The Borderline and Separation.

Separation from parents,

particularly during the first few years of life,

are common in the borderline biography.

On the surface,

these separations may appear insignificant,

yet they have profound effects.

For example,

the birth of a sibling takes a mother away from her normal activities for a few weeks,

but when she returns,

she is no longer as responsive to the older child-

mother has disappeared and has been replaced by someone who will always be different,

one who now has mothering duties with a younger sibling.

For the healthy child in a healthy environment,

this trauma is easily overcome,

but for the borderline in a borderline setting it may be one of a series of losses and perceived abandonments.

Extended illnesses,

frequent travels,

divorce,

or the death of a parent also deprive the developing infant of consistent mothering at crucial times,

which may interfere with his abilities to develop trust and constancy in his unstable and unreliable world.

#BPD