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Glossary

 Updated: 12/05/06

  Some of these terms we don't personally use, but they are included because they do come up in relation to Multiplicity.

  age sliding

A term meaning "having a fluctuating age". ("Age" is relative and we use it to mean "apparent age" and not literal age.) This can be a mentality slide, a body-appearance slide, or both. Some slide back and forth between two ages (only age 4 and only age 15). Others slide all up and down a particular age range, and the age might not be easily determined other than "today I feel small, yesterday I felt older". For some it's a one time slide from a child into a teen or an adult, and it may be permanent. We aren't sure what causes some individuals to slide while others do not. A slide from an adult into a child could be caused by stress or distress. Some can also choose for themselves when they are ready to become an adult and their decision may trigger the slide. Sliding upwards in age doesn't always mean progress, the same as a slide downwards doesn't always mean a failure.

  alters

The medical definition states that alters are created "for the purpose of operating the body so that the person will survive life-threatening trauma." Since this is not the case for our group, we do not use this term. Also used: ego states, inners, insiders, parts, personalities, personality states.

  birth person

This is the one who was originally born with the body. This term also coincides with the idea that all Multiples are born as a single individual and are later split into more than one due to trauma. This may be true for some Multiples, but not for all. For our group, it seems nearly impossible for us to identify such an individual among us. There are many in our group who were always here, it seems. Also used: birth identity, core personality, host, original person, original personality, original self.

  body name

The name put on the birth certificate when the body was born. This name may or may not be used by anyone else within the group.

  core personality

See Birth Person.

  co-conscious

To share consciousness with one another. To be aware of not only oneself, but the others in our group who we live with. We are able to share certain memories and emotions in such a way that can make us appear to be a single individual because there is no pause to regroup or moments of missing time when we may "shift".

  co-running/co-presence

When more than one person is at the surface. There are times when more than one of us have access to the body at the same time. Whether it's to read something, participate in a conversation, watch television or any other activity.

  DID

Dissociative Identity Disorder

  DSM-IV

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; the main diagnostic reference of Mental Health professionals in the United States of America. The actual diagnosis code for DID is 300.14

  fragment

A fragment is one within a group who is not a "complete person". They may not have fully awakened, have access only to a particular memory, or even have only one function. A fragment may one day become a more complete person, they may remain the way they are, or even disappear. We haven't had many dealings with fragments.

  fronting

A term meaning "one who controls the body", whether it is in a sharing capacity, or as an observer. We consider anyone who can observe and witness what happens in the earth realm to be Fronting (even if they aren't controlling the body in any way), otherwise they are back in our home realm.

  fusion

Another word used with integration.

  gateway

We have seen this term used to describe larger groups, or groups containing immense realms who can access this earth realm via the body - a gateway. We consider the physical body our gateway to the earth realm via different access points in our own realm. For us, we don't use the word to describe our group, but rather to describe the body.

  healthy multiple/plural

Believing that being Multiple is not a disorder that needs to be cured. We consider ourselves to be a healthy group.

  host personality

Some use this term to define the one who "fronts" more than any of the others. It seems to be a word used by therapists for the person they "deal with" the most in therapy. Personally, we understand and are a bit offended by this term. We understand the definition, but dislike the term itself. The word "host" sounds to us as if there is only one "true" individual and the rest are parasites. Maybe a bit extreme, but that's what we think of. See also: Birth Person

  inner self helper (ISH)

This apparently is the individual within a Multiple group (guardian or helper) that the therapist learns the most about the rest in the System. The characteristics we've found online are: Knows all about history of patient and can predict short term future; talks intellectually instead of emotionally, carefully chooses precise words; and such things as believing in a higher purpose, etc. Apparently, every system has an "ISH" specially designed to fill the therapist's every whim. We wish we had an all-knowing individual in our group.

  inner world

An inner world is a place where everyone within a group resides. The world may only include one building or it can contain entire planets and more. Not every group has an inner world. We prefer the term "realm" or even "dimension". Also used: astral, headspace, in-house, internal landscape, real world, within.

