What is Self-Activation?
Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
James F. Masterson, a pioneering figure in the field of psychoanalysis and personality disorders, introduced the concept of self-activation as a critical component in understanding and treating personality disorders, particularly Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).
As a marriage and family therapist, it’s helpful to grasp Masterson’s ideas on self-activation to effectively support clients struggling on the continuum of these complex conditions.
What is Self-Activation?
Self-activation, according to Masterson, refers to the ability of an individual to recognize, pursue, and achieve personal goals and desires autonomously.
It involves the capacity to engage in behaviors that are self-fulfilling and align with one’s true self, independent of external validation or approval.
In healthy development, self-activation leads to a coherent and stable sense of identity.
The Importance of Self-Activation in Personality Disorders
Masterson posited that folks with personality disorders often experience profound difficulties with self-activation.
This struggle is rooted in early developmental disruptions, particularly in the attachment relationship with primary caregivers.
When these early attachments are characterized by inconsistency, neglect, or emotional unavailability, humans may fail to develop a stable, autonomous self. Instead, they may become excessively dependent on external validation and approval, leading to what Masterson termed the "false self."
Self-Activation and the False Self
The concept of the "false self" is central to Masterson’s theories.
The false self emerges as a protective mechanism in response to a caregiver’s conditional love and acceptance.
To maintain the caregiver's approval, the child suppresses their true feelings, desires, and needs, adopting behaviors and attitudes that are externally dictated. This leads to a fragmented self-concept, where the individual is disconnected from their authentic self.
For individuals with BPD or NPD, self-activation can trigger intense anxiety and feelings of abandonment or rejection.
This is because self-activation represents a threat to the false self that they have relied on for their sense of worth and identity.
Consequently, they may experience what Masterson described as the "abandonment depression" — a profound sense of despair and emptiness triggered by the perceived loss of external validation.
Therapeutic approaches to foster Self-Activation
As a marriage and family therapist, facilitating the process of self-activation in clients with personality disorders involves several key therapeutic strategies:
Building a Safe Therapeutic Alliance: A secure and trusting therapeutic relationship is paramount. This provides a safe space for clients to explore their true feelings, desires, and fears without the risk of rejection or judgment.
Encouraging Authentic Expression: Therapists must encourage clients to express their true selves. This includes identifying and validating their authentic thoughts, emotions, and desires, helping them differentiate these from the behaviors and attitudes of the false self.
Addressing Abandonment Depression: Helping clients recognize and work through their abandonment depression is crucial. This involves validating their feelings of loss and emptiness and exploring the roots of these emotions in their early attachment experiences.
Gradual Exposure to Self-Activation: Supporting clients in gradually engaging in self-activating behaviors can help reduce the anxiety associated with this process. This might involve setting small, achievable goals that align with their true desires and values and gradually increasing the complexity of these goals as their confidence grows.
Promoting Autonomy and Self-Efficacy: Empowering clients to take ownership of their decisions and actions fosters a sense of autonomy and self-efficacy. This involves reinforcing their successes and helping them learn from setbacks constructively.
Final thoughts
Masterson’s ideas on self-activation provide a vital framework for understanding and treating personality disorders within the context of marriage and family therapy.
We all require a coherent and stable sense of self; therapists can help clients move beyond the constraints of their false selves and towards a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Therapists can support clients in reclaiming their true selves and achieving greater autonomy and self-fulfillment through a secure therapeutic alliance, encouragement of authentic expression, and gradual exposure to self-activating behaviors.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Kreisman, J. J., & Straus, H. (2010). I Hate You--Don't Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality. Penguin Books.
Masterson, J. F. (1976). Psychotherapy of the Borderline Adult: A Developmental Approach. Brunner/Mazel.
Masterson, J. F. (1981). The Narcissistic and Borderline Disorders: An Integrated Developmental Approach. Routledge.
Masterson, J. F., & Klein, R. (1995). Psychotherapy of the Disorders of the Self: The Masterson Approach. Brunner-Routledge.
Masterson, J. F., & Rinsley, D. B. (1975). The treatment of the borderline patient: Utilizing the patient's transitional capacity. International Journal of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, 4(2), 27-54.
