Help with Dissociative Identity Disorder

Notice: This section of the Trauma and Dissociation Wiki is unreferenced and is the personal opinion of the editors, rather than the voice of an expert on Dissociative Identity Disorder. Read with caution!

This section is different from the other parts of this wiki, since this part is not referenced material, but instead are tips on how to deal with Dissociative Identity Disorder from those that have it. Our hope is that this information will be helpful to others with Dissociative Identity Disorder and the unspecified dissociative disorders.

Communication Between Alters

Here are a few idea to help with communication between alters:

• In believe that an alter that has been acting as host for a while does loose all memory of the inside world, and of their childhood trauma, and probably even their entire childhood, other than a basic timeline.
• Depending on the alter, the host alter may or may not be able to hear the other alters inside.
• A first step to communication between the host alter and the alters inside can be to developed a sort of sign language to communicate with each other.
• Eventually a person who works on their Dissociative Identity Disorder can get to the point where they have obtained one type of coconsciousness or another.
• An alter with limited dissociative boundaries should be able to hear and see more alters inside and if is acting as the host, should have better communication with the alters inside.

Journaling

One you have established communication between the host alter and those alters inside, then journaling can begin. As was mentioned under the topic of communication, different alters acting as the host will have varied abilities to hear the alters inside, and usually not all the alters inside will be able to hear certain alters that are acting as the host.

As dissociative boundaries fade the host should be able to hear the inside alters increasingly better all the time. If you have the ability to switch, place an alter as the host that hears well, and another inside to talk to them, who can communicate well with that host alter.

Another Perspective on Journaling

Communication between alters is a very personal experience. Every system is different, and what works for one system, may not be the right fit for another.

A couple of ways to establish communication before coconsciousness is achieved may include journaling and drawing. Journaling can be helpful in establishing communication between alters, and not just the host either. Most DID systems start out with very little communication, including between alters that are predominantly inside together. Leaving a notebook lying around with a pen/pencil at the ready may be a very useful tactic. Some of those inside may write notes to the host, some to each other, and some may simply write how they were feeling/coping. Write a question in the journal and then try to relax to see if anyone will respond. A lengthy conversation can take place between several alters and sometimes the host within a very short amount of time. This may seem very scary, there may be some degree of "time loss" while this takes place, but especially in the beginning, this is a very common occurrence anyway. Don't be afraid, it is a way to communicate with those you cannot otherwise hear. You may find poems, and other times drawings, it can allow alters to communicate and release some of their own stress and memories in a safe way, although it may not always feel that way. Journaling isn't just a tool to be used in the beginning of your journey to cooperation, but can be used throughout the healing process. Journaling at the very least will put your thoughts and emotions in a place where they are easily accessible to the other alters and release some of the tension of hiding them.

Drawing to establish communication can be used in a few different ways. Some inside may be very young and unable to form letters much less write; drawing can be a way to establish communication with them. Another form of communication may not be with those inside; it may be with your therapist. When there is very little communication between alters, the therapist may be useful in promoting a timeline. Those that chose not to speak, or cannot speak, may be better able to draw what they need to say. Drawing can also be used to process memories. You may not be a talented artist, some inside may be far more adept in this area. Allowing those inside the time and place to draw can release what cannot be said. It may be helpful to take drawings into therapy for your therapist to see. Your therapist witnessing what cannot be said may be enough to release some of the anxiety around a memory.

Breaking Down of Dissociative Boundaries

Coconsciousness can mean many things, but basically it is the breaking down of any of the dissociative boundaries. This means that as someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder integrates the communication between various alters will increase. This won't be limited to just one way either. It can be communication between the host and alters inside, or the ability of an alter inside to hear and see other alters, or even to have more than one alter in the mind.

• Dealing with Dissociative-Identity-Disorder