Functional Splitting

Functional splitting is a temporary and very widespread emergency defensive process. It contributes to the self-withdrawal that the subject must initiate when the order of psychic and event-based realities disturbs the equilibrium of his ego and overwhelms his protective capacities. Unable to cope with the trauma, the ego divides itself into two parts: one part continues to carry out the usual functions of this agency, while the other is isolated from it. The latter contains the affective impacts of the trauma and keeps them at a distance, thereby creating efficient conditions for warding off immediate exigencies.

So it was for this patient. She had many faithful friends, but could not engage in a satisfying love life. Broken relationships were frequent. She was even astonished that she was only attracted by “good for nothings”.

From the very beginning of the consultation, the analyst found her very likeable. Then he forgot about her totally until the second interview.

When the analyst was led to tell her that what she was saying concealed deeper thoughts, her face decomposed under the pressure of mounting pain. She shut herself away in silence, a response the analyst respected. Then she tried to talk, but couldn't. The analyst suggested that she waited, that she should only say what she felt was tolerable for her and for him. Several sessions passed in silence interspersed with confused evocations referring to an old and deep wound that she had never spoken about, except to her parents, who had not known what to say to her. Gradually, bit by bit, she revealed that when she was 10 years old, she had been raped by a stranger who had threatened to kill her. Her parents took her to see a doctor, but left it at that. She did not dare speak about what had happened. In order to avoid a destructuring traumatic experience leading to moments of depersonalisation, derealisation and desymbolisation, the patient and her parents organised a common disavowal (Freud, 1927) around wha