This is an open list in alphabetical order by first letter and will be updated as new terminology comes about. This is meant to help people understand dissociative identity disorder and not meant to confuse people so if you disagree with the way a word has been defined please let me know and I can update the definition or terms. If you want something updated, added, removed or changed, send me a message on instagram @diaryofapsycho1 and I will make appropriate changes. Not all alter types will be included in this post as I have another post discussing that.
A
Alters- Parts of self or personalities in someone with DID.
Alternate states of consciousness- the long term for alters.
Amnesia- Memory loss that comes with DID and the forming of alters.
B
Bigs- a term used to describe adult alters.
Blackout- Common occurrence when dissociated or switching when you have periods of absolutely no memory.
C
Co-Con- This means co-conscious and is when 2 or more alters are in control.
Chronic- long lasting or permanent condition.
D
Dissociating- This is a complex term and I have a post explaining it and here is the link to that (https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/blog-home/dissociation).
DSM-V- This is the diagnostic criteria that contains all recognised and proven mental disorders and is used by mental health professionals.
Diagnosis- formal confirmation of a disorder.
E
EMDR- This is a form of therapy for trauma processing. It stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing.
Ego state- Another term for alters.
Emotional parts- Alters in a DID/OSDD system that contain unresolved trauma memories and can be angry, sad, or anxious all the time.
F
Fronting- When an alter is in control of the body.
Fragment- a less fully formed alter. May have been created to perform one task or hold one memory.
Flashback- Reliving a past experience.
G
Grounding- A way to bring yourself to the present and can be used to calm anxiety and limit or assist switches.
H
Host- The alter who is in control the most often.
Headmates- Another term for Alters.
Headspace- another term for Inner world.
I
InnerWorld- This is an internal world for alters and is made to help the brain cope during trauma.
Integration- The forming of a singular, functional personality. Can be between 2 or more alters combining.
Introjects- Alters that are copies or very similar to someone or something in the real world. I have a post explaining the types of introjects (https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/blog-home/all-about-introjects).
J
K
L
Littles- A way to describe alters under the age of 10.
M
Multiple Personality Disorder- The old name for DID. No longer used because DID is a dissociative disorder not a personality disorder.
Multiplicity- Simply means having multiple personalities rather than one.
N
NPC- Stands for non playable character and used to describe alters or fragments who do not front.
Neurotypical- someone without mental illness.
O
Out- when an alter is in control of the body (fronting).
Original- Typically the alter that goes by the birth name and identifies with the body. Not all systems will have an original or use the term.
'out of it'- A way of describing dissociation.
OSDD- Otherwise specified dissociative disorder, (not DID).
P
PTSD- Post traumatic stress disorder and the base of DID and other trauma disorders.
Persecutor- Often tabled as the 'bad' alter. They will often hold a lot of trauma memory and as a result can have very strong opinions and emotions.
Protector- An alter or alters who look after the body and other alters.
Q
R
S
Switching- The changing of personality states or alters.
Structural Dissociation- The leading theory about DID and Dissociative Disorders.
Singlet or singleton- Someone with one personality.
Splitting- the forming of new alters.
System- a group of alters all sharing the same body.
Self care- a way to help yourself feel better, more relaxed and stress-free.
Stigma- negative misconceptions about something.
T
Trauma- an event that is unique to the individual and either is life threatening of causes permanent damage to the mind.
Triggers- Anything that can cause a flashback, intense emotion, immediate response or a switch. I have a post discussing this further (https://diaryofapsychoblog.wixsite.com/home/blog-home/triggers).
Therapy- a way to help DID and other metal illnesses.
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Zoning out- a common term used to describe dissociation.
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