The Outburst That Isn’t About You: Emotional Storms and BPD Traits

Listen to this episode from You Are Not Crazy on Spotify. What do you do when the person you love explodes—and it has nothing to do with you, but you’re the one absorbing the damage?In today’s episode, I’m talking about a very specific and disorienting experience: the emotional outbursts that often come from people with traits of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). These episodes are not “just” arguments. They’re dysregulated storms—sudden, intense, and often terrifying—that leave you feeling blamed, spun, and emotionally shredded.I break down what’s actually happening in these moments, why they feel so confusing, and how to begin separating yourself from the chaos. We’ll explore:What BPD-patterned emotional storms really areWhy it feels like you’re being punished for something you didn’t doHow to recognize these moments as trauma responses, not mutual conflictWhat helped me stop spiraling when I was stuck in these cyclesThe difference between compassion and self-sacrificeWhy you’re not crazy for being overwhelmed, and why this isn’t your faultThis episode isn’t about diagnosing anyone. It’s about giving language to what survivors are living through—so you can stop blaming yourself, start validating your reality, and begin choosing peace over chaos.If this resonates, I invite you to check out my full Substack series on Cluster B abuse patterns: https://jessicaknightcoaching.substack.com/Support the showJoin the Patreon: https://patreon.com/Youarenotcrazy *New Course*: Unhooked: Map the Cycle of Abuse in your Relationship Website: Emotional Abuse Coach and high-conflictdivorcecoaching.comInstagram: @emotionalabusecoachEmail: [email protected]{Substack} Blog About Recovering from Abuse {E-Book} How to Break Up with a Narcissist{Course} Identify Signs of Abuse and Begin to Heal{Free Resource} Canned Responses for Engaging with an Abusive Partner