Splitting and Projective Identification among Healthier Individuals

Abstract

This paper illustrates splitting and projective identification among people with normal and neurotic personality organizations. Adding these concepts to the repertoire of analytically oriented psychotherapists does not replace previous theories but adds to them. This approach can be integrated with drive theory and ego psychology in practice, or can be used to supplement the approaches of cognitive or interpersonal therapists. Not only borderline patients, but all of us, continually need to define and re-define ourselves in relation to others as we grow and change. The concepts of splitting and projective identification can help when that growth process becomes stymied.

Physicians’ “compliance with treatment” in the context of consultation-liaison psychiatry: The role of “triangle” relationships and projective identification

“…Projective identification develops not only in psychiatric patients, but also among people with normal and neurotic personality organizations (Hamilton 1996). As Hamilton (1996) said: “all of us, continually need to define and redefine ourselves in relation to others as we grow and change”.…”

“…As Hamilton (1996) said: “all of us, continually need to define and redefine ourselves in relation to others as we grow and change”. Thus, the cooperation of clinicians of other specialties is critical in the implementation of therapeutic alliances in order to early acknowledge projective identification and to diffuse this dynamic which, if left unchecked, can disrupt professional relationships and compromise the treatment of patients (Robertson et al 1996).…”