Posted by alexandra_k on September 10, 2004, at 22:23:16
In reply to Re: does MPD cause nuerological change?, posted by mmcconathy on September 10, 2004, at 21:25:22
> I dont know if its possible yet becuase his personality doesnt have a background to be a "full" personality, like desires, preferences. Ritchie in my view is extroverted with much of his surroundings, female magnet, witty, but is understanding to help. He's cocky in his own way but its not insulting.
They become a 'fuller' personality over time, as they get more time in control and / or as you communicate with them more, they develop and grow. My alters (friends) are very different from me. One handles the social situations around using drugs and having casual sexual relationships, a real 'party girl' which is pretty much an antithesis of me. Another takes care of work related stuff, and so forth.
> If a personality is a nice person, are they easy to switch with, do you know when you can switch?
I don't know whether there is a difference depending on whether they are 'nice' or 'nasty'. Mine aren't black and white either nice or nasty, there is aspects of both in each of them (and in me as well).
>
> What does it feel like during an entire switch?Like I said, mostly switching isn't volountary for me. When I switch I curl up into this place inside of me, and I guess it is like a dreamless sleep. I come around, and then assess the situation to figure out how much time I have lost and what I have been up to and so forth.
Have you ever read "The Solitare Mystery"? In that book he creates some characters, kind of imaginary friends to help him deal with his lonliness, and lack of social companionship. After a time, one especially (the Joker) takes on a life of his own and becomes a source of misery and anxiety. Keep your friend as a friend. Don't try to become him or let him take over. See him as a source of strength, and one day come to realise that he is a part of you. In my opinion it is playing with fire to try to become him, or to let him take control. Of course, I am full of good advice. I have chosen one path, but am attempting to reccomend the other path to you. I hope that you can talk to your T honestly about your questions and concerns.
Regarding neurological change, I think that it is fair to say that the jury is still out on that one. I think there is an article in New Scientist by Apter. He maintains that there is a significant neurological difference when a subject with DID switches into an alter, as opposed to a 'fictional' switch into an imaginary character.
But what is the significance of this finding if we do indeed grant it? Do some alters choose not to access some memories? Are some alters unable to access some memories? All it shows is that some alters do not access those memories (if we grant that memories are localised in the cortex).
I wish you the best in luck, and look foward to hearing from you more.
poster:alexandra_k
thread:387861
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040905/msgs/389452.html