Whether you’ve been married less than five years or more than 20, you and your spouse have undoubtedly encountered challenges in your relationship at some point. Most spouses do. If you’re among those in Kentucky who have filed for divorce from a spouse who has Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or another diagnosed mental condition, you may have your work cut out to avoid conflict in court.
The American Psychiatric Association (APA) uses certain guidelines to determine whether a person has BPD. While your spouse’s symptoms may be different from another person’s, it simply means that BPD may present in various forms. Common symptoms include emotional instability, trouble maintaining healthy relationships, and risky or destructive personal behavior. An emotionally unstable person might try to provoke you to confrontation in court.
You might notice your spouse’s symptoms worsen at times
Every married couple has disagreements from time to time. In fact, you wouldn’t be alone in your struggle to say that you and your spouse have had some nasty arguments during your marriage. At such times, you may have noticed that your spouse’s BPD symptoms got worse. Stress, fear and numerous other issues can cause symptoms to flare.
Mental health experts say that the brain of someone diagnosed with BPD has a different structure and functions differently than the average person’s brain. If your ex tends to be impulsive and unable to control his or her emotions or rash behavior, this might be an underlying factor.
What are the treatment options for people with BPD?
Because mood swings and depression are often symptoms of BPD, doctors often prescribe medication to help with these issues. Psychotherapy is another option that may be part of the treatment plan for your spouse or someone else who has BPD. This particular treatment is especially useful for those whose condition relates to childhood trauma or abuse.
Wanting a fair settlement doesn’t mean you lack compassion
BPD is likely not the sole factor that led to your decision to divorce. In fact, it might not have been a factor at all. Mental illness is not only hard on patients themselves but on caregivers and family members, as well. Regarding your divorce, you have a right to expect a fair settlement.
If your ex refuses to cooperate, is disregarding terms of agreement or is trying to make things as difficult as possible for you to finalize your divorce, you may want to reach out for additional support to help alleviate the stress of trying to resolve complex legal issues on your own.