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System experience is incredibly varied.
Conceptualizing the lived experience of being 'more than one' is also diverse - there are a lot of different frameworks people use to talk about their multiplicity!
A thread.
#didosdd #dissociativeidentitydisorder
Conceptualizing the lived experience of being 'more than one' is also diverse - there are a lot of different frameworks people use to talk about their multiplicity!
A thread.
#didosdd #dissociativeidentitydisorder
While most of us are familiar with “people vs parts,” this is far from where it ends - so let’s talk about some of our community diversity.
Here are some frameworks systems may use:
Here are some frameworks systems may use:
People / Individuals - Some systems view themselves as a group of people or individuals working together.
Parts - Some systems view themselves as parts of a whole or parts of a person.
Parts - Some systems view themselves as parts of a whole or parts of a person.
Modes - Some systems may understand their experience as having different modes or overarching frameworks of interacting with the world.
Dissociated States - Some systems understand their experience as dissociated states of one person.
Dissociated States - Some systems understand their experience as dissociated states of one person.
Personalities/Identities - Some systems may view their experience as having many personalities or identities that switch.
Selves - Some systems may see themselves as many selves at different ages or with separate experiences.
Selves - Some systems may see themselves as many selves at different ages or with separate experiences.
Systems may combine frameworks, view themselves as in-between common conceptualizations, or change frameworks over the course of their lifetime.
Some may use frameworks not listed in this post - after all, we haven’t met every system out there!
Some may use frameworks not listed in this post - after all, we haven’t met every system out there!
With all these different frameworks and experiences, language is also diverse.
Systems may call themselves collectives, groups, clusters, or families.
System members may call themselves alters, headmates, systemmates, parts, insiders, entities, fragments, selves, or people.
Systems may call themselves collectives, groups, clusters, or families.
System members may call themselves alters, headmates, systemmates, parts, insiders, entities, fragments, selves, or people.
Within one system, different system members may conceptualize their experience in different ways, or prefer to use different language from each other.
We've noticed that this community can be very focused on common experiences or using uniform language. Many of those we've met who use un-common language frameworks are those who are less connected with the community, or are older and aren't as in touch with internet communities.
Each and every way of conceptualizing DID/OSDD experience deserves respect.
There's no "superior" framework - different systems have different needs and experiences, and shouldn’t be forced into a box that they don’t feel comfortable within.
There's no "superior" framework - different systems have different needs and experiences, and shouldn’t be forced into a box that they don’t feel comfortable within.
It is not anyone's place to say that certain conceptualizations of experience are wrong or harmful - that is between systems and their therapists.
Respecting someone's conceptualization of systemhood looks like:
• Using their preferred language
• Asking whether or not system members want to be addressed individually or collectively
• Respecting plural or singular language use
• Using their preferred language
• Asking whether or not system members want to be addressed individually or collectively
• Respecting plural or singular language use
You are valid if you conceptualize system experience differently from those around you.
Our community's diversity is what makes us strong.
Our community's diversity is what makes us strong.
