[Rive1976]

My therapist (who is not a DID specialist said she believes one of my alters came at 14 along with my authentic self. Can new alters form at any age you need them to? Is there such a thing as a authentic self in DID?

[Betty_Banana]

Have you asked your therapist why she believes one of your alters came along at 14? She would be the one to ask about it. It's possible you went through extreme trauma at that age that you are unaware of. It's possible that alter has talked to her about it and you are unaware. Or maybe one of your other alters told her. There's quite a few possibilities,she could even just be assuming or guessing.You really should be talking to her about it,that way you will know.

Authentic self? I'm not even sure what that means. You need to ask her about it.

Sorry I am not being helpful.Most things that are about you and your DID are best figured out with your therapist though.

[vultureculture]

14 year old alter

For me at 14 there was entry to high school ending a reenactment (sexual one) behavior clinging towards family sports and eating. Putting away a behavior and focusing on school. If I think this is my core self as well all have to do is separate those are would promote our switching her at P.C which is fine with me escapism. I'm going for cooperation not integration so make sure you align yourself with those that are promoting what is the best interest based on your testing of the waters. I would think the authentic self is to relate to you all in this forum on the topic. At 14, Since there is still a life to live I would focus on those few things that helped me understand my own history. I got an alter at 14 years old too those that help me understand to being vulnerable about its good and bad points is what I just mentioned here in the post. I still believe in grieving although mostly cooperation is necessary!

Good luck in your journey

[Rive1976]

Originally Posted by Betty_Banana

Have you asked your therapist why she believes one of your alters came along at 14? She would be the one to ask about it. It's possible you went through extreme trauma at that age that you are unaware of. It's possible that alter has talked to her about it and you are unaware. Or maybe one of your other alters told her. There's quite a few possibilities,she could even just be assuming or guessing.You really should be talking to her about it,that way you will know.

Authentic self? I'm not even sure what that means. You need to ask her about it.

Sorry I am not being helpful.Most things that are about you and your DID are best figured out with your therapist though.

She said authentic self is who you are regardless of your alters (different aspects of you that you created because of trauma). She said even people with DID have this core self. Their main personality. I was under the impression there was no core or authentic self with DID.

[vultureculture]

What are the characteristics of a personality?

Personality Traits & Personality Types: What is Personality? Five major traits underlie personality, according to psychologists. They are introversion/extroversion, openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness and neuroticism. What makes someone who they are?

In my higher self this is as far as the research has gotten me and my therapist.

For your post Rive1976, why don't you try to base your core self with what you all do from time to time and make a dominant map list

Make sure you read what a Host is too. Then streamline all you read and make sure this is what I only beleive like limits are important. My lcsw taught me limits are important although you will run into a lot of factual information.

I will help you out from time to time just meet up here and let me know. I'm a little unsure too

[Betty_Banana]

Originally Posted by Rive1976

She said authentic self is who you are regardless of your alters (different aspects of you that you created because of trauma). She said even people with DID have this core self. Their main personality. I was under the impression there was no core or authentic self with DID.

I didn't word my post correctly. I know what authentic self means.What I don't understand is why she told you that your authentic self came along with the alter at age 14.

You need to get her to explain what made her say that so you can understand