Overview
The article explains "splitting" in borderline personality disorder (BPD), detailing its meaning, causes, symptoms, effects on relationships, duration, and management strategies, including effective therapies.
What Is Splitting in BPD?
- Splitting is a thinking pattern where people with BPD view others or themselves as all good or all bad, with little nuance.
- It occurs unconsciously and can cause rapid shifts in perceptions and intense emotions.
- Splitting is a defense mechanism, not exclusive to BPD, but more pervasive for those with the disorder.
- Idealization (overly positive) and devaluation (overly negative) occur and can alternate quickly.
Symptoms and Signs of Splitting
- Idealizing someone one moment, then calling them abusive or toxic later.
- Seeing no nuance in others’ actions or relationships.
- Cutting off people, then feeling abandoned.
- Experiencing chaotic or unstable relationships and intense, rapidly changing feelings.
Examples of Splitting
- Telling a romantic partner to leave, then begging them to stay.
- Viewing a person’s actions as entirely good or bad.
- Rapid emotional shifts towards oneself or others based on circumstances.
Duration and Causes
- No set duration—splitting episodes may last moments or a long time and can recur daily.
- Causes of BPD include childhood trauma, invalidating early environments, and genetic factors.
Management and Prevention Strategies
- Gaining perspective by considering alternative, more moderate explanations for behavior.
- Practicing naming varied traits in others and using more accurate language.
- Cultivating empathy for why people act as they do.
- Keeping a journal to track emotions and triggers for splitting.
Treatment Approaches
- No FDA-approved medication specifically for BPD, but medication may help with symptoms.
- Psychotherapy is the primary treatment, with effective types including:
- Mentalizing-based therapy to increase understanding and empathy.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) for mindfulness and emotion regulation.
- Transference-focused psychotherapy to address problematic emotions through the therapist-client relationship.
- Seeking professional help is recommended for frequent splitting, intense emotional struggles, unstable relationships, or thoughts of self-harm.
Recommendations / Advice
- Question extreme assessments of others and consider alternative explanations.
- Engage with a psychotherapist to address and reduce splitting behaviors.
- Early therapeutic intervention can improve relationship stability and emotional well-being.