More time to talk...any advice??

My first posts were very basic, because I didn't have a lot of time.

On Thursday, my school nurse met one of my alters. This was the first time anybody (other than two very close friends) found out about my alters, and the only adult that has found out since it's become serious. I'm 17, I know of 5 alters: me (Sam) as the host, Koda, Anji, Remy, and Kyle (who's relatively new).

I first noticed the symptoms in 9th grade, when I was losing time, and finding a lot of notes and journal entries discussing aspects of my life (that others wouldn't know), but that were written in different handwritings than my own. Since then, I have many, many more symptoms.

I haven't told my psychiatrist. I plan to, but I don't know when I'll see her next. I have several reasons for coming to this forum; among the top: to identify and keep track of transitions, alters, and triggers; to hear stories, advice, and just plain encouragement from people who have been there (but only if they mean it); and to figure out what I can do to control how it affects my life (so it stops negatively affecting me at school and work).

The main thing I want is to learn how to live with this. It's relatively new to me (since before I just didn't really think about it). I don't really know anyone personally who has this, and I don't see my psychiatrist very often, or nearly as much as I probably should. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated

Welcome to the DD forum!
I personally have not formally diagnosed with any disorder, but I am almost positive I have one. I loss time, have alters, etc.
I think a good T is paramount in dealing/living with this. Also, have a good support system... which you have found here.
So free feel to post as much as you like.

Again, Welcome! if ok

Welcome to PC! My first advice would be to order the book
" The Dissociative Identity Disorder Sourcebook " by Deborah Haddock
You can get it from amazon in printed form or electronic book.
That is a TOP rescource that I am finding to be very helpful.

DID is caused by an extream trauma situation in early childhood according to what I have read. Alters were created to protect the mind from trauma that was too intenese for a child's mind to handle. If that is the case, you have had a hard life and I send you my safe hugs. It is difficult to have DID when we as host are in the dark about the situation. Many times the alters have done such a great job of hiding the truth of our past from us that we don't have any recall at all of what happened to us.

The actual act of learning from the alters what happened while we are in the trauma healing state can be painful. I suggest you at once let your therapist know what is going on because you will need to go ahead and get into a treatment plan that can help you heal the right way. Healing may not come as intigration for some. For others, it does happen that way. Or you may end up with some parts integrating and others staying out but you have shared consciousness of the body/mind space.

My personal recomendation is for you to let each alter have their own personal journal. Let them start by writing in that journal. And make it so others in the "house" or "system" have persmission to read what the other alters wrote. The system itself needs to learn how to trust each other inside first. You as host have to step up to the plate and teach each atler respect for the other family members. Another way to do this is to have daily family meetings internally. Take a roll-call. And allow each one to share what they have to share at that time.

WP