Q: How many alters are there?
A: The number of alters is explained by 3 factors:
1. The severity of the trauma;
2. The chronicity of the trauma; and,
3. The degree of vulnerability of the child. Thus, the multiple from ages 7 to 10 who was sexually abused a half-dozen times by a distant relative is going to have far fewer alters than a multiple who was severely physically, sexually, and emotionally abused by both parents from infancy to age 16. The latter patient, in fact, could quite easily wind up with 30 to 50 (+) alters, even in the hundreds. It's important to remember that every person is different, so there may be some people with many alters and not that much abuse; or a lot of abuse and not that many alters.
Q: How could a person have so many different personalities? and How would you tell the difference among them?
A: The answers to these questions require a clarification of several points.
First, MPD is a misleading term -- DISSOCIATED SELF DISORDER would probably be better. There is but one self that is dissociated into multiple parts. MPD tends to be misunderstood to mean "multiple self disorder." In fact, there is only one self, however divided or dissociated it may be.
Secondly, there are usually only 3 to 6 alters who are particularly active (e.g.: assuming full executive control) on any given day. The rest of the alters are relatively quiet (even dormant for long periods of time).
Third, THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES BE VISIBLY DIFFERENT TO AN OBSERVER. It is only necessary that each alter fulfill the basic function of an alter personality -- that is, to protect the host personality from the knowledge and experience of the trauma. This task is accomplished by means of Dissociative barriers or walls of amnesia. Thus a multiple could conceivably have dozens of alters that look just the same, but who, nevertheless, serve the function of walling off trauma from the host (and dispersing it among many alters). The answers to the above questions can now be more easily understood in light of the basic task of an alter personality. If the "raison d'�tre" of alters is to sequester trauma from the host so that he/she is able to continue to function without becoming overwhelmed, then additional alters may be produced to help contain the trauma. It is not required that these new alters look different, nor is it necessary that they all be active at one time; it is only necessary that they do their job (of containing the trauma of the abuse).
Q: What types of alters are there?
A: I will take a moment here to mention that just as one person is not the same as another, no two MPD's have the same mix of alternate personalities within them. (in MPD circles we call the community of internal family members/alters a family/system). Each multiple (A nickname for someone with MPD) has a different history, so does each family member/alter within a multiples system. This is only a list of the most commonly found family members/alters. Some families/systems may not have all of these or may have some not even on the list.
The typical family members/alters that are found in a person with MPD include:
Core: Almost all families/systems have a core personality. It is usually the "original child" who went away during the act of abuse that caused the first family member/alter to come out.
Host: Usually scared, depressed and has no clue s/he could be MPD.
Protectors: Strong, angry family members/alters some have the responsibility to keep the children family members/alters safe. Others have the task of keeping the secret of the abuse.
Internal Self-Helper (ISH): Who knows a lot about the internal family/system and wants to help everyone for the greater good of all. Sometimes they know a great deal of information about each family member/alter and are usually great help in the therapy process.
Fragments: Not fully formed alternate personalities. They only have a single memory or two about specific abuse acts.
Child Members/Alters: Range in all ages from an infant to age eight or so. Child members/alters behave like children. They want to play, color and watch cartoons. Those that suffered abuse are often times destructive and depressed.
Preteen (Tweens): Range in age from 9-11.
Teenager: Members/alters are between 12 and 18 years of age. They are typical teenages, smacking bubble gum, listening to loud music, wanting to go to parties and hanging out with other teens.
Adults: Members/alters in the family/system over 18 years old. They are very individualistic and may have many talents the host does not have.
Within the categories of Child, Preteen, Teen and Adult members/alters they can be sub groupings of personalities that can be any of the following:
Artistic/music: Members/Alters who enjoy music and artistic pursuits often times create beautiful works of art that the host has no idea where they come from. The host also has no talent him/her self to ever create such a thing.
Cross-gender: Members/Alters who are the opposite sex of the physical body. They may or may not have a different sexual orientation than the host.
Cross-colored: Members/Alters that are different races then the physical body.
Animal members/alters: Any form of animal, but mainly powerful fighters, born to protect. (Examples wolves or werewolves, dragons, tigers, vampires etc.)
Inanimate members/alters: Objects void of feelings, seeing, hearing, speaking (ie.: rocks, trees, walls).
Q: How common is MPD?
A: Although the data are not all in, the best estimate of the prevalence of MPD is that it approximates that of about 1% of the population. This estimate would translated into at least 2,000,000 cased in the US alone.
Q: Why so many?
A: Because MPD is directly linked to the prevalence of child abuse. And, unfortunately, child abuse is all too common.
Q: How impaired is the person with MPD?
A: The range of impairment across different persons with MPD is best analogized to that of alcoholism. Impairment due to alcoholism a) ranges from skid row bums to high functioning senators, congressman, and corporate executives; and, b) varies in any given alcoholic from one period of time to another as a function of binges, patterns of drinking, life stresses, etc. It is much the same as MPD. There are some multiples who are chronic state mental patients, others who undergo recurrent hospitalization due to self-destructive behavior, and many more who raise children, hold jobs, and may even be high-functioning lawyers, physicians, or psychotherapists.
Q: How Does Being A Multiple Help?
A: If you are a multiple alters have, for the most part, your good friends. They have come to your rescue, endured pain for you, and they have hidden lots of your feelings when it wasn't safe to
have those feelings and when you couldn't find a safe person with
whom to share them.
Q: Is It Bad To Be A Multiple?
A: Certainly not. Being a multiple helps some to stay alive. It allows them to protect themselves and remain sane in the face of severe abuse. It allows them to endure the bad times and to keep
their heart and soul safe from their abusers.
Q: Am I Crazy?
A: Being a multiple does not make you crazy, but being a multiple can make you feel like you're crazy. If you doubt yourself this way, you can become confused or uncertain. You can also feel ashamed, frightened, or want to spend time alone. This self-doubt and confusion can make you feel badly about yourself.
Q: How long will it last? Does it go away on it's own?
A: A person who is "multiple" will remain "multiple" until successfully treated. About 90% of "multiples" are totally unaware they are MPD. The symptoms of MPD wax and wane. A person who is "multiple" may appear to be fine for years and then suddenly begin
to have strong symptoms -- usually due to flashbacks of past trauma. MPD/DID IS treatable but does not just go away on it's own.
