[peaches100]

Do any of you have alters that you recognize mostly by the emotion they hold, instead of by a certain visual image or name? In other words, do any of you have parts that each hold a separate emotion for everybody in the system?

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by peaches100

Do any of you have alters that you recognize mostly by the emotion they hold, instead of by a certain visual image or name? In other words, do any of you have parts that each hold a separate emotion for everybody in the system?

I had alters that I could pin point or recognize them due to the emotion that they in your wording held. my wording sense of agency.

my system was one where what ever emotion / situation, event that I was unable to handle emotionally or physically I would dissociate (feel numb spaced out, disconnected) and the alter that had that sense of agency would take control and handle what ever it was that caused me to dissociate.

example

Red was the alter who's sense of agency was anger
Rainy's sense of agency was sadness, depression and fear of storms
Thelma's sense of agency was everything to do with adult physical and mental love, dating,

these alters did not in your words hold the emotions of other alters. each of my alters just had their own way of being, their own emotions, what they enjoyed what they did, how much control they had, what their jobs, purposes and reasons for being were.

every time I dissociated the resulting alter that took control was the one that handled that situation or emotion that caused me to dissociate.

[L.P.]

Not exactly. I do have fragments in my system who are only one thing because they are really just fractured bits that are still stuck/exist only in one moment in time. I think most of them are 'jobs' but we do have a few that are more like emotions/reactions; ie: The Screamer. No idea why The Screamer is screaming or what it's feeling, anger or fear I dunno. I just know it's not ok.

That said, we have several others who are 'people proper', who fit into categories 'we' have given them. Like we have, for example, the sad ones or the angry girls. But they don't just feel angry or sad, although the angry girls seem to not be able to feel sad and the sad ones don't seem to be able to feel anger. But the angry girls can and do feel bored and amused, for example. The sad ones can also sometimes feel amused or even happy.

We're kinda compartmentalized with emotions like that. While there is some clear divide on who can or cannot connect to this or that emotion, there is overlap and it's never just one of us holding that for everyone else. Hope that made sense. Not sure how to better say that.

-Avery

[Amyjay]

I don't know that each of my alters holds a separate emotion although some definitely do. There are others that are much more developed as they were needed for many things and they can experience a whole range of emotions just in themselves. But there are certainly some alters that are limited to a single emotional state and I can recognize their nearness by feeling I get when they are closer to me.

[TrailRunner14]

My parts “younger ones” have different emotions and attitudes and opinions of situations.

Sometimes I feel them all at once, in the moment, and it’s like a maelstrom. It’s very hard to sort out what emotion is coming from who.

I want to validate each one, now that I’ve understood the value of it, but I get caught up in it and find myself in a not so good place. Trying to please and pacify everyone.

It’s hard work and it’s very valuable to try and get a grip on understanding it.

I’d like to say that I think in understanding that is a step forward for each part of me.

Yes. They all hold their own emotions and opinions.

[Amyjay]

Originally Posted by TrailRunner14

Sometimes I feel them all at once, in the moment, and it’s like a maelstrom. It’s very hard to sort out what emotion is coming from who.

Ooh yes, I relate to the maelstrom scenario! Those times when there are a multitude of others bearing down on me each with their own viewpoint/emotion/pressing need, all at the same time, even when some of them are diametrically opposed to one another.

Sometimes I know someone is present by a feeling. Maybe that's an emotion. I just feel their presence. They don't necessarily come out. More of listening in on the conversation or activity. Angry One is definitely a one emotion entity. Thank goodness. Hang in there!

[kecanoe]

I have parts that hold certain emotions. Shame, fear, need to please, neediness. And, like you asked, I do often recognize who is present by what feeling I am experiencing. I also, like TR and AJ have times when a whole bunch are feeling a lot of conflicting stuff. Maelstrom is the perfect word for that.

[Michael W. Harris]

Originally Posted by peaches100

Do any of you have alters that you recognize mostly by the emotion they hold, instead of by a certain visual image or name? In other words, do any of you have parts that each hold a separate emotion for everybody in the system?

In my case, I hold the emotions. I have lived with an emotional pain knot in my stomach all my life. I did not recognize it for what it was until I started trying to get therapy in 1992. It is a grief knot. I was kept in non-stop grief for the first five years of my childhood. I got continually psychologically, emotionally and physically traumatized by my Mother and two-year older brother during those five years. I innately loved them. They never "felt my pain" if you know what I mean.

But I know that I have other sides to me that do not feel that emotional pain knot. I wish I could be like that. If someone had been able to help me remove my emotions from my relationships with my Mother and Brother, I would not be as mentally ill as I am.