i have definitely doubted myself a lot over the years. i have had others doubt me as well saying that everyone has other parts to them, ego states, etc. and while i agree with that, not everyone experiences them as separate with different names, ages, genders, characteristics, voices, etc.

i still have times i just think i think too much or times i don't know whether i'm just talking to myself/answering myself back or not, moreso during times of increased stress where i may be dissociating more..but even how the dissociation works at any given time is different which can cause me to experience the others in many different ways, subtle where we blend together and can't tell who is who or things get very disorienting/fuzzy, etc. with dissociation and things internally get very strange which affect things externally as well. i guess with so many variations, that is partly what confused me too, also losing communication with the others over the years as they were not needed as much anymore. but i know they are real and there because even so many years later, things remain consistent in how things feel related to certain ones, though some things have changed too which add doubt at times.

there has rarely, to my knowledge, been total take overs by others in my lifetime. it's always been a type of blending, though the memories i have when dissociating disappears too for the most part.

but overall, i know it is real because i live it. it's not something that can be explained easily just by the DSM or just by a professional explaining the DDNOS/DID spectrum because of the variations. but it's still very hidden for me. i keep it from those in my immediate life because they would never understand. so, i am very private about it and have a hard time even talking to my psychiatrist about it which makes it more difficult in trying to sort some things out. i feel like at times though, that is what the system needs too, to stay hidden/quiet because of what 'could' happen...either i might get lost among them all again or well...i don't know...