You're a 'System'??

DID/OSDD Common Terms

There are many terms that are relative to DID/OSDD. For a highly informative list we recommend checking out "DID Research.org". Here is the link to the section we are referring to here:

https://did-research.org/home/glossary.html

This includes an extensive list of glossary terms used when discussing the topic of DID/OSDD. Our list below will not be as long and will mainly consist of terms relative to our system and the generalizable experience that comes with the disorder.

We understand that it is a lot to take in and that is okay! You do not have to know every term off by heart - even we struggle to remember what certain things mean sometimes :)

[Note: Please visit this site! They also have a lot of useful information! https://traumadissociation.com ]

Glossary of DID/OSDD Terms

System: used to refer to the multiple state of a person with DID/OSDD as a whole rather than as each individual identity, eg. "My system has four trauma holders"

Alters: used to refer to the individual identities within the system. Abbreviation for 'alternate states of identity', otherwise known as: others, headmates, voices, parts, or anything the system prefers to refer to them as

(we prefer to refer to each other as "the others" or "headmates")

Host: the person who spends the most time in the body and is most responsible for completing day-to-day tasks

Fronting: when an identity is in a state of consciousness and can respond and react to the physical world. They are in control of the body and are the most aware of what is happening

Co-fronting: when there is more than one identity in the state of consciousness and can respond and react to the physical world. They both may have control of the body at the same time to certain extents

Inner World: also referred to as the Headspace. This is a state of being within the brain where the system coincides and interacts with each other. Each inner world is different and may represent the physical world or may represent something entirely different. It is made to accommodate the needs of the identities present within the system

Co-con: (co-conscious) refers to more than one identity being present in the conscious mind. Those who are co-con can have different levels of awareness of what is happening in the physical world and cannot control the body. It is common that a lot of communication can easily happen with a co-conscious identity and influence is also common

Switch/Switching: the process of changing control between two identities, when one no longer has control of the body as the other fronts. This can be triggered, consensual, forced, slow, rapid, unnoticeable even within the system, etc.

Flashback: a relived experience of a past traumatic event. May be physical, emotional, covert, overt, or anything in between. These may be acted out or have a strong impact of the person's response to the current events

Covert: to not be openly acknowledged or displayed. "My system is covert, meaning we are well hidden and you will not know when a different person is fronting"

Overt: to be done or shown openly; plainly apparent. "Some systems are overt and may present as highly distinctive identities with obvious physical changes (clothes, mannerisms, etc.)

Amnesia: A loss of memory that may be partial or complete

Black out: when one or more identities are completely unaware of what is happening to the body whilst they are not fronting. Often recognised as a loss of time but can be hard to notice

Derealisation: episodes where a person feels as though the world around them is not real. They may not recognise or feel out of place in environments they are usually comfortable in and may perceive others as figments of their imagination

Depersonalisation: episodes where a person feels as though they are not real or as though parts of them are not real, under their control, or connected to them. This may come in the form of not recognising their reflection in the mirror, or perceiving parts of their body fake or an imposter of their being, or even perceiving themselves as part of a video game being controlled by someone else

Disorganised Attachment: a type of torn attachment that results from parental unavailability, lack of affection, neglect, or abuse

Passive Influence: Refers to intrusions from an identity that is not currently using the body. This can occur in the forms of thoughts that aren't yours, memories, emotions, urges, actions, etc.

Splitting/Split: where another identity is formed due to traumatic events or extreme dissociation