In Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), individuals can experience intense and rapidly shifting emotions, which often include idealizing and devaluing others. These extreme shifts in perception are known as "splitting." During the idealization stage, someone with BPD may view a person they are involved with in an overly positive and almost perfect light.
If the relationship ends during the idealization stage, there is no guarantee that the person with BPD will always idealize the other person or split them black. The individual's emotional responses and perceptions can be unpredictable and may change over time or in response to different circumstances.
Here are a few possible scenarios:
Idealization Continues: In some cases, even after a relationship ends during the idealization stage, the person with BPD may continue to hold the other person in high regard and idealize them. This could be because they have difficulty processing negative emotions, and the idealization helps them cope with the loss or rejection.
Splitting: On the other hand, it's also possible that the person with BPD may shift abruptly to devaluing the other person if they feel rejected or abandoned. They might perceive the other person as all bad or responsible for the end of the relationship, leading to negative or hostile feelings towards them.
Ambivalence: Sometimes, individuals with BPD may experience a mix of idealization and devaluation towards the same person. They may feel intense love and admiration for them at times and strong anger or resentment at other times.
It's important to remember that BPD is a complex and individualized mental health condition. Not everyone with BPD will respond the same way, and their emotional responses can be influenced by various factors such as past experiences, coping mechanisms, and their overall mental health.
If you or someone you know is struggling with BPD or any other mental health issue, seeking professional help from a mental health specialist, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, is crucial. They can provide appropriate support and interventions to manage the symptoms and improve overall well-being.