HI all,
I think I saw a thread in the last few days by a person who felt not a match to this forum, but it seems gone. I had wanted to respond because I have had similar feelings. I'll write anyway.

This person spoke about not relating to "drama." I can understand. We all do this DID thing differently. I have extremely cerebral parts who do not relate to personal emotional sharing online or anywhere else. Sometimes on this forum, I have hoped for more conversation about DID and less sharing about what's happening in people's lives. Let me say that differently. Not less sharing, but definitely more conversation that references recent research, history of the condition, ideas.

I would still like to see that. Like the writer whose post I cannot find, I am an older person. Perhaps that makes a difference.

We struggle with definitions, terms, jargon, but can still learn from each other.
We do not need to conform to DSM definitions in our online communication to do this. We do not need to adhere to diagnostic requirements to share our experience.

If a person says, something is happening to them, that should be validated. If they are asking, "Oh god, is this DID?" I doubt they're seeking a diagnosis from a forum. It seems more a rhetorical remark. So we don't need to stress that a forum cannot render a diagnosis.

But we do need to "listen" and validate people's experience.

Whether I call myself "host" or "original person" or "part" or "alter" shouldn't be an impediment to communication on this forum. I use the terms my therapist uses.

And I think the new diagnostic criteria ICD-10, finally implemented last fall, include self reporting of parts, so this is something we need to be open to on the forum.

Folks come here because there aren't other places to "talk" about DID. Let's be open and flexible to what people are seeking. Let's offer hospitality and inclusion.