[Claritytoo]

My friend told me her t wanted to talk to one of the alters that was in a room without any doors. She told me her t asked her to imagine that the room had a door. She did and the alter was able to get out of the room. Is that possible? Can we redefine the conditions of our system? I have been thinking about this for weeks. If this is possible than my system is constructed by me so if I want to add or take away I can. Has anyone else had a similar experience with their t? Or can someone explain the workings of this? There seems to be something to this but I can't figure it out.

[shlump]

If this is possible than my system is constructed by me so if I want to add or take away I can.


I don't know anything about DID, but I did want you to know that I love this thought. Anything is possible? Some say anyway. Hope you get more feedback on this.

hugs

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

My friend told me her t wanted to talk to one of the alters that was in a room without any doors. She told me her t asked her to imagine that the room had a door. She did and the alter was able to get out of the room. Is that possible? Can we redefine the conditions of our system? I have been thinking about this for weeks. If this is possible than my system is constructed by me so if I want to add or take away I can. Has anyone else had a similar experience with their t? Or can someone explain the workings of this? There seems to be something to this but I can't figure it out.

clarity yes this is possible. everyones internal system whether they have alters from DID or not is set up in a way that each person needed/needs to survive. what that means is if a person has alters that are the type I call "fluid" meaning they have the ability to learn new things, grow and evolve, that "fluid" alter can do what ever is needed to ensure their hosts survival and what is best for them.

by the way "fluid" is just my term for it. it isnt a psychology term, just the way I identify those alters of this kind vs those that have their own jobs, purposes and reasons for being.

there is such a thing as having alters that dont have one carved in stone job, prupose and reason for being. for example a child who is being abused and they dont know which way to be because their abuser may be expecting too much from them, they end up creating alters that are able to evolve into what ever the abuser needs in order to protect the host from harm.

these kind of alters are flexible and evolve with what ever is needed in order for the host to survive.

they are created the same way in which other more categorical alters are created, its just that their purpose, job and reason for being is to evolve, learn, grow.

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

clarity yes this is possible. everyones internal system whether they have alters from DID or not is set up in a way that each person needed/needs to survive. what that means is if a person has alters that are the type I call "fluid" meaning they have the ability to learn new things, grow and evolve, that "fluid" alter can do what ever is needed to ensure their hosts survival and what is best for them.

by the way "fluid" is just my term for it. it isnt a psychology term, just the way I identify those alters of this kind vs those that have their own jobs, purposes and reasons for being.

there is such a thing as having alters that dont have one carved in stone job, prupose and reason for being. for example a child who is being abused and they dont know which way to be because their abuser may be expecting too much from them, they end up creating alters that are able to evolve into what ever the abuser needs in order to protect the host from harm.

these kind of alters are flexible and evolve with what ever is needed in order for the host to survive.

they are created the same way in which other more categorical alters are created, its just that their purpose, job and reason for being is to evolve, learn, grow.

I have three alters that, I am certain of, that learn like anyone else would. I refer to them as the ones who are in the world. One goes to work, and is the one who gets involved with doing things with people,like volunteering. She is very logical and good at problem solving. I have another who is very physical, he played sports, goes to the gym, fixes the house mows the lawn things like that. He is also in the world and is very good at getting things done. There is another who used to date but we are focusing on figuring things out so she don't date. It can turn into a distraction. So she has decided to wait to see how everything works out. Each of these alters have been with me since my youth. They have learned, matured and their emotional insight towards others has evolved. And continues to. They are their own selves. They are aware of each other and consider themselves on the same level with each other. Where the others who have one job are seen by them to be dependents. Ones they have to look after. They are also aware that they are part of a system. At present they are still functioning as always. They are aware I want to have us all become one. They do not object but they do not make a special effort. They are keeping everything going while the rest of us work on what is unknown. They will help once we start to heal. I have anger/rage who take care of himself and others if he feels needed. He takes advice but he can decide not to take it. And if that happens I lose time. He has been working with me but I am also aware that he can decide not to if he felt that we needed to be protected. I always keep that in mind out of respect for him.
So what I am getting from what you have said is that the three that I mentioned can make changes to how my systems is structured. I was not consciously aware of that. What I can't grasp is how would they make the changes? Would it be with thought? And what can they change? Can they move alters out of a dark space into the light? Things like that? I am trying to understanding the process. If you have any suggestions on reading material for this inquiry please let me know. Thanks for helping me.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

