#pluralsys

First off, keep in mind that in a system, every single alter is their own person/character. They need to be written as different characters, despite being in the same body.

Have at least 4-6 alters. Systems normally do not just consist of 2 people- but they can. This rule is mostly to avoid the "one good, one evil" trope- which can be done well if done properly.

Actually flush out what trauma caused the split in the first place. This trauma originally would be ages 4-9, but other trauma later could have caused more alters to split. The og trauma caused the disorder, later traumas are causing splits/the disorder to react to trauma.

Figure out possible reactions to this trauma (as people react differently to the same trauma, and alters do to)

Break up trauma experienced between them to account for memory differences. This is only if you're writing a system with memory/amnesia barriers, but most people who intend to write a system intend to include this. This means that the "host" very well may not remember the trauma that caused the disorder

if you want to make an alter violent make sure you have a genuine motive for what they are doing, see my post about the killer sterotype

Last but not least: do. actual. research.

Not reading people's statements on tiktok. Not reading people's statements on Tumbler. Actual clinical research. The former can both be helpful for getting the right feeling for what your making, but actual research is NEEDED if you yourself are not a system.

It's important when discussing physical/body differences between headmates to preface the fact that we all still share a body and brain. Meaning, nothing can physically/genetically change just because we've switched.

For example: We have chronic stomach issues. Those happen regardless of who's fronting.

We also have ADHD, and due to it being a mental disorder things get a bit more complicated. We all have ADHD, and have enough symptoms of the disorder each that we could be diagnosed if we were each a singlet. These symptoms are not consistent across the system though.

Sam has more of the afab leaning symptoms of ADHD, and Neil has the stereotypical cut and dry amab symptoms. Wilbur has the most severe rsd, and personality related symptoms. Scar barley experiences any sensitivity to rejection and self regulates really well.

These are not the only alters with these symptoms, but the symptoms do change based on whos fronting. We still all have ADHD, if just looks different for each of us. (Which is also really interesting and if anyone has any research papers they've found of the topic we would love to read them. It's hard been hard to find ones about the actual functions of DID/OSDD beyond the formation of alters, so it would be much appreciated)

This example of mental differences pretty much carries over for everything else. The body (as a human) can do every single thing we combined can do. That does not mean Wil can do what I can and vice versa. (i.e. Wil cannot draw, Neil can draw incredibly well)

This extends not only to basic muscle memory for things like drawing or doing math (which are highly memory based) or just to physical sensations like pain tolerance (which is mainly mental thought processes and is effected by dissociation) but also to just basic physical things. Hiking is a great example of this.

I am very good at hiking, I've fronted almost every time we've done it. Sam and Neil are also very good at it.

Wil sucks at hiking. He gets winded fast, gets tired quicker, and just generally almost falls down hills a lot more.

This is due to muscle memory and skill. Despite what people may say, exercising (in ways like hiking, running, lifting, swimming, etc) does require some amount of skill. This is why (among a lot of other stuff) people who used to do this type of exercise can come back to it extremely out of shape and do far better then someone starting at that same point. It's like drawing, just for your legs.

That's were most of our physical differences come in.

If you got me and Wil to both run for a minute, I would get far father and be less exhausted, because I know how to breath properly, the right form, and how fast to actually go not to just wear myself out. Wil doesn't. I also have a higher pain and discomfort tolerance, which likely helps.

In that same way, Wil could swim father then any of us and can hold his breath almost twice as long.

We are by no means by any stretch of the imagination an athlete in body. These are just regular person ability to do things. We aren't superhuman at, it's based around our abilities, which are tied to our memories.