That's not what I get from this at all. To me the infromation is trying to stress that all of the parts make up one whole person. Therefore, when the first alter is created, walls are built up between the experience/job of the alter and the other parts of the original. So altogether, they make up one whole person. The alter isn't created from nothing to add to the person's whole being, it is sectioned off from who the whole being was. So the part that others would call the original, isn't technically the original anymore because part of who they were has been sectioned off to become an alter. Each time another alter is created, it is the same thing: walls being put up to stop conscious awareness of certain things (memories, jobs, emotions, etc.) The idea is to get people to understand that the 'original' as others call it, is not actually the whole person he/she was before the trauma. They are now parts of the whole as well.

You have given a very insightful perspective. Personally I have a lot of consciousnesses when having to do things in the world. I have noticed that not everyone knows what the others do or say when it does not pertain to the outside. I understand the concept you described of the "original" now being a part because he/she created others to do certain jobs. It makes sense. One of my worries was how would the original be if she hasn't had to do all the jobs we have been doing for so long. It kinda makes me sad that Sue isn't the me I was looking for. I am seeing my t on Thursday to talk about all this. I have three hosts that are in the world, they work, they problem solve and get tough when needed. They watch over us but they don't communicate much with us individually. We have someone who will talk to us for them. You know like pass on information that we need to know so we don't get seen. Last night I was freaked out and crying today I am trying to wrap my head around it. Your insight helped. What I don't understand is who do we integrate into if there is no one alter or original. There is someone who we have who loves someone but she doesn't seem to be aware of us. Not that I can remember. When she is out everyone is quite, no cross talk just her in the moment. It's weird but it always feels safe. I would want us to be her but if she knew all the stuff we know maybe she wouldn't feel safe anymore. It's all so much to think about.

As for your goal for therapy, most therapists want to help their patients break down some (or all) of the barriers that are making parts necessary. You want to become a whole person, with all of your parts either integrated, or communicating with each other so that you can access any jobs, experience, emotions or memories needed to function well in life.

I hope that makes sense.