From the author: The article describes one of the diagnostic signs of traumatic splitting of the psyche. It will be useful both to specialists interested in trauma therapy and to a wide range of readers. Ambivalence (from Lat. ambo - “both” and Lat. valentia - “strength”) - duality (splitting) of an attitude towards something, in particular - duality of experience, expressed in the fact that the same object evokes in a person at the same time two opposite feelings. Listen to the dialogue: - I really want to buy this dress, it’s so cool, it fits me perfectly! - But this month my expenses are already greater than my income, so the dress is not included in my plans. - Damn, it’s always like this. As soon as you want something worthwhile, more important expenses immediately appear. This color suits me so much! Or maybe borrow money? We only live once! - We borrow from others and give back ours. You already have ten dresses hanging in your closet. Summer in Siberia is short, when will you wear it? This could be a dialogue between two people, or it could be an “internal dialogue” in which one voice strives for an object and the other stops it, one is emotional and the other is rational. Ambivalence can be expressed in contradictory emotions to another person, whom the subject simultaneously accepts and rejects, loves and hates, wants to get closer to and is afraid of. There is also motivational ambivalence, which is expressed in an eternal oscillation between two opposing decisions. Often this leads to the fact that a person is unable to choose one decision, and as a result he refuses to make a decision at all. This is how the description of the state of ambivalence sounds in the speech of clients: “I want to implement the idea, and I’m afraid at the same time, so I don’t do anything”; “I feel passion for this man and want to be with him, but I understand in my head that I shouldn’t go into this relationship, since he is married, and nothing good will come of it.” Listen to your internal dialogues. Sound familiar? Ambivalence is a sure sign of traumatic splitting of the psyche. In this case, the “fault” of dissociation passes between two main systems of actions, one of which is responsible for approaching attractive and necessary stimuli for life, and the other is associated with moving away from repulsive stimuli, for example, various kinds of dangers. With the help of these systems, we can differentiate between what is beneficial and what is harmful and create behavior that allows us to better adapt to the circumstances that life offers. Normally, these systems are activated alternately, we either approach or move away. But if for a long time the same person was both an attractive object of affection and at the same time dangerous, wounding, then such circumstances required the activation of both systems of action at the same time, which ultimately led to a splitting of the psyche. Do you want to get to know the characters conducting your internal dialogues better? ? I invite you to a consultation! Let me remind you that I specialize in trauma therapy using the method of working with dissociated parts. I provide consultations in person in Novosibirsk and via Skype. You can make an appointment for a consultation by calling 89628250495. If what I am writing resonates with you, come to our women’s group. We start on September 21, 2023 in person in Novosibirsk. Details: https://www.b17.ru/training.php?id=90096&prt=398879