Borderline personality disorder is considered one of the most complex disorders known to psychologists today. From constant misdiagnosis to therapists turning down patients, BPD is highly stigmatized and misunderstood in society as well as the mental health community alike. BPD can be considered an umbrella for a variety of different segments and mental illnesses that hinders a diagnosed individual from going about their lives normally . Though BPD patients must adapt, it is important for those around them to understand these elements and work with the individual accordingly.
Splitting is just one of the many difficulties BPD patients must learn to cope with – but what is it? According to Healthline, “to split something means to divide it. Those with BPD tend to characterize themselves, other people, and situations in black and white. In other words, they may suddenly characterize people, objects, beliefs, or situations as either all good or all bad,” hence the alternate term for splitting being “black and white thinking” – meaning one or the other, or simply all or nothing.
What are the Effects of Splitting?
Splitting can interfere with relationships and lead to intense and self-destructive behaviors. A person who splits will typically frame people or events in terms that are absolute with no middle ground for discussion. What makes splitting all the more confusing is that the belief can sometimes shift back and forth from one moment to the next due to the intensity of mood swings that BPD patients commonly experience.
BPD patients who experience splitting are often seen to be overly dramatic or overreactive in day-to-day situations, especially when making declarations and assumptions about a particular person or event when, in reality, it may not be as such. Such behavior can be exhausting to those around them, hence the stigmatization of the disorder as well as the instability within relationships that BPD patients face.
Management and Care
Unfortunately, there is no straight-forward or simple answer on how to deal with a loved one who experiences splitting in BPD – as well as other symptoms of the disorder that could be affecting them due to the intensity of the disorder itself. Although, how you cope highly relies on the nature of your relationship with the individual, and there are certain guidelines that can help you go about this.
Begin by reminding yourself that splitting is part of the disorder – it is not something that the individual is purposely doing nor do they have malicious intentions that can be perceived as manipulative, but instead, these are simply defense mechanisms they turn to whenever they feel defenseless. You may also encourage this loved one to seek help or treatment while maintaining lines of communication, setting clear and concise boundaries, as well as showing emotional support through these means.
If you are experiencing splitting or other symptoms of BPD, it may be beneficial to seek help from a psychiatrist.