Splitting

Splitting
Other names	All-or-nothing thinking, black-and-white thinking
Specialty	Psychiatry
Symptoms	Viewing people or situations as all good or all bad
Complications	Interpersonal conflicts, emotional instability
Usual onset	Childhood or adolescence
Duration	Chronic
Causes	Psychological defense mechanism
Risk factors	Borderline personality disorder, narcissistic personality disorder
Treatment	Psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy
Prognosis	Varies
Frequency	Common in certain personality disorders

Splitting is a psychological defense mechanism that involves viewing people, events, or situations in all-or-nothing terms. It is characterized by an inability to integrate positive and negative aspects of oneself or others into a cohesive whole. This cognitive distortion is often seen in individuals with certain personality disorders, particularly borderline personality disorder (BPD) and narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

Overview

Splitting is a common defense mechanism that serves to protect the individual from anxiety and emotional distress. By categorizing experiences into extremes, individuals can avoid the complexity and ambiguity of reality. However, this can lead to significant interpersonal difficulties and emotional instability.

Characteristics

Individuals who engage in splitting may:

• View others as either "all good" or "all bad," with no middle ground.
• Experience rapid shifts in their perception of others, often idealizing someone one moment and devaluing them the next.
• Struggle with maintaining stable relationships due to their fluctuating perceptions.
• Exhibit emotional volatility and impulsivity.

Causes

Splitting is thought to arise from early developmental experiences where the individual was unable to integrate conflicting feelings about caregivers. It is a way to cope with the anxiety of holding contradictory emotions simultaneously.

Associated Disorders

Splitting is most commonly associated with:

• Borderline personality disorder: Individuals with BPD often experience intense emotions and unstable relationships, partly due to splitting.
• Narcissistic personality disorder: Splitting can manifest as idealization and devaluation of others, contributing to interpersonal conflicts.

Treatment

Treatment for splitting typically involves psychotherapy, with a focus on helping the individual develop more integrated and nuanced views of themselves and others. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are commonly used approaches.

Prognosis

The prognosis for individuals who engage in splitting varies. With appropriate treatment, many individuals can learn to manage their symptoms and improve their interpersonal relationships.

Also see

• Defense mechanism
• Borderline personality disorder
• Narcissistic personality disorder
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy