#natural multiple

I used to think that endos were a hate group (when I used to be anti-endo), but I want to know if it ended up being fake/misinfo. Do you know any sources that might debunk these claims?

Thank you, have a great day/afternoon/night and take care! :)

All good! Thanks for the ask ❤️

This has a bit of an odd answer - two main points are:

- this is an argument over history between a few different communities, so pretty much any/all sources are going to be made by the community. Blogs, posts, etc. So not what some people would consider 'reliable' (though in this community context, community information is what you would rely on)

- both sides have the same source issue mentioned above. Anti-endos have to use blogs to prove their point, and endos or pro-endos have to use blogs to prove their point. None of these sources are more 'reliable' than others (which is what many antis using the 'they're a hate group' argument are claiming).

(more below cut!)

Prefacing this by saying that nobody of note is actually advocating for DID to be removed from diagnostic handbooks today. Back when that happened, it was a different time and a different world.

Hypothetical: Psychiatrists discover tomorrow that a lot of people are just naturally multiple in childhood. Some of these naturally-multiple systems, when exposed to trauma, develop DID or OSDD-1. People who aren't naturally multiple but endure trauma will only have C-PTSD and could possibly have other non-plural dissociative disorders like DP/DR or dissociative amnesia.

So what happens? Do all DID systems lose their diagnosis and medical care?

No.

There are a few possibilities. Most likely, DID would remain as its own separate disorder. The disorder is still caused by trauma even if the initial multiplicity wasn't. And it would still be treated the same way.

Okay, but what if DID was removed from the DSM?

While this would be extremely unlikely, you still wouldn't lose coverage over it. If you have traumagenic DID, you also likely have PTSD. As well as other comorbid disorders such as dissociative amnesia, depression, etc. I can guarantee not a single person reading this is going to have DID as their ONLY disorder. Nobody needs a specific DID diagnosis to have medical coverage.

That's not to say that it's meaningless. The DID diagnosis is important to have in your file to know how to treat you. Any doctor should know that they are dealing with a system. And since some of these alters hold specific trauma memories, it's important to be able to work with them.

But... this could easily be replaced by "plural-informed care" where doctors are just trained to deal with systems regardless of a disorder.

Is there a tangible difference between current DID treatment and hypothetical "plural-informed care" for a system with C-PTSD, DP/DR and dissociative amnesia?

From what I've gathered, DID treatment is already mostly the same as PTSD treatment.

The tri-phasic treatment for DID used by most doctors to treat it is also used in trauma in general, and the only part specific to DID is the training to deal with more individualized parts. In this hypothetical universe, that tri-phasic model is still being used to treat trauma, because it's not a DID-specific treatment.

So the tri-phasic trauma treatment + plural-informed care is going to be roughly identical to current DID treatments.

But if this happened, what happens to final fusion?

Okay. Sure. This is one potential change I could see happening. If alters aren't seen AS the problem by many therapists, they would be less likely to push for final fusion.

But this... honestly... is probably a good thing. Not every system wants final fusion. And many that do seek it can't attain it or don't feel like they ever truly become a singlet after fusion which leads to insecurities. Making final fusion as an end goal pushed by psychiatrists adds a lot of stress to the process. While it's great for systems who want it and specifically seek it, it absolutely shouldn't be pushed by mental health professionals.

To be clear, I don't think this would change anything for systems who do want to explore final fusion with their doctors. Your therapists are there for you to support your own treatment goals. If you thought final fusion was best, then you'd probably be supported in that.

And importantly, this is already changing, with final fusion being de-emphasized as more systems are becoming more vocal about not wanting to be pushed into it. A lot of doctors are moving away from pushing this onto patients, and I think the move away from pushing final fusion is a trend that will continue as systems speak up.

So this particular change... is really just a slight acceleration of a trend we're already seeing from mental health professionals. And is overall probably for the best.

So is this all fearmongering???

Yes.

Wait! Yes? That's all you have to say?

Yeah!

Look, there is no push to demedicalize DID in the modern plural community. And while some will point to a blog from the 90s where a random system made a theory that all multiplicity was something "natural" people are born with, the modern endogenic community is filled with created systems who clearly prove that's not the case, with studies into tulpamancy systems showing plurality can be induced in adulthood. A theory of all multiplicity being natural would not just deny traumagenic systems, but also the created plurals who make up the daemonism or tulpamancy communities.

The pro-endo community has moved to a place of seeing many potential causes for plurality, with trauma being a prominent one. Many prominent leaders in the pro-endo community, like the Stronghold System who runs the Plural Association, are DID systems and embrace their diagnosis.

But sysmeds, like any bigots, need people to be AFRAID. "Look at the scary minority invading and trying to take what's yours!" It's a classic. In this case, what sysmeds are pitching is "endogenic systems are trying to demedicalize DID to take away your healthcare."

They are relying on your brain going into fear mode before taking even a moment to think critically about the claims. They want your mind screaming "oh no! I'll lose the treatment I worked so hard for!" so loud that you can't even analyze it.

There's no actual validity to the argument. It's not based in reason. It's based in fear and hate.

It's about making you scared of a scenario nobody in the modern plural community is actually advocating for, and making it out to be something far worse than it actually would be if it did come to pass.

Nobody is trying to demedicalize DID. But even if it was demedicalized somehow, there's not even a realistic scenario where traumagenic DID systems would lose treatment. And it wouldn't even have a major affect on what the treatment is because DID treatment is largely the same as treatment for other kinds of trauma.

Otherkin experience a type of alteration in their sense of self and place in the world. Some otherkin experience a shift in personal identity from human to that of a nonhuman entity, fictional character, or animal. Other people experience a slightly more elaborated form of this, and feel as though they are from another place or time, and may feel an internal location inside or sense of plot from this other time.

Being otherkin is a form of natural multiplicity that can co-occur with traumagenic multiplicity. Some kin experience their kin self as a part of themselves, others have a degree of dissociation from this self and may experience as a guide or other identity. Otherkin experiences involve an alteration in the way the person sees themselves. The experience of guides or being possessed by another sense of self is a more elaborate form of this basic experience. The difference is that in those types of experiences, the other sense of self is seen as different from the main sense of self - instead of being seen as a different mode or aspect of the main sense of self. Even if someone logically knows that all things inside of themselves are an expression of themselves, people can still feel as though they have another self on a fundamental level that defies logic.

It is possible to fully explain the phenomenon of otherkin experiences from the perspective that they are a normal shift in the way someone experiences themselves and relates to the external world, which can be intensified in their expression if this form of natural multiplicity co-occurs with trauma-induced alterations of consciousness seen in dissociative disorders. However, some people maintain spiritual explanations for their shifts in their sense of self and place, and see these changes as an indication that they were another animal or fictional character in another life and these experiences are their way of picking up on this past life. The mind treats memories of imagined experiences as well as real experiences similarly, and assigns them both an equal amount of importance.

It is easy to understand that these experiences are an expression of the contents of our memory rather than something external, although many people see it differently and enjoy the explanation that these are past lives. Using psychological therapies that re-frame past experiences or current psychological issues using fictional stories to give the person a sense of self-esteem and mastery over their life, even if it is found through a fictional vignette, does have tangible positive benefits on the self. Engaging with past life memories can be beneficial from the perspective that, although these may be false memories based on a synthesis of real and imagined scenarios, changing them into constructive experiences and stories can have positive effects on someone’s psychological state.

Shifts

Otherkin tend to experience their shifts in identity in particular ways, known as shifts. These shifts have been reported fairly consistently among people claiming to be therians. They likely represent a psychological construct that exists in the general population- not necessarily as a mental illness, although it may be related to a healthy form of dissociation- in predictable rates and expressed in particular ways.

Mental.

The person shifts into a different mental state associated with an animal or other character. In cases of significant- often but not always trauma-based- multiplicity, this shift feels like becoming another person or is forgotten entirely. This feels distinct from the general atmosphere or sense of existing from normal life, and is connected to the experience of shifting into another form in some way. This is similar to but more distinct from entering another mode or self for a different situation (such as how we talk to our friends differently than our parents), which are forms of mild natural multiplicity that everyone experiences.

Dream.

The person finds that they naturally shift into a particular form, or set of forms, while dreaming. This form is generally predictable and consistent over time. This can be helpful for someone to have evidence of what form they take when shifting, and to establish that they recurrently experience this psychological construct.

Sensory.

The person hallucinates their sense of self in some way. Their vision may feel sharper, they may see a faint outline of fur or their kintype overlaid on their body or reflections of such. This represents semi-conscious imposition, or the ability to influence what we perceive via voluntary sensory hallucinations with our internal expectations and visualizations. The way we perceive the world can be affected consciously, or by significant mental states like those provoked by the experience of shifting. Some people experience the sense of invisible wings or paws or other features or their kintype.

Narrative.

In a narrative shift, the otherkin experiences a sense of being from another world or another life. They may see something in their mind’s eye, like a story that plays out with or without their input, related to their life in another place. They may feel as though they have relationships and an entire life within this state of mind. These are likely translations of the person’s memories for their real life, imagined scenarios, and their own imagination coming to life to create something new. People who endorse spiritual explanations for these experiences would consider these past life memories or memories of being a fictive in their cannon.

Voluntary Shifting.

It is possible to voluntarily shift for people who are ‘kin. This can be useful for certain reasons. It can help the person feel in touch with their identity; it can be used for creative, psychological, or spiritual exploration; and some people enjoy the feeling of embracing their internal representation.

Mental Shifts.

Whenever you experience a mental shift, bring up a specific mental image. The image you choose to associate with the feeling of shifting doesn’t matter, although it helps if it has some kind of symbolic meaning for you. Imagine a blue diamond or a symbol from a favorite video game or whatever other symbol you have chosen whenever you experience a mental shift. Imagine the feeling of being your kintype as a rainbow thread that you wrap around this symbol. Every time you shift, think about that symbol. Eventually the experience of mentally shifting will become associated with this symbol, and whenever you visualize it you chance provoking a shift.

Looking at images or other things you associate with your kintype can also provoke a shift. In order to prompt mental shifting with this technique, it can help to think about what comes to mind easily when you shift. What aspects of your kintype or other life come to mind immediately when you look at your thoughts? The things that come to mind are associated with your mental shifting and can be used to help trigger a shift when you’re outside of that state.

Sensory Shifts.

Learning imposition is helpful here. Imposition is training the self to create voluntary sensory hallucinations. It is possible to visually hallucinate the features of your kintype or experience a physical sense of your kintype. Imposition is simple and involves training the self, after clearing the mind in a manner similar to meditation, to trick the self into seeing something that isn’t there. You see what you would be imagining in your mind’s eye. It’s easy to practice with simple things first and then move on to more complex things. Try imagining a blue line crossing between two points, like two black dots you have drawn on a paper. Within five to ten minutes of visualizing the blue line between the black dots in front of you, you should begin to get the hang of altering your sensory output consciously.

Dream/Astral Shifts.

There are two different methods of provoking astral shifting that I will mention here. Astral shifting refers to shifting into the feeling/form of your kintype during either deep sleep or light sleep.

The first method involves learning to lucid dream. There are many guides for this, although most people learn to tell the difference between sleeping and being awake by keeping a journal and looking at patterns of things seen only in dreams as well as making a habit of asking yourself several times a day if you are dreaming or not. After learning to lucid dream, come up with a symbol that you associate with your intention to shift into your kintype. Before going to bed, think about that symbol. When you question if you are awake or not, think about that symbol and your intention to shift. When you attain lucidity in dreams, think about that symbol to anchor yourself to lucidity while you are dreaming and to remind yourself of your intention to shapeshift into your kintype during your dream.

Shifts

Otherkin tend to experience their shifts in identity in particular ways, known as shifts. These shifts have been reported fairly consistently among people claiming to be therians. They likely represent a psychological construct that exists in the general population- not necessarily as a mental illness, although it may be related to a healthy form of dissociation- in predictable rates and expressed in particular ways.

Mental.

The person shifts into a different mental state associated with an animal or other character. In cases of significant- often but not always trauma-based- multiplicity, this shift feels like becoming another person or is forgotten entirely. This feels distinct from the general atmosphere or sense of existing from normal life, and is connected to the experience of shifting into another form in some way. This is similar to but more distinct from entering another mode or self for a different situation (such as how we talk to our friends differently than our parents), which are forms of mild natural multiplicity that everyone experiences.

Dream.

The person finds that they naturally shift into a particular form, or set of forms, while dreaming. This form is generally predictable and consistent over time. This can be helpful for someone to have evidence of what form they take when shifting, and to establish that they recurrently experience this psychological construct.

Sensory.

The person hallucinates their sense of self in some way. Their vision may feel sharper, they may see a faint outline of fur or their kintype overlaid on their body or reflections of such. This represents semi-conscious imposition, or the ability to influence what we perceive via voluntary sensory hallucinations with our internal expectations and visualizations. The way we perceive the world can be affected consciously, or by significant mental states like those provoked by the experience of shifting. Some people experience the sense of invisible wings or paws or other features or their kintype.

Narrative.

I make a lot of posts that challenge anti-otherkin, anti-multiple, and truscum-ish sentiments. I don’t ever do this to erase people’s feelings of confusion or discomfort when facing new ideas. I only do it to request that people find nicer ways to voice their discomfort and confusion about new ideas.

It is possible to talk about otherkin without dragging multiplicity, the trans community, self-diagnosis, mental illness, neo-pronouns, social justice warriors, what’s wrong with America, your fear for humanity, furries, and role-play into the discussion.

It is possible to meet someone who is both otherkin and trans, both otherkin and multiple, both multiple and trans, or simultaneously otherkin, trans, and multiple, without jumping to the conclusion that these issues are all the same or are somehow directly related.

It is possible to apply a critical lens to trolls who say they’re grass-kin and that lawn mowers oppress them without assuming that’s a representative example of what all otherkin are like.

It is possible to admit you don’t understand why otherkin identify as non-human without asserting that we are pretending and know that we’re pretending “deep down.”

It is possible to learn more about a new kind of identity or subculture without blindly labeling people as mentally ill over the internet.

It is possible to let other people know that your experience on Tumblr is the first you’ve heard of otherkin without assuming that that must mean otherkin did not exist before Tumblr.

It is possible to call out a behavior as immature without calling out an entire community as immature or insisting that every member of a given community must be under 18 (since there’s clearly such an obvious correlation between age and maturity on this site).

It is possible to handle your concern for other people by asking questions and learning more rather than asserting that people you don’t understand are using “unhealthy coping mechanisms” or worse, should be locked up.

It is possible to question why a particular issue like being otherkin or multiple is so important to people without jumping to the conclusion that all those people must be white, able-bodied teenagers with too much time on their hands. News flash: not all otherkin are white, and many of us are over 18.

It is possible to voice confusion about why otherkin identify the way they do without throwing around hurtful and pointlessly accusatory phrases like “special snowflake,” “attention-seeking,” and “social justice warrior.”

It is possible to say that you feel overwhelmed by the thousands of possibilities surrounding identity (whether that’s species identity, gender identity, spiritual identity, mental identity, or any other kind of identity) without demanding that people with identities you don’t understand change simply so that you won’t have to educate yourself.

It is possible to have a real discussion about the way that SOME multiples blame their own upsetting behavior on alters without insisting that the way these specific multiples are behaving proves that multiplicity is fake.

It is possible to feel confused or lost when people talk about non-medical models of multiplicity/plurality without asserting that only those who fit the DID label are “real” and everyone else is “fake.”

It is possible to question identities that seem strange or outlandish to you without simply throwing up your hands and going “well since this doesn’t immediately make sense to me, it must be bullshit.”

It is possible in 100% of cases not to call alters or headmates “imaginary friends.” Yes, that includes times when a specific multiple system (or member of one) is getting on your nerves. Yes, that includes times when you suspect a specific system is faking.

It is possible to care deeply for people experiencing clinical lycanthropy or dissociative identity disorder without insisting that otherkin and non-DID multiples are “appropriating” those things or must actually have those things and be in denial.

It is possible to express anger toward someone who is otherkin or multiple without trashing the entire community they belong to.

It is possible to set conditions upon which you will accept a person’s behavior without setting conditions upon which you will accept someone’s identity.

It is possible to personally feel un-invested in issues of gender identity without trashing non-binary trans people (or trans people in general) for caring about those issues.

I'm curious about natural multiplicity, and I wondered if anyone, who is part of a natural/non-trauma-formed system could answer some questions for me. (If you are a Tulpa system and feel the need to answer these questions, please state that you are Tulpa system... and please note that we are not necessarily looking for answers from Tulpas (we may approach this later in the blog) as your systems are built with deliberate focus and intent)

You are welcome to reblog or send us an ask on anon if you don't want to answer on your blog.

Do system members in natural systems experience a dissociative barrier (anywhere from... do you experience mild dissociation when there's a switch or during co-fronting --- and does this dissociative barrier hinder the skills and actions of others (like they don't sound the same inside as they do outside - are they missing skills that they had before (that are still possible in a human body (aka, not flying, ect)).

For that matter - do you and yours experience lost time or serious dissociative symptoms while fronting that impact your memory?

If you experience dissociative symptoms that are disruptive or unsettling, have you or yours done anything to try and improve memory or functioning (like writing letters to each other, or assigning a "memory-keeper")?

Have you noticed (or are aware of) any triggers to switching in your system (example: someone hears a song an comes out / is pulled to front).

Do natural systems have non-humanoids (like animals --- anything that doesn't walk on two legs (so excluding vampires, or other human-like creatures), including people who are not fully sentient) --- I assume this is a yes but it's a curiosity I had to ask.

If your system does not have trauma from the life in this body (or PTSD) - do you still experience memory flashes (like flashbacks, but non-traumatic).

What's the earliest age you remember having symptoms of multiplicity or dissociation (if you and yours experience it), are these symptoms something you would consider disruptive to your life? (If it's from when you were young, do you remember feeling that they were separate from you somehow?)

Do you and yours ever have power-struggles over fronting? Can people lock others from front or in front?

Does your system contain any persecutors or interject-like others (if you don't know, an interject is someone who essentially mirrors someone outside of your body, whether they be an factual person, or a person from fictional works).

How do you communicate? Can you communicate internally? Do you communicate through words or feelings or pictures, ect?

Have you sought mental health services for symptoms that relate to your multiplicity, or dissociative symptoms? Furthermore, have you ever had a therapist either diagnose you with a dissociative disorder (severe or not) or stated that you have dissociative symptoms?

And last, but not least: Do you have any family members who, to your knowledge, experience dissociation on diagnosable level (as in do they accidentally zone out sometimes, on a level that's disruptive to their functioning - all the way to severe dissociative symptoms (amnesia, fugue, DID-like symptoms, ect))?

This is all for science, so if you're willing, please answer any of the questions above that you want to (if you're going to send them through an ask, please state which number you're answering).

Thanks so much everyone!

Okay, I saw this floating around and wanted to try it, so.

1. How do you communicate? (Do you ever hear each other’s voices? Do you ever talk to/with each other out loud? Do you ever leave notes for one another? Do you ever communicate without words (using images/feelings/colors/etc.)?)

We can hear each other talking inside the head, but it's not really inside the head? We can see each other inside. We have an internal house and garden, and we can all talk to each other there. Then, when we front, we disappear from inside and sort of just are in the body. That's when we have to resort to sort of mental talking.

2. How do you find new members? (Do you find other members mostly through journaling? Or can you see and hear them?)

Usually, we know that there's someone new when they turn up in the headspace. Sometimes, they're a bit confused, but sometimes, they seem to know what's going on well enough. Sometimes, though, we don't always know that someone new is there until they're using the body and freaking everyone out!

3. How do you choose who wears what? Do you argue over clothing styles?

We've given up policing what people wear. We just wear plain looking clothes, now, and if people want to dress how they like, they can just use accessories. It's too expensive, otherwise!

