#programming breakdown

Programming sometimes starts to breakdown if a survivor begins to experience awareness of their programming, and information begins to be shared among parts of the system.  This can happen due to the person aging and the body/brain loses some of its ability to keep information separate.  It also can occur as a person begins to seek healing from the past in therapy. 

Some signs of programming breaking down are:

Parts of the system will want to return to handlers (Home)

Inside programmers will attempt to find parts who are defying programming, and attempt to shore up programming from the inside.

Flashbacks

Rapid switching

Attempting to leave

Confusion

They may speak in coded language

Panic attacks

Insomnia

Regression

Isolation

Repetitive motions

some alters may go mute

Become lethargic

Alters going dormant

Alters may hide

Become verbally or physically aggressive (This occurs when the system perceives a threat from the outside. The person isn't going to randomly attack people. The system will feel very vulnerable, and weak during this time.)

Alters become severely depressed, suicide attempts or completion

Self harm

Rapid switching can occur for a number of reasons, the short answer to your question is, yes.  

The purpose of DID, no matter if they are programmed or not, is to have the ability to present as 'normal' after a triggering event

Rapid switching can be the system being triggered by aspecific trigger that leads to an alter to respond to that trigger. If the trigger is a sunflower, the sunflower alter will front. If the trigger is switched to a crocodile the crocodile alter will come out, if the trigger is then a balloon, the balloon alter will front. If these triggers happen in rapid succession you have, rapid switching.

In this case, the system is doing exactly what it supposed to do, and will be 'alright' but, stressed. The triggers are a trauma response, so being 'alright' depends on what care is given immediately after the triggering that lead to rapid switching. It is also dependent on the intent of the triggering event that led to rapid switching.

Rapid switching due to programming being triggered, such as a spin program, sometimes has to run it's course. When this has occurred taking a careful look at what lead to the triggered program can assist with dismantling it and progressing.

Rapid switching due to programming breaking down is the system responding to extreme stress: confusion, fear, vulnerability, not feeling safe, feeling lost, flooding of memories, and many other things.

The rapid switching in this case can continue for hours, and can lead to hospitalization for the person. This is due to the body being unable to rest or sleep, headaches, behaviors that lead to significant self harm, suicide attempt, and whole body break down.

The outcome of this one and the system being alright is based on outside intervention to assist with stabilization.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Yes, it's possible for an alter to know they are/have been programmed. That is how there are survivors of programming that can tell their story.

Programming can and often does break down as someone gets older, some form of safety has been established, has more space from the programmer and builds outside relationships with other people.

Your ask makes sense. No worries.

Programming sometimes starts to breakdown if a survivor begins to experience awareness of their programming, and information begins to be shared among parts of the system.  This can happen due to the person aging and the body/brain loses some of its ability to keep information separate.  It also can occur as a person begins to seek healing from the past in therapy.

Can you say a bit about what some signs of programming breaking down are?

Since these two questions are similar, I’ve included them both in this answer.  

Programming sometimes starts to breakdown if a survivor begins to experience awareness of their programming, and information begins to be shared among parts of the system.  This can happen due to the person aging and the body/brain loses some of its ability to keep information separate.  It also can occur as a person begins to seek healing from the past in therapy.  It may be noted that there is some crossover between symptoms of childhood abuse survivors and survivors of trauma programming as “remembering” begins to happen.

Should programming begin to breakdown, parts of the system will want to return to handlers, who can shore up the programming.  Inside programmers will also attempt to find parts who are defying programming and will attempt to shore up programming from the inside.

When programming begins to breakdown, the survivor will have some of the following symptoms; flashbacks, rapid switching, attempting to leave, confusion, they may speak in coded language, panic attacks, insomnia, regression, and isolation.  Other alters may talk about an alter doing repetitive motions, they may go mute, lethargic, dormant, hide, become verbally of physically aggressive and suicide attempts.

The break down of programming often leads to hospitalization for safety reasons and often medications to assist with slowing down some of the symptoms.

If programming breakdown begins to occur and early intervention is possible, hospitalization maybe averted. Some of the interventions can be asking other parts, who know about the programming, to intervene in the programming that has been triggered or is breaking down.

