Do alters choose to integrate?

Alters may want to integrate so that they no longer miss out on so much of the system’s life, so that their emotional range is no longer limited, or so that they can consistently contribute to the system’s functioning and safety.

How long does it take for alters to integrate?

danalyn: You say it takes 4-8 years for integration.

Can alters choose to front?

Alters can ‘choose’ to front, to some extent, at least in our system (we have OSDD-1b). Sometimes it is triggered, sometimes it just happens.

Can DID alters talk to each other?

Some alters communicate with the host and others do not. Alters generally communicate with each other internally, by sharing thoughts with each other (they are all part of the same brain!). The host may communicate with them by: Corresponding in a journal.

Can people with DID integrate?

The subjective experience of the person with DID is very real and the goal of treatment is to achieve fusion of each personality so the person can begin to function as an integrated whole.

Did what does switching feel like?

Some indicators that a switch may be about to occur include the following: feeling “spacey”, depersonalized, or derealized; blurred vision; feeling distanced or slowed down; feeling an alter’s presence; or feeling like time is beginning to jump (indicating minor episodes of time loss).

Can multiple personalities know each other?

In some rare cases, alters have even been seen to have allergies that differ from the core personality. The person with DID may or may not be aware of the other personality states. Usually stress, or even a reminder of a trauma, can trigger a switch of alters.

Do you want to integrate with your alters?

Some people know that they want to integrate, but most people don’t want to even talk about it! I have learned that people change in therapy, alters become more similar – less opposite or different. The increase in communication in the system helps them feel more “together” – like a family.

What are alter personality states?

These personality states must each have their own enduring pattern of perceiving, relating to and thinking about the environment and self. These personality states can be thought of as alters.

What are alters in dissociative identity disorder?

When an individual has dissociative identity disorder (DID) or other specified dissociative disorder subtype 1 (OSDD-1), information is stored in separate dissociated parts, known as alters. Every individual who has been through trauma must integrate to some extent as part of healing.

How do other alters perceive the world?

There may be no major change in how other alters perceive themselves or the world. Even with more developed alters, one alter may seem to integrate into the other so that the resulting part retains the identity of one of the alters involved but gains some of the skills, traits, preferences, or views of the other.