((((((((((myself))))))))))) I've always respected the massive research you've done in an attempt to understand self, then applying it to your experience. Please know that.

That said, many others can use the same research to apply it to their experience, even though it might be different from yours. Because of that, I'd like to share some of the ways that my experience might be different, based on the same information...

Their content is connected (the same theme, catagory, matches) The content must all be related

I find that to be very true with my experience. I must add, though, that with my experience abuses continued for "ages" and continued to be processed/placed (yes, even as adult) with the parts of this mind that were created way back when. Possibly that's the reasoning for growth in alters?

What all that means is that in this diagnosing criteria for DID - the "alters" are limited by what they contain. Their content is connected (the same theme, catagory, matches) The content must all be related. a person when experiencing a DID alter can only act out what is contained as a part of that piece of memory and cannot be made to act out any other behaviors because the "Alter" is limited and exact.

if the person has the ability to be acting out other things that are not contained within that piece of memory they cannot be diagnosed as having DID accoding to the DSM IV TR criteria

I agree with the BASICS of that, to a point...only a point, though. I believe that is a basic truth, but it is expanded from there in my case. I feel the EMOTIONAL content is EXTREMELY limited to each. In experiencing today, which can happen, the parts of this mind react from "their place emotionally" if they're pulled to the present by a trigger that relates to what they hold. They see the event "today" from "their place" and react to it. That's my interpretation of that based on my experience due to the many abuses over many years, I'm assuming based on what t and I discovered.

For instance, when the doctor memory arose (an adult event), parts of the same event was stored with three different parts of this mind (participant in inappropriate convo, s*xual abuse, and fear of physical harm), because of the many things that happened, I presume. Two of these parts were certainly created as a child and held MANY memories holding a similar "theme", but even the abuse as an adult was processed, almost sorted, and placed there. Again, with continued abuses over years, the "the same theme, catagory, matches" were sought out/appeared and processed the part of the event applying to the parts of this mind that matched the same. So, again, I'm agreeing with you to a point, but adding "more" based on my experiences. It appears that you have applied it to self as a part of the mind containing only one memory. That's not my experience.

Although these parts that held different happenings withhin the event, they also held other events happening throughout the many years. So, while they began as children and were certainly limited in their aspect, perceptions and feelings of the time of "beginning", they expanded/grew to process the additional placements based on "the same theme, catagory, matches" remaining just as limited in the aspect of containment there.

If they can learn then they are not limited. they are not exact.

Again, I feel they are emotionally limited. However, if that were fact across the board into learning, how would one ever heal? If information cannot be taken in and "placed", how would healing/understanding/communication occur? In my experience, awarenesses HAVE to be applied for change; for healing.

So, again, while I greatly respect all the work you've done in understanding a applying research to yourself. I'm adding what I've found to be true from myself in the healing process.

I do agree with the basics of alot of what you've wrote. In my case, it's just a bit broader than your perception of the criteria.

Even the DSM-IV evolved to accomodate, based on experiences and continual learning by professionals regarding this dx. Regardless of "specifics" we share the common as well...we're unique (even within the dx.), beautiful, creative, intelligent survivors...all of us.

KD