anderson, I understand what you're talking about completely. I'm new to the actual DID diagnosis, but I've had a Little out for about two years. I have a couple friends who've accepted my Little self, and said they'd never hurt either of us, but in the end we were hurt. My T says, perhaps, we were taken advantage of.

I know my friends never meant to hurt us, but I can't always protect myself from painful situations. I've been avoiding socializing for the last couple months - afraid of trusting, afraid of being unable to protect myself, afraid of being hurt again...even if they don't mean to hurt me!

I love being able to allow my Littlest self to come out and play and interact with others who readily accept her, but I've let her get hurt. Lately she's only been out to talk to our T... and I'm even scared about that. He says we're safe with him, but my friends said that too.

I don't know what the answer is. I can't keep us safe - even with people who say they're safe! How can we ever know for sure?

I guess this post hasn't been very helpful. I hope you are able to find safe friends who accept you for who you are. It is a wonderful feeling to be able to let a different part out to be herself out in the open.