I asked a question in the relationship part under the heading "mother dearest" and it has been suggested I check our borderline personality disorder. What are the symptoms or signs? I read a book on multiple personalities once and wondered if that was what my mom had but never anything on borderline! To sum up my Mother briefly, she liked to cause trouble by exagerating or out right lying and watching us battle. She then would eventually jump in and become the hero instead of the instigator. She would cause problems and make herself the vicitm. She does not believe in counceling, she thinks anyone who goes is crazy. Although she suggested it for my nieces and then said it was a waste of time. She contradics (sp) herself like that. She can be nice one minute and then all of a sudden she is insulting you and she is the master of munipulation! She has a way of making you feel like you are to blame when you infact have been wronged by her. I knew there was such a thing as physical abuse but it wasn't until I went to counceling that I learned about mental and emotional abuse. Over half of my siblings, including myself, are in counceling.

you should look on the personality disorders board, you will find a lot of info.
there are a lot of good books, one of them is called "I Hate You-Don't leave me", another one which is more for people dealing someone with BPD is called Stop Walking on Eggshells - taking your life back when someone you love has borderline personality disorder.
I encourage you to read as much as you can.