Would this be how the splitting in BPD forms? I’ve had periods of believing I was in fact a genius (it’s not true) or believing I’m the dumbest human ever. The parts have been coming together slowly through years of therapy but realizing I received mixed messages is new. Mom used the exact phrase “you’re a genius.” She definitely has said this when I said I felt stupid but probably other times too. Then, if I was too slow or too clumsy she’d yell at me. She’d ridicule me if I spelled a word wrong. Really I could never do anything right in her eyes when I was younger. I’ve been wondering if there are other examples of mixed messages in my past that helped the BPD develop, but I haven’t thought of any yet.