"Like a child emotionally, the borderline cannot tolerate human inconsistences and ambiguities: he cannot reconcile another good and bad qualities into a constant coherent understanding of the person This type of behavior, is called splitting, is the primary defense mechanism employed by the borderline Splitting creates an escape hatch form anxiety." (Kreisman, MD & Straus, 1991, p. 41) Some feel that this splitting evolves when a child emotionally tries to deal with pain of being subjected to child abuse. I think it is like the only bad or evil side of the parent abuses them, leaving a good or pure part of the parent that the child can still love with hopes of being loved back. Another example of splitting is when the person feels separated from themselves and from their life, like if they are viewing it on TV. Splitting also describes the feeling the survivor has when they separate their consciousness from their body, or leaves their body." (McClendon, 1999, p. 1) Princess Diana was once quoted as saying, "I always felt very different from everyone else, very detached I couldn't even talk about it but in my mind it was there I felt I was in the wrong shell." (Kreisman & Straus, 1991, p. 41) One article has a good explanation of how or why this splitting occurs. "Unable to remove herself physically from the abuse, the creative child victim finds other ways to leave. Frequently this leaving takes the form of separation from the self or depersonalization." (McClendon, 1999, p. 1).
Causes.
(Nature vs. Nurture).
With all mood and personality disorder the question is raised, what are the possible causes? This question will often start a debate as to "nature vs. nurture." Within the tow categories of nature and nurture are subcategories including: Biochemical imbalances, neurological factors, genetics, as well as, environmental factors: dysfunctional families, developmental theories, child abuse and pressures brought on by society.
