A. We can answer that in two ways: from the perspective of its original causes and also in terms of what causes it to continue in current life functioning.

Originally, given a highly sensitive child, certain childhood, family and peer experiences forced a burying or hiding of one's Private Self (real, emotional self) because these were experiences of shame, self-blame, criticism, negative self-judgment, perceived or real unacceptance, rejection, not belonging, not feeling loved, wanted or respected. A type of splitting took place. A separating of the person's Public (outward, social) and Private Selves (inward, emotional).

To some extent all people make this split. But the DP's is more exaggerated because the DP's Private Self becomes more hidden, troubled and inaccessible than the usual splitting that takes place for everyone. There is little integration or flow between the two. He therefore, learns to live on the surface of life, with a somewhat superficial emotional lifestyle, receiving some reward and acceptance for what he does and the roles he enacts in society (Public Self), which keep him functional. But underneath (Private Self) he often feels emotionally undermined, for nothing is really touching him deeply, vitally, personally, emotionally, permanently. He is always hungry for deeper, real contact with life and people. As a result there is a sadness, a grief, a painful emptiness within.

........But why does it continue to operate? What reenforces it to continue. Largely because you continue to be troubled by the same emotions or feelings which caused the exaggerated splitting. I call these the "fifteen needles". We will be examining them beginning on Day 14 of the program.

1. The characteristics of the DP are important to examine because they are the background and set-up for the addiction cycle. Given the explanation above for the development of the DP, can you elaborate personally how you may have developed some of the DP characteristics as a result of your childhood experiences with your parents, family and peers? Can you recognize the "splitting" I've spoken about, in yourself?