4. How are decisions made in the front (consensus/majority rules/one person makes them/other)?

Teddy and I make a lot of the decisions since we have to live with them, but Madeline helps a lot, since she's usually so calm and level headed. As well, we like to take a vote from the people it will affect the most.

5. Is knowledge shared equally or do some people have access to things that other people don’t?

Oh gosh! ^^; Well, we do seem to have some sort of communal memory, because all of us know basic things like who the family is and what needs to be done, what the date is, etc. But oh wow, some of the others blow me out of the water! H is really smart, and so is Kalyn, even if she is young. And a lot of people have specialized knowledge, as well. Teddy knows so much about her fandoms, and Samantha can come up with pranks on the fly... it's all so different.

6. Can you remember things that other people in your group do? Are you aware of what happens in the front when you’re not there?

For the most part. We did have someone show up once who managed to lock everyone in the headspace and keep us from being aware of the outside world, but nothing like that has happened in a while. There are certain groups inside who can't see what another group does, but most of us can see what's going on if we want to.

7. Do you remember dreams? Are they your own? Do you share each other’s dreams?

Most of my dreams are just really silly, but Madeline is a lucid dreamer, so she sometimes creates dreams that all of us can enjoy. Otherwise, I don't know what the others dream of.

8. Do you all take responsibility when you wrong somebody as a group effort, more collective apology or do you expect the person who did the wrong to fess up?

I don't usually feel responsible when I'm not the one who did the wrong, but I always feel bad for not stopping whoever is responsible. All of us share this life, and we all need to keep an eye on each other to keep things going well. So I try to apologize, at least.

9. Is there one in your group that stays in the body for more time than the rest? (How often do your primary front-runners change? How often do frontiers switch out? Is fronting a skill that has to be taught?)

I'm usually here, but Teddy tends to be here a lot, too. Really, a lot of us front pretty often. I think it's just whoever has the most to do outside fronts the most, and I just happen to be the one with the most ties to the world right now.

10. How do you parcel out time during waking hours between work, school, hobbies, and social commitments? Is it left up to whoever is in the front or do you plan it out? How do you balance money/space usage?

Oh gosh, time. ^^; Really, whoever has a good reason to be out can do so and do what they want. We come across as really inconsistent, but I don't want to stop anyone from having the chance to enjoy themselves! We have to be careful with money, though.

11. Are there noticeable differences with who fronts? How can an outsider recognize a switch? How would I know whom in your group I’m speaking to? Do you announce yourselves? What’s the most polite way to ask who I’m talking to? What if I want to talk to (name) but (name) is out?

Of course! A lot of us are really different from each other, even if just in personality. So sudden, large changes usually show a switch. We present ourselves differently; some of us slouch, likes Teddy, but others, like Madeline, have great posture. We speak in different ways, and some of us have slight accents. Apparently, our pupils dilate when we first experience a switch. We do announce who we are if we're with someone who knows about us and actually knows us, but if someone isn't friendly with more than two or three of us, we'll usually just wait for them to ask or hint that we're not who they might think. We like it when people just flat out ask, and people are welcome to ask for someone specific!

12. Ever have someone stuck at the front? What makes you get stuck here or home?

Extremely high stress can leave someone stuck at front, but for the most part, it's all fine. :)

13. How do people compensate for not having their bodies out front (ex. not matching the body’s gender or appearance)? How does the physical body impact upon the consciousness? Particularly in cases where the gender or even species are different, does it have some profound effects on the way you’d interact with or view the world?

Most of us just try to get used to it. None of us really like the body very much, but we don't really have a choice. We just ignore it as much as possible. I think the kids have the worst time with it, since they always expect the body to be shorter!

14. What age range do you have in your system? Do younger or older front runners have a hard time not being in an age appropriate body? Do you have children/minors in your system? What, if any, restrictions do you place on their behavior, in-system and publicly?

The youngest is Ellie, who's five. The oldest is Kelly, at 34. We try to protect the children from seeing things that they shouldn't, so they're usually okay. We just don't let them try to go to school or drive, and they don't mind that. The teens, we give more leniency. Kelly gets annoyed at the age, though. Before we were old enough to drink, she rose hell almost every time she fronted!

