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It is a pleasure for me to discuss Arnold Mitchell's paper, “Self Structuring of the Borderline Personality” (see p. 106). He and I have had numerous discussions about the nature of our work, its similarities and differences. My perspective in discussing Dr. Mitchell's paper will be from a self psychological/intersubjective perspective. That is, I will draw from the work of Kohut, Atwood, Brandchaft, Lachmann, Stolorow, Ulman, and myself.
In reading through Mitchell's paper the first time, I often found myself saying, yes, yes—I agree with that. In fact there are numerous points of consensus between us. However, as I came to understand the central theme of Mitchell's paper, that the borderline is organized around disorder, or, as he states, that the borderline builds a sense of unity around disorder and chaos, I realized that he and I are taking different paths to understanding the need for self cohesion and maintenance of the self representation for the borderline patient.
Mitchell says that as one lives within a consistent pattern of behavior, a sense of unity will be fostered, even if the resultant activities are ultimately selfdefeating, even if one hates oneself for being this way. From a self psychological perspective I can agree with this formulation. However, an understanding of how the borderline finds him or herself in this position, what prevents one from reaching beyond it, and the nature of treatment are different from a self psychological/intersubjective perspective.
I will direct my comments principally to two different areas. First, I will discuss Dr. Mitchell's central idea that the borderline is organized around disorder, that disorganization and chaos are his conduits for dealing with the world. I do not agree that the borderline organizes around chaos and confusion per se in a purposeful way, but that the confusion and chaos are the result, are secondary to the inability of the borderline to find and maintain