Adventuretimefantic's longer updates

Memory as a system

Decided to write this in wake of having some memories yoinked from me. Because I feel like no one talks about memory loss outside of blackout amnesia with systems. So behold! Memory in systems explained!

Blackout amnesia (dissociative amnesia)
Full memory loss, when you have absolutely zero recollection of an event happening at all. If someone mentions the event, you'd not have a single clue it ever happened and think they're just making it up. This happens because the brain was disassociated at the time the event happened and repressed it completely. Or, if another alter was fronting and you have high amnesia barriers, they will have full memory when you don't.

Greyout amnesia (emotional amnesia)
Partial memory loss, when you are aware of an event happening but not the details/can't actually picture it. Not having recollection of the emotions, reactions you had or details. Example: you are aware you were in a car crash, maybe even remember some details like seeing the car wrecked or hearing the ambulance sirens. But not remembering the way you reacted, how you felt, how you got out of the car etc.

Triggers
Negative
When experiencing a stimulant (like a smell, sound or taste) that is linked to a trauma memory, it can trigger negative reactions. Flashbacks, panic attacks, dissociation etc. this happens in more than just plurality, it can happen in many other disorders based in trauma. This is what happens when you hear stories of people who survived shootings immediately dropping for cover as soon as they hear a banging sound. The sound triggers the memory of the shots, and they react in response to it automatically. Negative triggers can pull particular alters to the front who hold the memory and reactions to the trauma event.

Positive
When experiencing a stimulant that an alter has positive associations with, it can trigger them to the front. Hearing their favourite song, smelling something nice they associate with a good memory etc. it's a helpful thing to know about in situations where you need a particular person to front or if you're going somewhere you know will have positive triggers, you can be prepared. Although you should NEVER try and purposefully try to use this to trigger someone without expressed permission or warning. As if it goes wrong it can accidentally trigger dissociation or feel mean to the other alter who was fronting before them.

Memory sharing
Several alters, or even the entire system can share memory. Most commonly these are things like motor skills and day to day knowledge. While alters may have different handwriting, they all know how to write. While some alters may not be verbal, they still understand language etc.
Systems with low amnesia barriers can share memories of significant life events and multiple alters can be fully aware of what is happening in the front even if they're far away.

Blocking
Some alters, typically gatekeepers, overseers and sometimes protectors have the ability to block certain information and memories from other alters. This is done for the good of the system, allowing the host/frequent fronters to live day to day life without being stressed or tormented by the constant anxiety of the memory coming up. Sometimes mundane memories can accidentally get caught up in a block, when the alter doing the blocking simply blocks off an entire time period rather than one particular event. Sometimes the memory is completely repressed, other times it's given to a particular alter to hold onto it.

Exomemories
Exomemories refer to memories of an introject based on their source. While you will remember the events of the story as you reading them on a page or watching it on TV, they'll remember it as if it's actually happened to them and the body they're currently in. The brain is processing the events as if it's a real memory that you actually have, even if those events never happened to the body you're in. This can be to cover up a memory of something that actually happened to make it easier to process, or simply just something that comes with the introject as that event is a big part of their identity.