Hi everyone, this is my first post on this forum and I'm unsure where to turn for advice and could really use some advice from a suffers perspective...
My ex partner has been suffering with clinical depression and anxiety for most of her life, and I now suspect BPD is in the mix as well.
We've been dating for 2 years, but estranged for 8 months now. It started when she was struggling at work and had to take a year off on sick leave due to stress (she hated the hospital she was working at). This grew in to a concern that she wasn't good enough as a doctor and slowly began withdrawing. Its only recently that I've found out about the term Splitting and must admit I've bared the brunt of a lot of anger in those 8 months. Towards the end I felt devalued and my presence like a trigger for her. I still love her very much, but couldn't understand at the time why she was pushing me away... so my self-esteem took a hit - we essentially spiraled.
She texts me every week or so and I've learnt to keep things light, but recently she's gone very quiet and I'm worried for her. I got a reply the other day but it was very neutral and she didn't speak about herself. Only to ask me what I've been up to.
I replied saying what I've been up to, but also said that I won't let go and won't abandon her as an ex and as a close friend and that if she needs space then she can tell me and I'll respect it wholeheartedly. My worry and question is this: By saying this am I indirectly hurting her? I get a sense that bridges are slowly being burnt and yet when I fight it she gets more angry at herself. I feel selfish because I don't want to lose her in my life but I certainly don't want her to feel down when she thinks of me. Does anyone have any advice?
G.