A.N. : I did some extensive research to find additional information. If any of this information is wrong, or if systems/ communities out there would like to correct me, please do. I would much rather correct mistakes and help people understand DID than give false information about a disorder that already receives plenty of stigma and misinformation.

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Alter : A dissociated part with their own age, gender, sexuality, perceived looks, perceived race, perceived species, wants, desires, needs, opinions, memories, skills, personality etc. They are a whole identity and cannot be mistaken as being the same as the Core, nor can they be forced to meld together with the Core.

Not every alter has to be the same gender or age as the Core, nor do they have to be the same race or even species.

Creation : Alter identities are created to manage either overwhelming trauma or changes in everyday life that cannot be managed by any of the existing identities.

Some people with DID can indicate when and during which event certain Alters were created. Creation of Alters is influenced by the child's beliefs and their culture.

Additional Alters may be created into adulthood if the person already has complex DID. F.e. An Alter created to deal with sexual abuse may be unable to manage if the abuse persists or intensifies and thus, requires another Alter to be formed.

Sadly enough, organized perpetrators may intentionally create Alters and train them to do specific jobs. If the presented Alter is not to their liking or unable to comply with the "job", the abusers will continue until eventually an Alter that agrees for their ensured survival, is created.

Fronting : When a single Alter is currently in charge. This Alter controls the body, actions and what they want to do. However, this doesn't mean that only the Alter is present, but that their emotions and thoughts are currently the strongest in the forefront of the mind's shared awareness.

Co-consciousness : Also known as Co-con. When two or more Alters are aware of each other's presence and what is currently happening. While one Alter is in charge, multiple others may be watching and listening in. Comparable to all of them being in the same car and one chooses where to drive to.

Co-fronting/ Co-hosting : When two or more Alters are out and inhabiting the body at the same time. This may be a jarring experience for the Alters if they are new to the sensation.

They feel a sense of sharing space and each Alter may control a different thing. For example, one Alter may be cooking as that is their field of expertise while a different Alter is speaking to and consoling a person. This may end by one of the Alters peacefully backing off, or both leaving to make place for someone else.

Dissociative amnesia : The inability to remember something about oneself. This is usually about a traumatic memory, or memories, that has been locked away in the shape of an Alter.

People with DID may initially not even know their Alters exist. Often they will encounter a blockage in their memory, time skips where they cannot remember how they got home, where they are or even who they may be.

This can happen to both the Core and the Alters. Alters may not realize that they are an Alter, may even be stuck in their traumatic memory.

Switching Triggers : There are multiple triggers that may cause the host or an Alter to switch between Alters. These triggers may include stress, memories, strong emotions, sensations, alcohol- and substance use, special events or specific situations.

Relationships : People can be in a relationship with one or multiple Alters of the System. Depending on the Alters of the person with DID, this relationship can evolve from romantic, friendly to purely platonic/familial in case of a Little emerging.

Communication is extremely important with these relationships, especially if the person experiences amnesia. After all, one Alter might wake up remembering being single and then walking into their , for them unknown, partner.

On the other end, the partner may be interacting with one of the Alters they are in a relationship with, only to suddenly become a parental figure to the emerged Little or Child Alter.

Signs of Alter switching

· Feeling sleepy/ drowsy

· Feeling disconnected / spacey

· Itchy eyes ( Eye rubbing)

· Temperature changes

· Change of attitude

· Change of mannerism

· Heavy blinking

· Mild muscle spasms

· Checking the time

· Clearing of throat before speaking

· Adjusting clothes / posture

Alter types

Animal Alter : Often found in abused children who either feel close to animals to show emotions, or have been forced to act/ be treated like an animal by their abuser.

Animal alters often have a definite gender and can be present and accepted as human, without the person realizing they're communicating with an Animal Alter.

Abuse Alter / Persecutor : A common type of alter, often acting in a harmful way with a protective logic in their actions. They often have a distorted view of reality and may disrupt therapy or intentionally injure their body. F.e. to punish child alters for disclosing abuse that has been kept a secret.

Some of these Persecutors may even be introjects of the system's former abuser. While they may seem to have no positive or protective intentions, they can still be negotiated with and should be treated with kindness.

It must be noted that these Alters are NOT evil. They do their best to protect the system with the limited information and distorted view of the world they have. Just like the other Alters, they should be seen as victims and survivors of abuse and not as an abuser.

Caretaker / Soother : A type of Protector who help manage and care for the other Alters and sometimes external people f.e. children. They are often motherly, modeled after another person.

These Alters often lack awareness of self-care and can become exhausted easily. As such, they have a limited role to play and have little capacity for play, exploration or socialization.

Child Alter / Littles : Nicknamed as 'Little ones' or 'Littles', these alters are very common and exist in most people with DID. They often talk in a childlike way but unlike a biological child, can understand abstract concepts and long words.

These Alters either hold the child abuse memories from the age they represent, or they may only hold onto the happy, playful memories of their childhood. Sometimes they may even be a representation of the 'Perfect Child'.

They can gradually age or remain the same age. They should NOT be confused with the concept of having an Inner Child.

When a Little emerges, they should be treated with patience and kindness, as this shows the Community trusts you with such a vulnerable Identity.

While they may understand intricate concepts and long words, these Alters should be kept safe, as they could be easily tricked by people with ill intentions.

Core / Original : Also known as the Host. The Alter who is inclined to front the most to deal with social interactions. This may be one, if not multiple Alters, each for their own designated purpose.

Sometimes Hosts may stop fronting for a while, sometimes they keep fronting for a long, extended period without any interjection from other Alters.

Fragment : A 'partial' Alter with a very limited role, which only contains parts of memories and a small amount of emotions. They either have a range of emotions but very limited life history, or more substantial life history but are unable to feel a range of emotions.

Gatekeeper : This type of Alter has the job of keeping traumatized alters from appearing. They may also hold back memories or control which alters take over the body and when.

Introject / Copy Alter : These alters are based on another person they have met or heard of in the world. They base their own identity upon this person, which can be both positive f.e. based upon a kindhearted, good individual who has shown them kindness. Or this Introject could be a portrayal of negative experiences f.e. based on an abuser in order to try and keep the system in line and safe from the external abusers.

Protector : These Alters are common and can be split into three main types ; Fight parts, Persecutors and Caretakers.

Fight parts do not refer to actual violence but a show of external hostility to any perceived threat. They and Persecutors have defensive intentions, despite often having self-destructive behaviors like eating disorders or self-harm.

Protector Alters try to manage rage and anger, avoid feelings of hurt, fear and shame. They focus on perceived threats to keep the community safe and will find dependence, emotional needs and attachment rather threatening, as this may leave the community vulnerable to harm.

For example, a Protector Alter may see the partner of the Host initiate sex, and perceive it as an attempted rape, potentially causing the Protector to emerge and fight off the partner.