The Splits in our Mind and in our World

Splitting, also called all-or-nothing thinking, is the failure to bring together the positive and negative qualities into a cohesive whole,  whether they belong to ourselves, another person, or a situation in the world. Instead, we see the extreme: the division into “all good” or “all bad.”

Underlying the splitting mechanism is the mind’s tendency to simplify to find quick and easy solutions. B contrast, living with uncertainty, a condition we humans find very difficult, increases anxiety.

However, over-utilized, this defense can interfere with daily functioning. Rapid shifts in perceptions lead to erratic behavior that is described as a feature of borderline personality disorder.

At the outset of psychotherapy, Mr. M. spoke about his son in glowing terms. Some time later, his viewpoint shifted to the opposite position, and he began to treat his son disrespectfully.

Splitting begins early In life when the infant isn’t yet able to integrate the aspects of the parents who both gratify (good) and frustrate (bad).  Developmental factors in the environment perpetuate the use of this less-than-ideal defense that blocks out the subtleties and fails to integrate the various positions. For example, parents (or care-takers) split and pass down the tendency to their children. Labeling (as discussed in last week’s blog) is a superficial manifestation of splitting. For example, one child in the family is tagged as the “brain,” while a sibling is “the beauty.” A more accurate, although less dramatic perception is to view the child with his own unique intelligence and attractiveness.

Ted Cruz, senator of Texas employs this rabble-rousing technique in bashing other members of the Republican party and the government in general. Reporters describe his appeal as pleasing the crowd by “feeding them red meat.”

By contrast, communist Cuba has resolved competing philosophies by incorporating private enterprise and thereby lessening the divide between communism and capitalism. This example supports that the integration of opposites often improves functioning.

The split between psychotherapist and patient isn’t as wide as it seems, either. Similar to the patient, the therapist must participate in the process of self-discovery and self-observation, which in turn, supports the therapeutic relationship.

Each of us uses splitting as a defense at times, and we benefit from recognizing that this mechanism can interfere with the integrity of our minds and our world.

Conclusion: Recognizing the limitations of “splitting” as a defense mechanism can benefit us and our world.

Dear Reader, I welcome your opinions.

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