What is an Introject alter?

Introjects are alters that are based off outside people or characters. Fictional introjects specifically are based off of fictional characters. These characters can be from television shows, movies, books, fantasy, and other forms of fiction.

How do you know if you are an introject?

A child might take on elements of parents' personalities or beliefs by adopting their political ideology, concept of right and wrong, or ideas about sex. When people introject, they identify with a person or object so strongly that they cannot separate that person or object from themselves.

What does introject mean DID?

In simplest terms, an introject is an alter who resembles the original abuser. This alter will look like, act like, and speak like the original person. They may bully or terrorize other members of the system, or even abuse them internally, so that it feels like the abuse literally never ends.

What do persecutor alters do?

A persecutory alter is another name for an alter that persecutes the host and/or the system. It is an alter that mistreats, controls, and oppresses a DID system in an effort to create, manipulate, and coerce a desired behavior.

What is introject system?

In systems, introjection can sometimes create system members. This is when a system member is based off of an external figure such as an object, person, or character. In Dissociative Identity Disorder or Other Specified Dissociative Disorder, these system members are commonly called introject alters or copy alters.

Misunderstood "Alters" Introjects: Real People and Fictives

Can you have an introject of a real person?

Some people believe that fictional introjects are fake, and cannot occur in a real DID system. Others believe that fictives exist, but only within certain limitations. It's important to validate that fictional introjects, or fictives, are a real part of DID systems.

Can alters be in relationships with each other?

Forming Relationships With Alters Requires Open Communication. Open communication is important when managing DID. For those with co-conscious alters, communication is similar to talking with any other person, just without the presence of a separate physical body.

What does switching alters feel like?

Strong, uncomfortable emotions. Extreme stress. Certain times of the year. Looking at old pictures.

What does it feel like when a new alter forms?

One person described having alters as all being together, riding in the same car, with each person taking turns driving. Another person described the experience of alters as feeling like being on a bus full of people; sometimes it's loud and scary, while other times it's quiet and calm.

How do you know if you have alters?

What types of alters are there?

Can an alter disappear?

✘ Myth: You can kill alters.

The part may have gone into extreme hiding, been momentarily immobilized, or merged with another part of the mind, but they most assuredly did not and can not disappear entirely or “be killed”.

How do DID alters work?

What Does Treatment For DID Look Like? Treatment for DID consists primarily of psychotherapy with hypnosis. The therapist attempts to make contact with as many alters as possible and to understand their roles and functions in an individual's life.

What is an example of introjection?

Introjection occurs when a person internalizes the ideas or voices of other people-often external authorities. An example of introjection might be a dad telling his son “boys don't cry”- this is an idea that a person might take in from their environment and internalize into their way of thinking.

What is an introject in psychology?

n. 1. a process in which an individual unconsciously incorporates aspects of external reality into the self, particularly the attitudes, values, and qualities of another person or a part of another person's personality. Introjection may occur, for example, in the mourning process for a loved one.

What is negative introject?

Negative introjects are unconscious, self-defeating thoughts that often stem from disturbing messages received in childhood, which interfere with mental health, happiness, and success.

How are alters created DID?

Our basic assumption is that alter personalities emerge due to an unsuccessful attempt of the person to process a traumatic experience. Hence, we propose that the goal of their emergence is processing the unresolved experience.

How do alters get their names?

The names of the alters often have a symbolic meaning. For example, Melody might be the name of a personality who expresses herself through music. Or the personality could be given the name of its function, such as “The Protector” or “The Perpetrator”.

What triggers switching?

There are a variety of triggers that can cause switching between alters, or identities, in people with dissociative identity disorder. These can include stress, memories, strong emotions, senses, alcohol and substance use, special events, or specific situations. In some cases, the triggers are not known.

How can you tell if someone is faking DID?

Individuals faking or mimicking DID due to factitious disorder will typically exaggerate symptoms (particularly when observed), lie, blame bad behavior on symptoms and often show little distress regarding their apparent diagnosis.

Can I have DID and not know it?

The problem people with DID have, though, is not that they mistakenly believe they are more than one person, but that they literally have more than one “personality.” Because of the way DID rewires a person's brain, it's possible to suffer from the disorder for years and not even know it.

Can an alter become a host?

In psychology and mental health, the host is the most prominent Alter, state, or identity in someone who has dissociative identity disorder (DID) (formerly known as multiple personality disorder). The other personalities, besides the host, are known as alter personalities, or just "alters".

How do you get your alters to talk?

How do I talk to my child about alters?

Communicate with your younger alters as you would any child. Try to use a soft tone and be encouraging. Explain things in ways a child could understand. Be patient.

Can you have DID at 14?

People of any age, ethnicity, gender, and social background can develop DID, but the most significant risk factor is physical, emotional, or sexual abuse during childhood.