[greenpepper]

hi all,
started with a new T and shes talking about IFS, internal family structure - anyone know about it?

thanks,
pep

welcome...

Haven't heard the "term" IFS... specifically....

I refer to my "insides"... as my "system".... ie... my alters... and who they are... and how each relates to each other... and who has co-consiousness with who...the ages.... and eventually... the memories.. that they each hold..

then.... I've heard it as "putting the puzzle" together.... each alter having a "piece" - a memory... so mapping each alter... and such...

and.. the T... knows my alters... and is able to negociate for us.. so that... we can make "deals"... hence - knowing our system works to our advantage...

He... can talk to one alter... who doesn't have co-consiousness with another... and then relay the info to another.. and then.. back and forth... the goal.. is to get co-consiousness between the two alters.. so... that they can communicate without him... and some day intergrate..

so... have heard it as mapping... the system.. within....

[sunrise]

Yes, I have. It is like a family therapy application of ego state theory. In this model there are three different types of ego states postulated: managers, exiles, and firefighters. And there is also the executive or self (the one I think of as "me"). For example, I have several younger ego states who were borne of trauma and they would all be classed in the exile category. I also have an adult ego state who is a manager type and helps protect the "exiles."

I really like this model.

Here is a website I have read at on this Internal Family Systems model:
http://www.selfleadership.org/ifsmodel.asp

????

For DIDer's.... wouldn't this be a very complex way of trying to manage alters??? I think my alters would get "lost"... in even trying to understand... the concept....

so..how would... one go about even identifying.. each alter in one of the 3 category??

It sounds interesting... but complex...

[greenpepper]

thanks freewill for explainin some about sytstems - i think its kind of the same is ifs, tho not sure yet.

thanks sunrise for the link. ..i'll try going there again when can concentrate better

didnt mention my new T gave me a book to read this week, its hard for me to focus on it.....(told her it should have pictures...haha) ...part of me is mad that i got homework on week 1, that just doesnt seem right. i wonder if she gave me this book cuz fight the idea im DID and this gives me the permission to address parts? i dunno what im talking about. so i'll stop here

i'm grateful for this site, that much i do know

( ( (((((((((((( ( ( ( huge safe cyber hug for those who can use one today )))) ))))) )) ))))))))))))) ) ) )

[sunrise]

greenpepper, what book are you reading? Is it good? I am looking for some help in understanding parts.

freewill, my understanding (from reading at that website) is that IFS is not used to "manage" alters. It is just a model for understanding our internal parts/ego states. You can still have your same alters or ego states. It's just a way of thinking about them and puts them into a family therapy model for working out their differences. I'm not sure it is useful to me practically or not in thinking about my ego states, but it was definitely interesting reading. freewill, I'm also not sure of the application to DIDers. When I read it, I thought it was an outgrowth of ego state therapy and wasn't necessarily intended for DID. greenpepper, I am very interested in how your T will use this model with DID.

[greenpepper]

hi sunrise,

that book is called introduction to famiy systems model by richard schwartz. i havent read much yet or know what the new T plans on doing with it so cant say much.....yet anyways.

i wish i knew whats wrong with me what would help and what i need...