Dissociative identity disorder is a condition formally known as multiple personality disorder, where trauma survivors develop alters (alternate states of consciousness) to help forget and distract form past events. DID is a disorder with large amounts of negative stigma and the preconceived thought that it is dangerous and something to be afraid of. Alters are more likely to hurt themselves than others and this is due to the fact that this is a mental illness and has drastic impact on its sufferers.
Alters are created for a reason and therefore are equally important as one another. Each alter will have a job or role to fill within a DID system. Alters can have multiple roles or just one role.
In this blog post I will not be covering all system roles as, to be honest, I don't think that I know them all as this condition is so diverse from case to case. Not all systems use the same terms or identify with the terms that I will be using which is more than okay. I am not a mental health professional, just someone living with the disorder in question. So, I will now tell you about some roles that DID systems may have.
Original: This refers to the one who uses the bodies legal name, age, sex, gender, etc. Not many systems like this term or think that they have an "original", however, in my personal experience I (Jennifer) am the original in my system.
Caretakers: A caretakers role is to look after other members of the system and sometimes in the "real world" too. they are often a more gentle and caring person who sees the good in everyone. They also can be responsible for the internal and external environment and the safety of others.
Protectors: These alters are responsible for protecting the system as a whole and keeping the body from harm. They are risk minimisers and can be more firm and upfront about issues surrounding safety, wellbeing, external interactions and are often aware of trauma.
Gatekeepers: As this disorder is formed from serious traumatic events, these memories can be damaging and scary. It is a gatekeepers job to keep memories (and sometimes alters) away from the system to reduce the rick of flashbacks, new trauma, stress and worsening symptoms.
Littles: These alters are between ages 0-9. They are infants and children who are possibly stuck in the age of trauma or trauma time. This isn't always the case but most often is. Littles can also be a distraction from trauma and memories and be completely carefree, happy, and living the childhood we missed.
Middles: This is the term given to teenage alters. These alters can represent rebellion, freedom, sexuality and other similar things that come with being in the stages of adolescents. These alters will naturally be very proud of who they are and be authentically themselves no matter what. This can be an escape for DID systems.
Persecutors: These alters are often called "bad alters" or "evil alters" because of what they where created to do. Persecutors are alters that are often more negative and difficult for the whole system and those in the external environment. They may self harm, leave scary notes, yell at others, destroy things externally that create joy, disagree with others about everything, be angry, overly sexual or emotional.
Fragments: Unlike alters, fragments are less 3D and may have only been created to serve one very specific purpose (cooking, cleaning, writing, exercise, showering, etc). They are smaller parts and have less responsibilities than that of alters but they are just as valid and important.
Introjects: These alters can be positive or negative with no in-between. A positive introject could be someone who looked after the child at times of distress (mother, friend, older sibling, etc), these alters are there to continue protecting the person with DID from similar situations and can often be very helpful. Negative introjects are often the someone who was the cause of trauma in the first place and this can be very distressing for DID systems.
Animal Alters: Yes, they are real. Animal alters are just as important as human alters as they can still protect and provide comfort. Animals like wolves, sharks, lions and bears are often seen to be strong and brave, this may help with feeling safe and protected. Animals like bunnies, cats, ducks and hamsters are seen to be soft, cuddly and gentle. This can provide joy and happiness to the system.
Internal Self-helper: Much like caretakers and protectors, these alters are caring, helpful and understanding. They focus on keeping the inner-world safe, enjoyable and clean as well as keeping check that everything goes to plan.
Host: This is simply the alter who is in control most of the time. This can be the "original" (like in my case), or be different completely. There can be more than one host in a system.
ANP: Apparently normal parts, are alters who seem to function without memories of trauma or any struggles with mental health. They appear to be completely fine and function as a normal person living a normal life.
Opposite sex alters: The purpose of having alters of the opposite sex or gender can be different across all systems. They are important and need to be accepted as part of the system like all others.
Sexual Alter: These alters can be created to make the body feel "loved", "accepted", "confident", or "normal". I put these in quotes as this all depends on the individual. These alters tend to be in late teen years or early twenties, but can be of any age.
Non-human alters: Much like animal alters, these parts can be created to provide, joy, protection or comfort. Dragons, fairies, goblins, wizards, unicorns, Pegasus or vampires can all be alters just like anything else. These mythical creatures can often be created due to what a child is able to imagine at this time of trauma to help distract from reality.
Supernatural alters: Angels, demons, ghosts, gods or spiritual beings can be created as a form of guidance and escape for the physical world. They are seen to be strong and influential beings that are there to protect.
Fictives/Factives: Fictives are characters from video games, movies, books, tv shows or other forms of media that a child has a strong attachment to and needed to replicate in order to feel safe and happy in times of trauma. Factives can be actors, singers, dancers, or just regular people that the child looked up to and, again, need in times of trauma.
NPC: This term means "none playable character" and is often seen in video games. As the name suggests they are not a normal alter but their role is to fill in gaps in the inner-world. Any of the types of alters I have written about above can also be NPCs and solely live in the inner-world.
That concludes my post for today and I hope that it helped some people out there in understanding alters a little more. I definitely did not include all system roles or alter types but I tried my best. I may do another post about additional parts of a system or more terminology in future. I am not a professional and I can not say that what I write is 100% accurate but it is based on personal experience and research. I do not have every single alter type and I don't expect all systems to use the same terms that I do, I am sorry if I used terms that made some of you uncomfortable, I did my best.
Thank you so much for reading and I hope you smile today :)
Jen xx
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