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DID Terms and Information

A.N. : I did some extensive research to find additional information. If any of this information is wrong, or if systems/ communities out there would like to correct me, please do. I would much rather correct mistakes and help people understand DID than give false information about a disorder that already receives plenty of stigma and misinformation.

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Alter : A dissociated part with their own age, gender, sexuality, perceived looks, perceived race, perceived species, wants, desires, needs, opinions, memories, skills, personality etc. They are a whole identity and cannot be mistaken as being the same as the Core, nor can they be forced to meld together with the Core.

Not every alter has to be the same gender or age as the Core, nor do they have to be the same race or even species.

Creation : Alter identities are created to manage either overwhelming trauma or changes in everyday life that cannot be managed by any of the existing identities.

Some people with DID can indicate when and during which event certain Alters were created. Creation of Alters is influenced by the child's beliefs and their culture.

Additional Alters may be created into adulthood if the person already has complex DID. F.e. An Alter created to deal with sexual abuse may be unable to manage if the abuse persists or intensifies and thus, requires another Alter to be formed.

Sadly enough, organized perpetrators may intentionally create Alters and train them to do specific jobs. If the presented Alter is not to their liking or unable to comply with the "job", the abusers will continue until eventually an Alter that agrees for their ensured survival, is created.

Fronting : When a single Alter is currently in charge. This Alter controls the body, actions and what they want to do. However, this doesn't mean that only the Alter is present, but that their emotions and thoughts are currently the strongest in the forefront of the mind's shared awareness.

Co-consciousness : Also known as Co-con. When two or more Alters are aware of each other's presence and what is currently happening. While one Alter is in charge, multiple others may be watching and listening in. Comparable to all of them being in the same car and one chooses where to drive to.

Co-fronting/ Co-hosting : When two or more Alters are out and inhabiting the body at the same time. This may be a jarring experience for the Alters if they are new to the sensation.

They feel a sense of sharing space and each Alter may control a different thing. For example, one Alter may be cooking as that is their field of expertise while a different Alter is speaking to and consoling a person. This may end by one of the Alters peacefully backing off, or both leaving to make place for someone else.

Dissociative amnesia : The inability to remember something about oneself. This is usually about a traumatic memory, or memories, that has been locked away in the shape of an Alter.

People with DID may initially not even know their Alters exist. Often they will encounter a blockage in their memory, time skips where they cannot remember how they got home, where they are or even who they may be.

This can happen to both the Core and the Alters. Alters may not realize that they are an Alter, may even be stuck in their traumatic memory.

Switching Triggers : There are multiple triggers that may cause the host or an Alter to switch between Alters. These triggers may include stress, memories, strong emotions, sensations, alcohol- and substance use, special events or specific situations.

Relationships : People can be in a relationship with one or multiple Alters of the System. Depending on the Alters of the person with DID, this relationship can evolve from romantic, friendly to purely platonic/familial in case of a Little emerging.