[Claritytoo]

When I am in session I switch. Who ever wants to talk can. This has been good for us because some of us would never get a turn to be heard. We like being able to talk in session. Today I was talking to t and let her know that we have different eye movement for who ever is out. Some of us look to the left some to the right, some look around the room or at the ceiling. There is almost a rhythm to it. If one is out and than another decides to talk I notice a difference in how we look around the room or what we look at. Some will look at our t but most look at specific locations in the room when we come out. Is this something that anyone else is aware of? Does anyone else notice a pattern to how they look around them when a particular alter is out?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Claritytoo

When I am in session I switch. Who ever wants to talk can. This has been good for us because some of us would never get a turn to be heard. We like being able to talk in session. Today I was talking to t and let her know that we have different eye movement for who ever is out. Some of us look to the left some to the right, some look around the room or at the ceiling. There is almost a rhythm to it. If one is out and than another decides to talk I notice a difference in how we look around the room or what we look at. Some will look at our t but most look at specific locations in the room when we come out. Is this something that anyone else is aware of? Does anyone else notice a pattern to how they look around them when a particular alter is out?

I never noticed because I was never there when the alters were out, I didnt have that co consciousness ability.

that said my treatment providers have told me its pretty normal for each alter to have their own jobs, purposes, reasons for being, their own way of being, even how they show them selves to the world.

example one of my alters loved looking at the ground, inspecting each grain of sand, each strand of thread or yarn or grain of wood. just the way that alter was...curious about the minute details of life, environment.

where as another of my alters refused to look at anything, or any one, just sat there with her hands over her face/eyes...shy, scared and quiet.

Another alter of mine had no problem busting out in joyful, cheer, lots of eye contact, totally enjoying being around people, places and things.

my own treatment providers called the way my alters were as being categorical the DSM 5 uses the term distinct. some locations call this compartmentalized, well, defined ....

there are many different terms for having alters that have their own way of being, even if their own way of being is having their own way of looking at others and their environment.

[innocentjoy]

I have different body language, some of which includes the eyes. I've noticed my eyebrows, and how big my eyes are change. Also, one part just stares in her lap or scrunches her eyes tight because she's scared of eye contact, while another glares right at the person they are talking to because she's more defiant. it is interesting that you've noticed. Do you know why the difference? It migth help you learn more about them, what they find safe, what they are stressed about. If there is something on a shelf that one likes or a picture on the wall, etc, that might give you some clues as to their interests, to help build trust and communication between you.

Not sure if that's what you're looking for, but it interested me!
IJ

[Claritytoo]

Thank you amandalouise and innocentjoy. I wasn't thinking about that behavior as just being their way of being. Sometimes I over think things. And I also never thought to pay more attention to why they might be looking at things the way they do. I know I have a part who is sometimes out in session, he always looks at the door. I know that he always thinking about leaving session. We have come close but we haven't. Maybe once, You both have given me other ways of looking at how they experience the things around them when they are out. It gives me a lot to think about. I wanted to include that I also have one who keeps her eyes closed. She does that so she can focus when she is talking to t. If she opens her eyes and starts to look around the room she will be pushed back and who ever is triggered by what she sees will come out. It is sometimes a real struggle for her to stay out. She has a lot of information about the system and they are not always happy with her mentioning their private thoughts. She is always trying to help and she talks more like an observer. But if she opens her eyes she usually can't stay. Thanks again