Splitting is common among adolescents and young adults. People who have gone through childhood trauma also tend to use splitting as a defense mechanism. As a child, they may have been unable to reconcile the nurturing aspects with the unresponsive aspects of a caregiver.
Splitting is a defence mechanism deployed by people with BPD and other personality disorders. Its development can be linked to experiences of early life traumas, such as abuse and abandonment.
It is often seen in Highly Sensitive Persons (HSPs) who suffer from Complex PTSD or childhood trauma. Having Trauma Splitting, or Structural Dissociation, means we are split into different parts, each with a different personality, feelings, and behaviour. As a result, we feel completely different from moment to moment.
Dr Sharp explains that although the term 'splitting' is most commonly associated with BPD, it isn't exclusive to the diagnosis and can occur in people with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, OCD and PTSD among others.
Affective splitting involves separation along the positive/negative evaluation dimension, or more generally between opposites. Dissociation refers to separation ofelements along some dimension(s), includ- ing ones other than positive/negative evaluation.
Splitting is a defense mechanism, and it is not unique to BPD. People with other mental health conditions, as well as those without any underlying mental illness, may also occasionally engage in splitting.
Intrusive memories
Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event. Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks) Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event. Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Splitting is not healed by forcing someone to see your point of view or to integrate their own intolerable and/or conflicting feelings. But over time, it can be diminished in the face of a relationship that can survive in the face of these intense, distressing, and conflicted feelings.
Symptoms of BPD Splitting
Sudden mood swings: When someone is in a splitting episode, it can cause rapid and dramatic changes in mood, unstable emotions, and impulsive behavior. They might instantly become furious or thrilled, even if they felt the opposite way before.
Adults who have experienced childhood trauma often have heightened anxiety levels. They may worry excessively and have trouble managing their anxiety. Childhood trauma can lead to persistent feelings of sadness, lack of interest in activities, and difficulty experiencing pleasure.
Key points. Splitting is seen in those with depression, anxiety, PTSD, NPD, ASPD, and other disorders. Splitting is also called all-or-nothing-thinking, dichotomous thinking, and black-and-while thinking. You can learn to control your tendency to split.
BPD splitting is a symptom of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Splitting means a person is unable to hold opposing thoughts and concludes that someone or something is either entirely good or entirely bad.
How Long Does BPD Anger Last? Extreme borderline rage and rage blackouts may last longer than might be expected, from a few hours to even a few days. However, it's important to note that the severity, frequency, and duration of symptoms depend on each individual and their illness.
DID is a rare condition where you have two or more distinct personality states. The symptoms are often lifelong, but treatments can help you cope.
People with BPD also have a tendency to think in extremes, a phenomenon called "dichotomous" or “black-or-white” thinking. 3 People with BPD often struggle to see the complexity in people and situations and are unable to recognize that things are often not either perfect or horrible, but are something in between.
If you often feel as though your life has become unmanageable, this could be a sign that you have some unresolved emotional trauma. Emotional overreactions are a common symptom of trauma. A victim of trauma might redirect their overwhelming emotions towards others, such as family and friends.
A feeling of shame; an innate feeling that they are bad, worthless, or without importance. Suffering from chronic or ongoing depression. Practicing avoidance of people, places, or things that may be related to the traumatic event; this also can include an avoidance of unpleasant emotions.
There's also a lot of anecdotal evidence from other people's experiences that suggest 2-4 years is more common. So, if you want to know how long your relationships might last if you have BPD, it really does depend on the intensity of your condition.
BPD is a mental health condition characterized by unstable relationships, intense emotions, and impulsive behavior, and these challenges can make it difficult to cope with the end of a relationship. Navigating the challenges of ending a relationship can feel confusing and isolating for some individuals with BPD.
Another hallmark of borderline personality disorder is having a favorite person—usually a family member, romantic partner, or someone in a supportive role, such as a teacher or coach. For someone with this type of BPD relationship, a “favorite person” is someone they rely on for comfort, happiness, and validation.