ya know... we agree...amazing thing isn't it....considering how many years that I have actually thought about this subject..

The process that you describe.. is just very visual.. and true..
mine is zzz then sss then qqq... and then agreement...on "that" item... and then the next.. and the next..
And so the "integration" process goes.. though believe me.. I have been in therapy with some T that would tell you THAT is not the process..

However, it is what I do with my current T.. and also with the one that I was with for 3 years that we worked so well together...

So..in actuality.. I am working towards integration.. though.. I do think that I am "so scared" of being "hopeful" and wanting that as an expectation..

I do worry.. if full integration "happened".. would I "like" this new "person".... well my response to that.. is that I truely do like and trust all of my alters.. so.. how could I help but like the resulting "new" person.. so that puts a mind at ease..

Changing of abilities - I have already had that happen.. as I have gone from many alters to a few... and what you can do.. what you can accomplish does change... and not always for the more effective.. I would say "better".. however, perhaps it is good not to be "the programmer" that can do 3 times more projects than the others.. hey less work.. if managers know that you can do it.. they will pile the work on and on..

My first T.. of 10 years... put such emphasis on intergration - like that was my life.. not being a mom, a programmer, a friend, an anyalst, a project manager... a person with a "life".

Perhaps.. that is the difference between the ineffective T for DID... and an effective T... I "live" my life now.. and therapy is dealing with "life" events.. not with this theroy of "intergration"...

So this has a very interesting and thought provoking thread.. I appreciate all that has contributed.. though.. would of course like to see it not end...

cause it is so interesting ... hearing all the thoughts on integration..