I have three alters that, I am certain of, that learn like anyone else would. I refer to them as the ones who are in the world. One goes to work, and is the one who gets involved with doing things with people,like volunteering. She is very logical and good at problem solving. I have another who is very physical, he played sports, goes to the gym, fixes the house mows the lawn things like that. He is also in the world and is very good at getting things done. There is another who used to date but we are focusing on figuring things out so she don't date. It can turn into a distraction. So she has decided to wait to see how everything works out. Each of these alters have been with me since my youth. They have learned, matured and their emotional insight towards others has evolved. And continues to. They are their own selves. They are aware of each other and consider themselves on the same level with each other. Where the others who have one job are seen by them to be dependents. Ones they have to look after. They are also aware that they are part of a system. At present they are still functioning as always. They are aware I want to have us all become one. They do not object but they do not make a special effort. They are keeping everything going while the rest of us work on what is unknown. They will help once we start to heal. I have anger/rage who take care of himself and others if he feels needed. He takes advice but he can decide not to take it. And if that happens I lose time. He has been working with me but I am also aware that he can decide not to if he felt that we needed to be protected. I always keep that in mind out of respect for him.
So what I am getting from what you have said is that the three that I mentioned can make changes to how my systems is structured. I was not consciously aware of that. What I can't grasp is how would they make the changes? Would it be with thought? And what can they change? Can they move alters out of a dark space into the light? Things like that? I am trying to understanding the process. If you have any suggestions on reading material for this inquiry please let me know. Thanks for helping me.

to answer those questions you need to talk with your treatment provider. only you and your treatment providers know how and why your internal system is set up the way it is, how your alters make changes, whether or not your alters can get other alters to come out of the dark and into the light...

for some people it just takes being co conscious to have the ability to share and make changes.

for others it takes therapies like hypnosis, deep relaxation, and other types of therapy that will enable the host and alters make changes in their lives and the internal system.

for others it takes a heck of a lot of work on these traumatic events and triggers that caused the person to create their internal system of alters...

for other....well you get the picture..

each person is different so there is no one way in which the host and alters can make changes and evolve if their system is one that evolves.

there are many good books and articles on how the brain works, and topics like dissociative identity disorder, alters creations and conceptualizations of the internal system. amazon.com has well over 3000 books that are about this disorder. Im sure if you did a search on there you will find all kinds of books that fit what you are looking for. Sometimes what I do is look on amazon for what ever topic I am looking for, take down the book tittle and author, then I check with my co workers to see if anyone already has the book, if not I hit the library and the crisis centers requisition forms for purchasing new books for the crisis center. this way I get the book I need with no cost to me and the crisis center gains a book for their shelves.

[Claritytoo]

Originally Posted by amandalouise

to answer those questions you need to talk with your treatment provider. only you and your treatment providers know how and why your internal system is set up the way it is, how your alters make changes, whether or not your alters can get other alters to come out of the dark and into the light...

for some people it just takes being co conscious to have the ability to share and make changes.

for others it takes therapies like hypnosis, deep relaxation, and other types of therapy that will enable the host and alters make changes in their lives and the internal system.

for others it takes a heck of a lot of work on these traumatic events and triggers that caused the person to create their internal system of alters...

for other....well you get the picture..

each person is different so there is no one way in which the host and alters can make changes and evolve if their system is one that evolves.

there are many good books and articles on how the brain works, and topics like dissociative identity disorder, alters creations and conceptualizations of the internal system. amazon.com has well over 3000 books that are about this disorder. Im sure if you did a search on there you will find all kinds of books that fit what you are looking for. Sometimes what I do is look on amazon for what ever topic I am looking for, take down the book tittle and author, then I check with my co workers to see if anyone already has the book, if not I hit the library and the crisis centers requisition forms for purchasing new books for the crisis center. this way I get the book I need with no cost to me and the crisis center gains a book for their shelves.

I have a lot of co consisiousness but I never considered that I could change what I viewed as a fixed aspect of my system. I am facinated by this and want to know how that works. I will look online for related books. Thanks for the help.

[MomgaJupiter]

I was in a therapy group with a lady with DID before I learned about my own dissociation. She had lots of child alters and created a special home for them in her imagination. She brought in a floorplan to show us and it was really cool. There were different rooms for different ages and a hospital area for the ones who needed medical attention. It seemed to really give her relief to know that they had a place where their needs were met. Once I have a better idea of my system I'll probably do the same.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by MomgaJupiter

I was in a therapy group with a lady with DID before I learned about my own dissociation. She had lots of child alters and created a special home for them in her imagination. She brought in a floorplan to show us and it was really cool. There were different rooms for different ages and a hospital area for the ones who needed medical attention. It seemed to really give her relief to know that they had a place where their needs were met. Once I have a better idea of my system I'll probably do the same.