  integration

The ultimate goal of most DID/MPD therapy. Most therapists believe that by forcing those of a Multiple group to "merge together", this will create one happy original person. Perhaps this may work for some, but our group has no desire to pursue this option in order to feel healthy.

  littles

A term used specifically for the younger people within a Multiple group. We prefer to call them kids or children.

  losing time

Some Multiples talk of losing time. This can mean that something happened in which another may not recall. An hour may have passed, but there is no memory of what took place. This can happen because of stress or even lack of communication/connection between others in a group. Losing time is also seen as a "symptom" of being Multiple.

  mapping

Used in therapy as a way for a patient to understand their system better. They may be asked to draw a genealogical diagram or map of everyone in their group and what they believe their functions to be. The problem with this is it can force a system to assign "jobs" to those in their group, making them feel like this job is all they exist for. Though we have found map-drawing our world to be fun.

  median

This appears to be an individual who can feel the presence of others, yet these others are not "complete" forms, in such a way that they can't function without the individual who may have manifested them. This term is unclear to us. source

  mpd

Multiple Personality Disorder

  multiple

This is a common word we've seen used to mean "more than one individual sharing a single, physical body". That is an easy enough way to define it. We don't refer to this word in the plural, unless talking about several separate physical body-groups. We try to avoid saying "the other Multiples in our group" because for us this can literally mean other smaller groups instead of referring to separate people. Everyone is an individual in our group, unless they themselves wish to be referred to differently. We see it as a lifestyle and not an illness or disorder that needs to be cured. Also used: Plural.

  original personality

See Birth Person.

  otherkin

Those who may consider themselves non-human. This can include: elves, angels, demons, dragons, vampires, were-creatures, shadows, fae, plant forms, animal forms, and just about anything else.

  outer world

This would be best described as the world where the physical body resides. We prefer to call it the Earth Realm or Computer's Realm. Also used: 3D, body's world, out here, physical world, real world.

  personalities

See Alters

  plural/plurality

Another word for Multiple/Multiplicity

  repressed memories

Memories that are locked deep inside the mind of someone and they are not able to access them.

  singlet/singleton/singular

A single, individual mind using a single, physical body at all times with no others present. Sometimes we think of ourselves as a bunch of "singlets" sharing one body. We prefer to say Non-Multiples or Single-Minds.

  soulbond

we aren't going to get into the entire philosophy and definitions of this word. To us, this word has meant "someone with some connection to media", whether it was only appearance or history. We have been stepping away from using this word because it is a little firecracker. For us, a "soulbond" isn't any different than anyone else in our group; only some may have different difficulties to deal with because some have been confused and concerned personally if they are "real". But even that difficulty is something others in a group can at times relate to. We've also seen the word "fictives" used recently as well, and we personally feel that word is even worse than "soulbond".

  splitting

The act of breaking yourself into more than one. This is what most underlying messages of Multiple therapy involves; a single person "became" more than one by splitting into many. We feel that this can be possible, but that it shouldn't be assumed that all Multiples groups exist due to splitting.

  switching

When there is a change in who controls the physical body. For us, the switch is barely noticeable, if at all. Unless we are doing something like chatting or talking where it could be more apparent.

  system

Generally this word is used to describe a Multiple group as a whole. We once used this word until we found one we liked better, like Group and Epitome. This can include individuals-only, or individuals and the world where they live. Also used: clan, collective, family, gang, group, headmates, headvoices, house, household, inners, plus special group names.

  triggers

A word used by some to describe something they've read or seen or heard which brings back a painful or traumatic memory from their past, usually in the form of a flashback. A trigger in general can be something either positive or negative. Though usually those we have seen as being triggered were experiencing something negative.

  walk-in

For us a walk-in is an individual whose birth and origins began somewhere other than our Realm and they have decided to move in with our group. Some are regular visitors who come and go (which we may just call "visitors"), and others are permanent residents. They may even have their own memories which are completely separate from the others in the group. Again, we don't usually make distinctions between those in our group, but some do like to state that they originated from elsewhere.