I Hate You--Don't Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality

by Jerold J. Kreisman

For Meredith, these shifts in mood, unresponsive to a variety of medications, were equally distressing. Her task was to recognize such swings, take responsibility for having them, and learn to adapt by compensating for their presence. When in a state of depression, she could subsequently identify it and learn to explain to others around her that she was in a down phase and would try to function as well as she could. If she was with people to whom she could not comfortably explain her situation, Meredith could maintain a low profile and actively try to avoid dealing with some of the demands on her. A major goal would involve establishing constancy—consistent, reliable attitudes and behaviors—toward herself and others.