I know many dissociative that create safe rooms, fairy lands, concert halls, castles, caves, dens, condos, houses of all kinds, play rooms, and others for their alters.

my therapist had me create a safety zone for me and my alters when we were working on highly triggering memories, events...mine was a cottage on the beach with many trails out back leading into the woods. from there some rare few of my alters were able to create their own safety zones, one was a campsite in the woods, another was a boxcar in the woods, and another was a fairy garden.

[Claritytoo]

I am afraid to add to what's in my head. I keep thinking that if I start building stuff I will make everyone too comfortable and no one will want to come back in. I want the stuff in my head to be temperory. I don't want anyone to be in a bad situation but I am uncomfortable with creating a pretend world. It make me feel that I will get lost in it and never leave. My t has suggested that I let my little ones play oI don't do that either. Nothing is safe, no one plays. I am upset over the idea that I can creat things out of no where. If this is possible than what is real. Is it all just pretend. I'm not pretend. I'm afraid.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

I am afraid to add to what's in my head. I keep thinking that if I start building stuff I will make everyone too comfortable and no one will want to come back in. I want the stuff in my head to be temperory. I don't want anyone to be in a bad situation but I am uncomfortable with creating a pretend world. It make me feel that I will get lost in it and never leave. My t has suggested that I let my little ones play oI don't do that either. Nothing is safe, no one plays. I am upset over the idea that I can creat things out of no where. If this is possible than what is real. Is it all just pretend. I'm not pretend. I'm afraid.

I have an idea that thinking in broad terms of massively making changes may be affecting you to the point where its scarey, confusing ...

try something for a minute... rein it in to thinking small and simple version first...

question..have you ever daydreamed/ imagined something (this is the most basic (some places use the term normal ) form of dissociation there is).... have you ever done the therapy technique called visualizations/ guided meditations (both of these techniques utilize the basic (normal) form of dissociation of day dreaming. or even put your arms around yourself and pretend you are giving your self a hug to make your self feel better? or projecting (some locations use the term imagining) your thoughts into other people animals or plants? (I so this one a lot sometimes I imagine what my dogs are thinking and wonder what my cat was thinking when they did something)...

I wouldnt be surprised if you read some of your past posts and can now find examples of when you used your imagination /projection/ basic dissociation abilities.

thats basically all this is when you create a safety zone. you (the aware self) put together a thought/daydream /visualization/ guided meditation that is soothing and calming for you to use when you are under stress/anxiety/....

to start building your safety zone think about all the things you do, think about and use that brings you comfort. then you put those things together in a way that best helps you. they can be put together in your mind or in a real world room or place. from there your alters will add to that.

one thing to think about....where do you go when you dissociate....example when something starts triggering you and you start to dissociate where does your thoughts go...it does always have to be the same "place" every time...

example when I am at work and someone says something thats a bit too hard for me my thoughts go to other things like friday when a co worker dropped something it made a loud pop noise my mind went to the diner down the street thinking wonder whats for lunch today and my mind was off daydreaming about lunch, until I reined it in back thinking of my work schedule. so in that moment of stress my safety zone was the diner down the street.

not making a diagnosis here but just stating something that is the belief around here where I live and work...

everyone has the ability and uses their normal natural dissociation all the time.. some just done know they are doing so, and using it to make changes in their external and internal lives....

a person imagines what will happen if they do this instead of that, then they try it out to see.

a person doesnt like the dream they had last night will imagine a different ending, beginning or mentally try to change that nightmare so its not so scarey...

when people are abused and theres no way out they use their imagination to be in other safe places than there being abused... some people float on the ceiling others imagine complete worlds, some people imagine their selves safely behind walls, under the bed, inside mattresses, and other safe places....

they may not realize they have these safe places but every one has them.

just a guess here but I bet if you work with your therapist you and your therapist will be able to uncover where your thoughts go when you feel threatened, sad, angry, triggered to the point where you dissociate...

[Claritytoo]

I rarely go back and read my posts because it's not always me, and that is a trigger most of the time. I read what was written earlier. I know I was on this site but I didn't know exactly what I wrote. I get very confused and start feeling like I'm floating, not connected, so I don't go back and read most of what I post. If I do go back and read the post it is because I don't understand what the answer is for. I think I will talk to my t about going back and reading my posts. The thought of it unnerves me. I like what you said it makes it less overwhelming. I did have a difficult time when you ask where my thoughts go when I dissociate. I don't know. I have never thought about it. I can't think of a safe place. nothing is safe. nothing, nothing.