go back, i'm done reading!


What is an introject?

an introject is an alter that split to hold an introjected belief that no other alter could hold at that time, and said introjected belief was masked by a substitute belief.

defintion & vocab taken from this post! a very good read. ───────────────────

First, some vocabulary: Introjection: The act of adopting beliefs (or ideas, attitudes, etc.) sourced from another person.

Identification: The act of identifying with/as another person/creature/etc.

Pathogenic kernel: The most threatening part of a traumatic experience.

Substitute beliefs: Beliefs that exist to mask pathogenic kernels. The substitute beliefs are not important in and of themselves. The more important thing is the beliefs they belie.

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The reason introjects of fictional characters, abusers, caretakers, & of the like are so common in systems aren't just because of how other disorders (neurodivergency) plays into your OSDD/DID. Fictional characters can easily hold Subsititute beliefs (for example, a Hu Tao [Genshin] alter holding the subsititute belief "I am a ghost!".) There is not any reason behind calling somebody out for having a introject of a fictional character, even if they "act like there source" or "come from a terrible source" because that simply may be the point.

"However, with introjects, the substitute beliefs come in the form of identifying with the people (or, in the case of fictional introjects, characters) who instilled that belief. "I am [abuser]/[caretaker]/[important figure in my life]/[character]."
Again, the substitute belief is not the important part—the most important part of it is helping to get to the bottom of the kernel of truth and, if it is harmful, try to heal it."


How does it work? Break it down please!

In the example above, the Hu Tao alter believes their a ghost. This, alone, is not a harmful belief. The pathogenic kernel could be:
A. I feel like I died.
B. I feel invisible to the outside world, like if I don't exist.
C. I feel like I should not be alive, that this is not my reality.

Now, let's detail it! A. I have experienced a traumatic event that makes me feel as if my old self, perhaps my innocence (or may be relating to being a system, your core personality breaking apart) died off. Which in turn, makes me feel like I am dead or a self of a person.

B. I have experienced a traumatic event, perhaps a form of neglect; that makes me feel like I am not a person worthy or recognition. Therefore, I feel like I do not exist to the people around me or the people who supposedly care for me.

C. I have experienced a traumatic event, perhaps a near death experience or suicidal thoughts, that make me question my reality. Because of this, I feel like I should not be alive. ("Why me?")

The feelings behind substitute beliefs, aka the pathogenic kernel; are real & should be respected. The substitute belief is not. If it is harmful to believe, you can change it. But if this is not the case, live in your comfort; nothing is wrong with that.


However...

On sites like Ponytown, people who usually throw around the term introject are heavily uneducated on the above stated, or claim such, & claim self-awareness, but do not practice what they preach. If you are aware that the introject is harmful, you should be attempting to heal it. Introjects who claim to not want to seperate their source, or heavily identify as such, are inherently toxic & come from a place of unhealthy behavior, as this is something you should not be wanting if the kernel is harmful.

It is a huge Red Flag for you as a person, as a system, as a whole for you to be defending & parading harmful beliefs. This is anti-recovery behavior & should not be tolerated. People have the right to disagree with you, & it is your responsibiity as a person & system to heal yourself if you are the problem. Period.

People who seem to rapidly form introjects, or people who suddenly gain introjects of "new" or "relevant" media aren't nessecarily faking, but it is still something highly unlikely to happen in mass like how it does on Ponytown.


Hey, what about source memories?

oh well. we need a different section for that

Edit Report
Pub: 11 Apr 2024 21:03 UTC
Edit: 11 Apr 2024 23:50 UTC
Views: 590