Complementary identification in schizophrenia

Children with schizophrenia turn away from the outside world at an early age because they cannot decode the rhythmic patterns in their parents' voices. These children are unable to separate themselves from their parents as they grow up, and as a result, are unable to develop a sense of self. The schizophrenic child develops complementary behavior to counterbalance the parent's attitudes--that is, if a father acts in a dominant fashion 90% of the time, the child will be submissive in 90% of his/her interpersonal relationships. By working with separation techniques, the nurse therapist can help the client develop a more normalized self-view.