Information about my illness and my system

  • I'm suspected to have USDD (Unspecified Dissociative Disorder.) Alters are easily split and at times and alters grow attached to their sources. In my case, I experience switches extremely often. I'm also a heavily fragmented system, meaning there are a lot of undeveloped alters.
  • You can find information on the alters who frequently front Here. You can also check whoever's fronting in my discord status.

What's a System?

  • A system caused by Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) refers to the presence of multiple distinct identities or personality states within a single individual. Each identity, often called an "alter," may have its own unique traits, memories, and behaviors. These identities can take control of the person's consciousness at different times, leading to shifts in how they experience the world and interact with others. The formation of a system in DID is often a result of trauma, where the mind creates separate identities as a coping mechanism to handle overwhelming stress or abuse. These identities may work together or independently, and healing typically involves integrating the identities into a more cohesive sense of self.
  • Not everyone who develops a system has DID. There are many subtypes/other kinds of Dissociative disorders. Examples are: OSDD, C-DID, EC-DID, P-DID, USDD.

Sources and introjects

  • In a system, sources refer to parts of the person's original self or memories that have been split off or dissociated into different alters. These sources often carry specific traits or experiences from the host's past. Introjects, on the other hand, are alters or parts that have taken on characteristics, behaviors, or beliefs from external figures, such as caregivers, authority figures, or even media. Introjects may unconsciously mimic or embody these influences, sometimes taking on their personality traits or roles within the system.

System Alter Roles

  • System Alter roles are roles for alters in a system. Alters are formed for different reasons. For example, an alter can be formed and be assigned to do chores, do anything academic related, or managing/keeping track of members in a system. Common roles are Host and Co-Host. Hosts are alters in charge of the system, and a Co-Host helps. They're the "heads" of the system. Hosts and Co-Hosts often front.

Switches

  • This is the process when the control of the body and consciousness shifts from one alter (identity) to another. This change can happen suddenly and may or may not be noticeable to others, though the person experiencing it may have limited awareness of what is happening during the switch. Switching can be triggered by various factors, such as stress, emotions, or specific situations, and each alter may take control for different lengths of time. Think of it as passengers and the driver of a car. Alters who front are who're in charge of driving the car. Alters in the passenger seats of the car are alters who are subconscious, meaning they're present but not in front.

Formation of alters

  • When alters form, it doesn't always mean alters are fully formed. A fully developed alter in a system is a distinct identity or personality state with its own unique traits, memories, behaviors, and ways of interacting with the world. Each alter may have its own name, age, gender, preferences, and even distinct mannerisms or ways of thinking. These alters are typically formed as coping mechanisms in response to trauma or overwhelming experiences, and they can take control of the person's consciousness at different times, often without the awareness of other alters. A fully developed alter is usually complex and well-formed, with its own sense of self, separate from the host personality and other alters in the system.
    • When an alter isn't fully-formed, they're fragments. A fragment in a system, refers to a part of the person's consciousness or experience that is not fully developed into a distinct identity (or "alter"). Fragments are often incomplete or underdeveloped aspects of a person's emotional, mental, or physical experience, which may arise as a response to trauma. They can represent specific memories, feelings, or states of mind that are disconnected or isolated, rather than being integrated into the person’s full sense of self. These fragments may not have a separate personality but can still influence behavior or contribute to dissociative experiences within the system.
    • Fragments can also have sources and can also be introjects. They're mostly temporary and fade away easily.

Visual representation of Systems compared to someone without DID :

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀With DID⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Without DID

What does this mean?

  • What's trying to be shown is each person's "traits" (That's how I'd best describe it.) When a person has a good childhood with a consistent healthy and safe environment, they're able to develop properly, so their traits are well mixed with eachother. But when a person has a bad childhood, with constant repeated trauma being inflicted for a long period of time, they struggle to develop properly due to the amount of repressed trauma. This causes the child's traits to separate and become independent--then becoming their own identities which are alters.
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Pub: 15 Apr 2022 04:54 UTC
Edit: 09 Mar 2025 14:48 UTC
Views: 410