WHAT IS DID
dissociative identity disorder:
formerly and outdatedly known as multiple personality disorder —is a dissociative disorder based on the existence of two or more "altered states of consciousness" called alters / parts / headmates that have the ability to take executive control, followed by memory gaps or amnesia. but did is not a disorder or illness is more of a trauma response/self-defense mechanism
DID most commonly forms around the ages of 6 to 9 not usually formed after the age of 10.
what causes did?
DID is by childhood trauma of all sorts such as -- physical, emotional, or sexual abuse of a child by the hands of their caregiver, or isn't caused by direct abuse; growing up in unstable conditions such as warzones, repeated natural disasters, medical trauma, and human trafficking.
what are alters?
alters are dissociated parts of a system that can take executive control of the body, or "front" but not all alters will front, some can front continuously while others never will it ranges from alter to alter.
it is important to remember that different systems have different needs, and systems may or may not have one or more alters for each of the above jobs. in smaller systems particularly, alters might hold multiple roles, some of which may even at first seem contradictory. for example, an alter might be persecutory to the system yet strive to protect it from outsiders. other alters might hold roles that are specific to the system and would be difficult to define or generalize
OSDD , Vocab , Roles , Courtesy , Stereotypes