Quora - July 26, 2023: Switches

We are not yet formally diagnosed other than having some form of DDs … but when comparing our experiences to others, we are more likely to get labelled OSDD-2 or UDD.

Switching has been morphing lately. Our inner structure and composition is changing greatly and very rapidly, and this has affected how switches occur.

We have multiple systems that each have subsystems. These most often are grouped by age groups, although lately we have had systems organising according to experiences, or personality type (what we call identity streams). So a member (whether a full self, a fragment, a part, or a facet) can join more than one system.

So, someone who experience a certain type of abuse at a certain times will become a member of

1. the relevant age group system,
2. the identity stream of those specific personality traits,
3. as well as the system of those who share the same type of experiences.

We are still trying to work out what the implications of this are because it seems to be changing considerably how each of the “main” selves operates and how switching function.

These are the main types of switches that we identified so far:

• System switches
• Self-switches
• Micro-switches

I’ll detail each briefly, but mentioning Herbie first,

Herbie

Herbie (it/its) is our body. It has a unique kind of sense of self and identity. It is always present, but the degree to which it is able to contribute changes depending on the specific host.

Herbie allows us to find patterns between hosts. So, for example, thanks to its input i can answer this question somewhat confidently instead of thinking WTF, which is frequent. We do have many WTF moments!

System switches

These are the ones that people are usually surprised by. They involve complete changes of me, and I usually will not know that I have switched.

We are becoming more aware of these switches now, but they are still new to us. We have changed many hosts in the last couple of years which all seems to have had the purpose to test different neurological configurations that can support our super-system efficiently.

People will notice that I may contradict myself completely, not know certain information, and in some cases even be unaware of my multiplicity.

Some systems are totally unknown to us, so with those, I will simply not know who I am (obviously I know my legal name!). But in these cases I can carry out daily activities but will tend to be oblivious to anything outside the task I am working on.

Example, if I am in the middle of a conversation and I have a system switch, I will be completely unable to resume that conversation. If I am in the middle of doing something, I will simply stop doing it, and start something completely different.

Feelings: Headache, floaty, changes in sensory perceptions

Self and subsystems switches

Once switched into a system, then switches inside are much easier to fall into, and will usually not be noticeable by people, except by some minor body language and non-verbal communication indicators.

We are quite adept at identifying these changes with middles and littles, but it is a little more tricky with the teens, and we still don’t know how it works with adult systems.

Memory or identity loss are infrequent, although they may happen with the teen systems.

We only have had the opportunity to analyse these switches within age-based systems. We are not yet sure how Identity based or Trauma based systems manage switches within members. I’m sure there will be further posts in the future.

Example, if I am in the middle of a conversation and I have a subsystem switch, I will be unwilling to resume that conversation, but I will remember it. If I am in the middle of doing something, I may do it completely differently from how I was before.

Feelings: I will take on the feelings of the part/self, so I may inexplicably change my mood, but no feelings other than that.

Micro-switches

These are difficult to detect and are just when the mix of selves/fragments at the front changes. This happens with all systems, and they are difficult to detect except when switches are between known parts.

They are even more difficult to detect in very fragmented systems like the littles and middles.

Example, if I am in the middle of a conversation and I question if I pronounced a word correctly or if I know its meaning it signifies someone interjected. Or I might put my hood on, or pull it down, I might change playlist … etc.

Feelings: nothing noticeable.

TL;DR - Conclusion

When we first became aware of our multiplicity we used to find difficult to understand switching and used it often as a tool of denial.

Now, with more experience and a lot of observations and self analysis, we have learnt to recognise many different types of switches. Some are more manageable than others.

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