A person experiencing these symptoms may need to reach out to outside support people in order, who may also be able to help with intervention.

You’re correct, I don’t know everything about programming as it is impossible to know everything.  However, I do know what programming breaking down looks like.

Think of it like this: There are criteria one must have in order to meet to be diagnosed with something.  If those criteria are not met then that’s not what is occurring.

I understand what you’re experiencing isn’t normal for you or the system. As you see I asked a question to help clarify what was happening so I could better understand what was going on.

When you’re ready to explore alternatives to what may be going on let me know.

Oz

original ask:

Anonymous: Hello again, regarding believing that programming could be breaking down, we are spinning a lot, mentally and needing to do it physically. We hear repetitively such as “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home there’s no place like home”, sometimes code green or green green green, the color yellow is triggering and everyone tries to avoid it at all costs. A family member told us a younger part spent hours looking for the tape of the movie which we don’t recall.

That isn’t programming breaking down.

The color yellow is a positive color used in programming. What’s the reason they are trying to avoid it?

Supporting someone who has survived programming can be difficult. The most important thing is safety.  They need to know they are safe and the alters need to know they are safe.  For safety to be achieved trust needs to be built with each alter.  This means respecting the alters boundaries even if you disagree with them. (Unless they are a safety issue) If the alter doesn’t want to tell you their name that’s alright. If they don’t want to talk to you, that’s alright. Don’t pester them about the reason they don’t want to talk. Learn their names, if they have a name you don’t like or you find offensive don’t say anything. They may interpret this to mean you find them offensive. (Programming trick)

Trust is vitally important to establish and maintain. People make mistakes and tell them you will make them. When it comes to trust work very hard to maintain their trust. Be upfront with them and tell them there are somethings you won’t keep secret. They may find this scary but they’ll understand you’re being honest. 

A lot of systems and survivors are very private. Respect their privacy. It won’t matter to them if your intentions are well meaning if you talk about them to other people they may see it as a violation of their trust. Ask them first if you can talk with someone about what is going on so you have support as well. Don’t broadcast their issues/concerns.

Survivors of trauma are extremely vigilant of their surroundings and changes can trigger them. If there is going to be a change try and let them know and ask them to tell others.

As well as being very vigilant of their surroundings they are very aware of how you are behaving. People pay attention to body language, facial expression and tone of voice before they listen to what you are saying. Be aware of how you are presenting yourself. Are you saying, “I’m not angry.” as you have fists made, talking through clenched teeth, and furrowed eyebrows? Just one of this things will lead them to not believe you. Hard task, I know. Keep in mind their survival depended on them being able to read these cues.

Make sure there is a safe space/place for people to go when they feel overwhelmed. Set up expectations when you will enter the safe place. (safety) Let them decide what they would like in the space. (Within reason) Stuffed animals, coloring books, art supplies, etc.  Set up rules for the safe area, i.e don’t use other people’s things unless they have permission.

Encourage the system to communicate with one another. It can put you in a tough position if you are the go between and you don’t want to be drawn into internal conflicts. 

Self harm can occur. Depending on the programming there can be numerous reasons for self harm. Remember self harm isn’t a suicide attempt. If you need to contact emergency services for assistance do it. Safety trumps their anger.When programming begins to breakdown the survivor will have some of the following symptoms; flashbacks, rapid switching, attempting to leave, confusion, they may speak in coded language, panic attacks, insomnia, regression, and isolation.  Other alters may talk about an alter doing repetitive motions, they may go mute, lethargic, dormant, hide, become verbally of physically aggressive and suicide attempts.

The break down of programming often leads to hospitalization for safety reasons and often medications to assist with slowing down some of the symptoms.

If programming breakdown begins to occur and early intervention is possible hospitalization maybe averted. Some of the interventions can be asking other parts who know about the programming to intervene in the programming that has been triggered or is breaking down. 

As I mentioned safety is the primary concern. Sometimes if there is enough support available someone can be with them for 24 hours a day until their system can stabilize. They can make sure the person is eating, resting, and work on grounding.