Post by ashliy on Dec 28, 2016 22:39:00 GMT
Splitting - Idealization and Devaluation
Definition:
Splitting - The practice of regarding people and situations as either completely "good" or completely "bad".
No Middle Ground
Splitting is described in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic & Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) as “A pattern of unstable and intense interpersonal relationships characterized by alternating between extremes of idealization and devaluation.”
People who are regarded as being “all good” are sometimes referred to as being “split white” or “painted white”. People who are regarded as being “all bad” are sometimes referred to as being “split black” or “painted black”.
When a person or a group of people is “split white” by a person with a Personality Disorder, they may just as suddenly be “split black” (and vice versa). Because there is no middle ground – no shades of grey – it’s an either/or proposition. For the targets, this can be confusing and upsetting.
Consequently, there is usually some justification presented by the person with the Personality Disorder for their actions, decisions or sudden changes of heart but their logic is frequently flawed, contradictory or incomplete
What it Looks Like
A woman praises her husband as a wonderful husband and father in public but accuses him of abuse later the same day.
A mother habitually tells her daughter she is “useless” or “worthless” but when she gets a good grade at school gushes: “We are all so proud of you!”
A friendly co-worker or neighbor suddenly, without warning, begins giving you the cold shoulder.
A person persistently moves on from one social group to another, praising each group at first before becoming harshly critical.
Splitting is an example of Dissociation - or “Feelings Create Facts” - where a Personality Disordered person’s feelings take priority over what the facts actually tell them. If they experience a mood swing and suddenly feel good or bad about a particular person or situation, they can instantly modify their opinions, memories or attitudes to be consistent those feelings, regardless of any apparent contradictions.
outofthefog.website/top-100-trait-blog/2015/11/4/splitting-idealization-and-devaluation