The Narcissist's Split Off Ego - Narcissist Self

Written by Sam Vaknin

Is the reintroduction of split-off material in any way helpful? Is it likely to lead to an integrated Ego (or self)?

To ask this is to confuse two issues. With the exception of schizophrenics and some types of psychotics, the Ego (or self) is always integrated. That a person cannot integrate the images of others (libidinal or non-libidinal objects) does not mean that he has a non-integrated or a disintegrative Ego. These are two separate matters. The inability to integrate the world (as is the case in the Borderline or in the Narcissistic Personality Disorders) relates to the choice of defence mechanisms. It is a secondary layer: the issue here is not what is the state of the self (integrated or not) but what is the state of our perception of the self. Thus, from the theoretical point of view, the reintroduction of split-off material will do nothing to "improve" the level of integration of the Ego. This is especially true if we adopt the Freudian concept of the Ego as inclusive of all split-off material. The question then is reduced to the following: will the transfer of the split-off material from one part of the Ego (the unconscious) to another (the conscious) in any way affect the integration of the Ego?

The encounter with split-off, repressed material is still an important part of many psychodynamic therapies. It has been shown to reduce anxiety, cure conversion symptoms and, generally, have a beneficial and therapeutic effect on the individual. Yet, this has nothing to do with integration. It has to do with conflict resolution. That various parts of the personality are in constant conflict is a principle integral to all psychodynamic theories. Bringing up split-off material to our consciousness reduces the scope or the intensity of these conflicts. This is achieved simply by definition: split-off material brought to consciousness is no longer split-off material and, therefore, can no longer participate in the "war" raging in the unconscious.

But is it always recommended? Not in my view.Consider personality disorders (see again my: The Stripped Ego).

Personality disorders are adaptive solutions in the given circumstances. It is true that, as circumstances change, these "solutions" prove to be rigid straitjackets, maladaptive rather than adaptive. But the patient has no coping substitutes available. No therapy can provide him with such a substitutes because the whole personality is affected by the ensuing pathology, not just an aspect or an element of it.

Bringing up split-off material may constrain or even eliminate the patient's personality disorder. And then what? How is the patient supposed to cope with the world then, a world that has suddenly reverted to being hostile, abandoning, capricious, whimsical, cruel and devouring just like it was in his infancy, before he stumbled across the magic of splitting?

next: The Serious Narcissist