in your life rather than what you don't have in your life.


Visit MH Matters for information and articles. Get help to find a therapist or list your practice; and Psych Forums for message boards on a variety of MH topics.

Sponsors: Aphrodite's Love Poetry  ¦  Make Money on the Internet