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What is DID? (a thread) /srs
This is a thread to educate you guys about dissociative identity disorder (DID), especially with what's going on in the DSMP
RTs are appreciated so more people can learn about this.
This is a thread to educate you guys about dissociative identity disorder (DID), especially with what's going on in the DSMP
RTs are appreciated so more people can learn about this.
DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT DIAGNOSED WITH DID NOR AM SELFDIAGNOSED. I simply research a lot when it comes to mental disorders and I had the chance to learn a lot about DID from systems I have befriended in the past.
Also cw//mentions of trauma (not specified)
Also cw//mentions of trauma (not specified)
DID is a coping mechanism your brain develops. When exposed to extreme and repetitive trauma during childhood before your personality is fully developed, your brain divides and creates "alters" and uses this alongside dissociation and short term amnesia in order to cope.
When extreme repetitive trauma takes place during childhood BEFORE your personality is developed, your brain thinks of this as something you could not possibly live with in the future. Long story short, DID keeps you safe from reliving your trauma.
I really need to clarify that terms like "multiple personality disorder" and "split personalities" are NOT appropriate when talking about DID. DID was referred to as multiple personality disorder years ago and that term is no longer used. Please avoid using them to avoid harm.
Before going any further I will define some common terms used when talking about DID.
Alters are like entities. Alters do NOT equal to personality. Personality is something completely different. Each and every alter are their own selves; they have their own age, name, gender, species, likes, personality, looks, and many other characteristics.
Alters are not limited to be human only, they can be any other species (fantastic species or not) and also be an inanimate object.
A system is a term used to refer to a group of alters in a single body.
Fronting is a term used when an alter is "leading" the body; when an alter is in reality to put it simply.
The process from switching/changing from one alter to another is known as "switching".
Fronting is a term used when an alter is "leading" the body; when an alter is in reality to put it simply.
The process from switching/changing from one alter to another is known as "switching".
The headspace is know as the "world" inside the body. Each system has a different headspace and they don't always have an actual image of what's it like. This is very complex to explain since I myself can't describe what a headspace can be like since I do not have DID.
Now, going back to alters, each and every alter has a role and a function in the system. I'm not going to name them all because this might get too long but I greatly encourage you to make more research if you wish to learn more about DID.
Alters are usually divided into 2 groups, Apparently Normal Parts (ANPs) and Emotional Parts (EPs).
ANPs are usually the ones that can take almost any knowledge since they don't hold much memory to their trauma and can generally function well. ANPs can be usually unconnected to-
ANPs are usually the ones that can take almost any knowledge since they don't hold much memory to their trauma and can generally function well. ANPs can be usually unconnected to-
-emotional trauma but this is not always the case. This does NOT MEAN ANPs don't have any emotions.
ANPs can also be emotional.
EPs hold memories of trauma. They can be unaware of the time passing and can live in trauma space.
ANPs can also be emotional.
EPs hold memories of trauma. They can be unaware of the time passing and can live in trauma space.
Now here are some roles that alters can have:
PLEASE remember that alters are not only entitled to serve their functions. They have feelings and can and are allowed to be emotional as well.
PLEASE remember that alters are not only entitled to serve their functions. They have feelings and can and are allowed to be emotional as well.
Host: The host is not the "owner" of the body, they are simply the alter that front the body the most.
Protector: They protect and take care of the body (physically and/or emotionally) when needed. They have their own defensive mechanisms.
Protector: They protect and take care of the body (physically and/or emotionally) when needed. They have their own defensive mechanisms.
Persecutors: Persecutors are often greatly misinterpreted. They can be redeemed and they are not always "bad". If you refer to them as the "evil" or "crazy" alter it could backlash and harm your or another system. This is where all the misconception about DID comes from, thinking
that someone with DID can and will hurt you. This is NOT the case. Persecutors can appear aggressive but that is a form to protect themselves or the body. They might harm the body and abuse themselves but they don't have ill intent. Anyone feel free to say more about persecutors.
Your way of dealing with your trauma doesn't make you a bad person.
Introjects: They are an exact or similar copy of an abuser. They believe they are the abuser. This is very hard to deal with because the body could have escaped physically from the abuse but now they have to-
Introjects: They are an exact or similar copy of an abuser. They believe they are the abuser. This is very hard to deal with because the body could have escaped physically from the abuse but now they have to-
-deal with it internally. They can harm the body and the system, HOWEVER like persecutors, they can be changed through psychotherapy. It just takes a lot of time and effort.
Gatekeeper: They don't necessarily front as much but they help keeping alters (usually littles and trauma holders) from fronting by accident and/or being exposed to any kind of harm. They help keep these alters safe.
Child/Littles: They are child alters. Many systems are overly protective of their littles to keep them safe because they are literally kids. Some littles can hold memory of trauma. Systems can't expose their littles to the out world because they need them to live the childhood-
-they couldn't possibly have. Do NOT EVER, ABSOLUTELY EVER use littles to take advantage of systems. This is absolutely cruel to do and I do not stand by it.
Now that you know a bit more about DID, REMEMBER, people with DID are not monsters, they will not kill you, they will not abuse you. They are simply trying to live their lives after being traumatized.
Anyone with DID that wants me to add something to the thread, feel free to do so and I will add it. If you wish to learn more about DID I can recommend watching DissociaDID videos on YouTube. They are a system and make educational videos about DID. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6kFD5xIFvWyLlytv5pTR1w
