i don't have an official diagnosis, but i do have alters. i also have similar questions even though i've been aware of mine for many years. but at the same time, for me, they have been quite silent for the last few years which causes me to question myself (until i feel or hear (rare) one again that is.

for me, i used to hear them a lot at the same time. i could distinguish who was who based on the familiar feelings, voice, feeling of what gender, or their name. but that has stopped for me, and i don't know if it means i have healed that much or what.

for me, i never 100% lost time, just had very fuzzy/confusing time or thought it was a certain day when it ended up being a few days after or before. i tend more to actually blend with some to such a degree that i don't know who i am outside of them...and it's just a huge confusing mess. it also isn't like how it used to be for me where i know which one it is..so i also don't know if it means it's a new one or what is going on.

i would talk to them though or even write. that seemed to help with some communication. it is a learning process for each individual as each system is so different. so, what works for one might not be what works for others. but maybe trying to write would work or even just try to talk internally and let them know you are open to hearing what they have to say.

i would have to write and show it to my psychiatrist in the first few years of seeing her because it was too difficult for me to talk.