On Manipulation with Borderline Personality Disorder

by Kathi Stringer
Based a Story Written by Marsha M. Linehan Ph.D.

(Linehan is a professor of psychology and an adjunct professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Washington)

Suppose for a moment, that a catastrophic earthquake nearly leveled a major city. The police, fireman and emergency crews are severely taxed. No one is able to help you. Trapped in the rubble within a small opening your child you love most in the world cries for help. The opening is too small for you to crawl through; if only she could move a couple of feet. You find a stick hoping that she is able to grasp it, but to no avail. Time is of the essence. Crews are asking people to clear the area. At any moment an aftershock is likely happen. The child is crying. She can’t move because every bone in her body is broken! Do you suppose that she is manipulating you or just being difficult? Are you thinking that she will get out when she is ready? What would you do? Cheerlead, yell, plead, sweet-talk, suggest, threaten, distract and direct

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