[Gentle Lamb]

I strongly suspect that there are 2 of me! But, my question is this, why hasn't the so called Pros figured it out; I have taken a very extensive test several times: they don't get it

In very recent months the one that has been hidden even from me, HAS surfaced! What on earth do I do about it!?

Feeling really at a loss, not knowing where to turn or who to trust with this issue!

[finding_my_way]

unless you have an overt system, alters can be more hidden not only from you but others around them. hiding and blending in became a way to protect you, them, and the whole system.

if i would not have told my therapist about the others (who never saw or knowingly talked to an alter in the years i've been seeing her), i wouldn't have the diagnosis even though she suspected i had DID or OSDD (which are similar with minor differences). i don't have amnesia between alters or they do not come out and live their own lives, etc. which 'disqualifies' me from an actual DID diagnosis, from my understanding. but i do have distinct alters as well as others that might be considered more fragments or not as fully developed. the treatment is still the same though.

the others have been hidden from me to varying degrees, except i do recall several of them in childhood, though many more appeared in my teen years and over the years since.

so, to answer the question, they hide to protect you and themselves, the whole system, etc. they don't always want others to know they are there unless there is a reason for it. they usually will come around when they feel the time is right, they get triggered, or they feel safe to make themselves known.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by Gentle Lamb

I strongly suspect that there are 2 of me! But, my question is this, why hasn't the so called Pros figured it out; I have taken a very extensive test several times: they don't get it

In very recent months the one that has been hidden even from me, HAS surfaced! What on earth do I do about it!?

Feeling really at a loss, not knowing where to turn or who to trust with this issue!

maybe they havent figured it out because there are many different normal mental and physical health problems where a person can have as you say "2 of me"

this is what happened to a friend of mine who kept thinking they had DID. they kept telling their treatment provider "there are 2 of me" and when answering questions answered things like "yes there are 2 of me when this or that happens it feels like I switch into two different me's".... come to find out the person had ADD/ADHD which comes with sometimes perceiving herself as being two different types of personality. one happy go lucky everything is dandy and the switch into being anxious, sometimes reserved sometimes obnoxious and other problems.

another person I know who thought they had DID turned out they had brain cancer..

I could go on and on but the short of it is that there are many different things that can cause this problem.

my treatment providers have the same problem with me sometimes where I have a problem but because I have so many different normal, physical, mental and medication problems all they can do is find the one that......best fits...according to all the tests and such.

since all the tests and such are not diagnosing your "2 of me" as DID maybe you can sit down with your treatment provider and give them more information about what you mean when you say there are "2 of me" then they can explain to you how and why they see you diagnosed the way you are. it might just be a communication problem where they need to hear it from you verbally in more detail based on whats happening with in you. some times even just the 5 minute conversation doesnt do it with my treatment providers and after I go into great detail about what I mean when I say something then they get it right.

Originally Posted by Gentle Lamb

I strongly suspect that there are 2 of me! But, my question is this, why hasn't the so called Pros figured it out; I have taken a very extensive test several times: they don't get it

In very recent months the one that has been hidden even from me, HAS surfaced! What on earth do I do about it!?

Feeling really at a loss, not knowing where to turn or who to trust with this issue!

Have you tried journaling? Maybe putting things on paper can help present to your T.

And if all the parts contribute...it would be a much clearer picture.

As far as doing something about other parts presenting...in our world....there is nothing that we can do.

But if you are like the original...parts are triggered....so if you can identify the trigger.....then try grounding techniques the next time a trigger takes place.

We try to focus on objects and immersing our focus on to them, describing it in our minds or reading labels and text for dp/dr.

I hope that helps...good luck!

[dlantern]

Why are you calling it me? Is there inside communication? Is there memory cited where are the journaled instances? I think if you think about it and can't recall a memory in session the system is protecting you. It will have to wait, if you come prepared with instances that still might not help. If you want to record phone call have them listen they still could be resistant to diagnoses. Only use that with some people whom ever you think u switch with more. I would go with the social occupations distress keep sharing about that and lastly you gotta wait. Is there going to be people therapist in the way yea are you extremely safe and high functioning, then why are you in session?

Anything do you lose the keys forget clothes in the dryer do you leave food in the microwave is there an extreme emphasize to remember that still gets forgotten. Are you opening a microwave in the morning could be slow recall slow switching. I would say slow switching our be positive please help us remember the food in the microwave. Is the slow switcher mad at one the other one maybe it had a meal preference it couldnt get cryptic enough without the well it doesn't go that way in safeness. The littles could be afraid of bugs rodents etc. Keys for work that is missed time, warnings at work social distress on the way that is just a few instances this adds up over the life time tot he first alter the original.

How is your anxiety? Do you have distractions....

Sorry to be so wordy I'm in a small crisis so I'm coping....with this gossip.