Separation crisis in a family with a borderline adolescent

The case discussed illustrates the crisis value of separation strivings in borderline families. Dynamic and interpersonal issues were approached from a focus on (a) patterns of projective identification; (b) parental definitions interfering with the child's ego structure formation; and (c) the deterioration of a borderline personality toward frankly schizophrenic functioning under the double pressure of the developmental task of separation and binding parental maneuvers.