That is more like what I experience. I have had dreams that are very real with me when I was little or in my preteens. I do have alters of the same ages but I don't perceive them as being my alters. I understand them as being a part of my dream. Some of the dreams are about me being abused. Most times when I wake up I remember the dream and consider it as my mind trying to let me know what happened to me, Only doing it in small intervals. I also have lucide dreams where I know I am dreaming while I am dreaming. I have always had them.