[Eriksplus]

We were wondering if anyone else has an "alter" like this. In our case, it is (Kay)Erik.

In order to understand I must remind you all that our system is made up of "characters" from musicals and novels, mainly different versions of The Phantom of the Opera, including myself and (Kay)Erik. (Kay)Erik is from the novel Phantom by Susan Kay.

The novel mentioned above is split into sections according to (Kay)Erik's age like so:
Birth-9
9-12
13-15
19-22
25-50
50-d*ath

We don't know what tr*ggers it, but he'll be 50 (his literal age) one moment and either 14 or 19 the next (we have yet to see him go to other ages than those). When he's those ages he doesn't remember his life after them one bit; even with his wife and son standing beside him he can't recognize them (or anyone else here for that matter) at all, and we have to explain everything to him. In a way, it's like having a new arrival. The longest it lasts is a month, the shortest a day, but the strange thing is when he's 50 again, he'll not remember it happening and anything that went on during that time; the only thing that's still 'in tact' for him is the modern world and how everything works (he lived from 1831-1881 so now is modern).

At 14 he is weary and innocent at the same time, while curious and eager to please. At 19 he seems to be cold, arrogant, but with the same dry scene of humor we all know and love. He is also quite power-hungry and it's not that he doesn't care, you could say it's just that he doesn't care as much.

The reason why I ask for any advice, incite, ect, that anyone can give at this moment is he's 19 as we speak.... ANYthing would be appreciated, thank you...

(Webber)Erik

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Eriksplus

We were wondering if anyone else has an "alter" like this. In our case, it is (Kay)Erik.

In order to understand I must remind you all that our system is made up of "characters" from musicals and novels, mainly different versions of The Phantom of the Opera, including myself and (Kay)Erik. (Kay)Erik is from the novel Phantom by Susan Kay.

The novel mentioned above is split into sections according to (Kay)Erik's age like so:
Birth-9
9-12
13-15
19-22
25-50
50-d*ath

We don't know what tr*ggers it, but he'll be 50 (his literal age) one moment and either 14 or 19 the next (we have yet to see him go to other ages than those). When he's those ages he doesn't remember his life after them one bit; even with his wife and son standing beside him he can't recognize them (or anyone else here for that matter) at all, and we have to explain everything to him. In a way, it's like having a new arrival. The longest it lasts is a month, the shortest a day, but the strange thing is when he's 50 again, he'll not remember it happening and anything that went on during that time; the only thing that's still 'in tact' for him is the modern world and how everything works (he lived from 1831-1881 so now is modern).

At 14 he is weary and innocent at the same time, while curious and eager to please. At 19 he seems to be cold, arrogant, but with the same dry scene of humor we all know and love. He is also quite power-hungry and it's not that he doesn't care, you could say it's just that he doesn't care as much.

The reason why I ask for any advice, incite, ect, that anyone can give at this moment is he's 19 as we speak.... ANYthing would be appreciated, thank you...

(Webber)Erik

I have never had any of my alters switch ages, but I have had the problem where I and my alters had memory problems and not recognizing things. my treatment providers have all told me this kind of forgetfulness is typical of those with dissociative Identity disorder. in fact one of the diagnosing criteria in the DSM IV TR is that the person being diagnosed must have forgetfulness that goes outside the normal realm of forgetfulness like not remembering where you put things that every person has.

suggestions -

From reading your posts I gather you have quite a bit co-consciousness with in your system. maybe you can ask this alter why they are changing their ages. There may be a very logical and understandable reason that you all can work together on helping that alter feel ready to remain one age.

keeping a detailed diary of each host and alters activities so that when one is confused they can open the diary and read the details.

continue to work with your treatment providers on communication skills so that each within your system and the host can better work together.

[pegasus]

Pretty normal for alters to change ages when triggered actually.

(((((( Eriksplus ))))))

[Hunny]

It's so nice to be called 'normal'...lol

Yes, us too Eriks...it can be more complex than tangled thread...good work sorting through it all.

[silentwhisper]

I just wanted to say that we do have alters that switch ages when triggered. We call them sliders as they seem to slide from one age to the next. We also have had some change their ages while going through therapy to represent the growth they have made. For us some of our alters went through repeated abuse for ages while others just endured one traumatic event. The ones that were around for repeated trauma or the ones for us that usually slide and we often feel it is because of the similarities of the abuse/emotions and the age they were at that feels most relevant if that makes any sense. Sometimes inside stuff is hard to explain. Ok...it is always hard to explain.

[Elysium]

I'm not sure if I have had an alter that has changed their age when triggered or not. I have wondered about it and sometimes it has felt this way, but I've never really known for sure.

The ways of alters really boggles my mind at times and I have difficulty believing in myself because sometimes I just sit there and think about how elaborate a system can be and it seems so overwhelming. Sometimes it's easier for me to tell myself I'm just delusional and that none of it is real, but inevitably when I do that, someone inside chimes in that I'm an idiot and I need to stop being such a dork.

I do have an alter that ages with the body. She's the only one of our alters that does this, and I have one other alter who is the alter that works and she split into two alters when work stress got to be too much.

DID can be so fascinating. Scary.....but fascinating.

Glad to hear that you are able to work with your system and start to learn about it.