15. If you could call what you are something other than MPD/DID, natural Plural or Multiple what other term might you use? Or do you like one of the existing ones? Do you call yourselves a system?

I like the term "natural multiple," it has a nice ring to it. And I like calling us a system, though I also like the term family.

16. How do you all decide how much of yourselves is public? Do you tell everyone that you’re multiple? Are you more comfortable around other multiples than around singlets?

Oh, gosh, we really don't tell everyone, not at all! We try our best to appear consistent to outsiders, though it's hard. When we're around people we likely won't see again, we can act however we like (Well, within reason and still being fairly polite, of course). A lot of our friends know about us, though, and our close friends have a lot of relationships with multiple ones of us. ^^ And we don't really have any multiple friends, but everyone on Tumblr seems nice. :)

17. How do you keep track of who is in your system?

How can you keep track of your classmates and coworkers? We all know each other, and some of us know others in a more or less personal way. We know each other because we live together.

19. When did you all realize you were a group? Have there always been several people in your body since birth?

Really, I can't remember a time before I knew of Teddy, Madeline, or Ellie. A lot of us have just been around since... well, forever! I don't think there's an original person here. At first, though, we thought that maybe one of us had to be the original person and the others were just imaginary, or something. But nothing changed over the years, and none of us felt any more or less real than the others, so we dropped that idea.

20. Did something “cause” your multiplicity? Do you believe in the medical model at all, for yourself or others?

I don't think anything caused it because we're nothing like the DID systems I've seen. And I definitely believe in DID! Why shouldn't the mind be capable of developing other personalities later in life?

21. Tell me about your ideas on integration and separateness. How does it affect your worldview?

Well, since we don't think we came from one source, I don't think integration is really possible for us.

22. Does anyone in your household/group lose time?

I thought I already answered this? ::scrolls up:: Oh! I get it. No, no one loses time; we're either using the body or inside.

23. Does your system as a whole deal with other kinds of neuroatypicality? Do individuals?

We think I might have Social Anxiety Disorder, and Markus has PTSD. Rose is depressed and has an eating disorder. I don't think the system does as a whole, though.

24. How are your memories stored (each person has her or his own/different people store different types/some are personal and some are shared by everyone/other/combination)? Who has access to memories (only the person there/only certain people/anyone they affected/need to know basis)?

I think there's a group memory, somehow, but everyone has their own memories of the outside world from their own perspective and individual memories of their life on the inside world.

25. Is anyone’s identity tied to the body? How do people whose self-identification does not match the body deal with it? Does anyone in your group use the body’s birth certificate name?

Not really. We all just have to learn to deal, somehow. We've always been like this, so... I sort of go by the body's name? We're named Jennifer, and I respond to that, but... I always get uneasy, wondering if that's really my name or if I just learned to respond to the body's name for convenience.

26. Do you have a group name? How did you get it?

A House in Pieces, I guess? We chose that for Tumblr, but we like it, so. :P

27. How are relationships handled in your group? Do you have in-system relationships? Out-of-system relationships? Is the body functionally asexual, monogamous, polyamorous or something else?

It's really complicated! Some of us are gay, others bi, others straight, other asexual... it's all so complicated. >//< We've had a girlfriend before, and she knew about us and was actually involved with a lot of the main fronters in varying ways. But we haven't really dated many people because it's so hard for us to agree on someone! Thankfully, it's not too much of an issue because we're not too interested in romance right now. We think we're probably going to have to present as polyamorous in the future, though, because I'm starting to really like someone, but she's a girl, and Teddy wants a boyfriend this time. ^^;

And we have had in-system relationships before.

28. Do you celebrate any birthdays? The body’s? Individuals?

We love to celebrate the body's birthday because cake and presents are wonderful. :3 Otherwise, we don't really have individual birthdays unless someone ages at a time other than the body's birthday (aging is sporadic with some of us, and most of us who do try to stick with the body).

29. Any advice for someone who is trying to figure out if they’re multiple, or for a new multiple just getting to know their system?

So suck it, Teddy, I can too figure out shit. XP

Here it is: http://never-settle-for-second-best.tumblr.com/

You should follow me because you can. XD