Naming Alters in Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing

Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a complex psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity or personality states. Each of these identity states, or alters, has its own pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about itself and its environment. One of the critical aspects of living with DID involves the naming of one's alters. How do individuals with DID decide on names for their alters, and what is the process behind this?

The Process of Naming Alters

For many individuals with DID, the process of naming their alters can be an intricate and deeply personal experience. Sophie, a DID sufferer, notes:

“I think it’s different for everyone. I know I named myself. Other times the names have just come to me. Drew took on the name our brother called us. Others took on their own names. I think all our alters decided their own names. Except our persecutor alter he’s named after our father whose voice he uses.”

Describing the process, one individual states:

“Sometimes both. We have alters named lsquo;Boss manrsquo; lsquo;Strong Karmarsquo; they were named after their qualities and then there are some who know who they are and tell their names.”

Another personal account highlights the naming process:

“Well yes, no. First, there's me, Roxsan. I got my name from the host or core person. The thing was he did not want to be there so it was me that had to be there as a girl with my abuser. Now for most of the rest of us, our names were put on us or forced on us by our abuser. Then we had some names that were either told to be us by a few people. Then there's the ones that are interjected too, of real people. Then we have a few names that some of us did not want so they changed their names to what they wanted. It all came together like that. It would take too long to name each one of us who we are or why.”

The Role of Communication and Personal Choice

Communication plays a significant role in the naming process. Some systems have a high number of fictive or introjective alters, making the naming process smoother. However, for others, each alter may choose a name for themselves or think of something fitting:

“Other types of systems like OSDD1A that have less distinct alters may choose things that are more in line with the body’s birth name or some I’ve met even just choose names related to whatever role they fill just like a non-systems name. It’s all up to personal choice whether that be down to each alter individually or down to the host.”

The amount of distinct alters also influences the naming process. In complex systems, the process can be iterative and may take several stages of healing and self-discovery:

“We have encountered Whores, Nameless, Nobodys, Punchbags, and anything you can think of. This is a trauma-inspired name and it is their identity. As they begin to heal their perspective of themselves changes, which often culminates in a desire to change name. And this is an iterative process. As everyone grows and develops, names take on different meanings.”

Internal and External Naming

While alters can name themselves, the process for internal communication is often more straightforward. For example, a large system may use terms of endearment to identify family members:

“Each of the hosts have different terms of endearment, like
babes, baby, sweetie, sweetheart
and on those lines. Some may be given special nicknames like Herbie is Grandy. Internally for example, we don’t need names. Each of the hosts have different terms of endearments for our family members but they are commonly terms like
babes, baby, sweetie, sweetheart
and on those lines. Some may be given special nicknames like Herbie is Grandy. To make it more confusing
also Stef and Alex are usually called Nerdy but we also have someone called Nerdy and we have The Nerdies which is a whole subsystem…”

For external communication, different systems may use a variety of methods, from names that are socially acceptable to numerical designations:

“For all the inner people we tend to use numbers in writings and diaries. A generational assignment with a counter and where appropriate a descriptor. So for example, 00–011h1 would indicate a child of the generation 0 under 11-year-old which can be identified as 11th self and who is Host 1 of potentially more than one host for that generation of
alters. So the one the reader would call 00–011h1 has an externally recognizable unique designation internally we call them
baby
and that is sufficient.”

“The ones with IRL names we may also have a generational specifier. So we for example we have Baby Teo few months old, Little Teo 2-year-old, Teo 7-year-old. For adults we may use a number so we have Young Stef 12-year-old going all the way to Stef 5 at 40-year-old.”

Others may adopt functional names that reflect their role within the AG ecosystem. In response to changing dynamics, the system may adapt its naming conventions:

“Others prefer to have functional names and for them, too, we try and support the hosts and members to find names that represent their new role within the AG ecosystem. So the Dark Ones are beginning to adopt the name of Rowdies Inspired by Dirk Gently which is in our opinion a much more positive name.”

“But we may change how we operate anytime and without warning so take it with a pinch of salt.”

Conclusion

The process of naming alters in DID is a complex and multifaceted journey that involves both self-discovery and healing. Each individual with DID may have a unique approach to naming their alters, influenced by communication, personal choice, and the specific dynamics of their system. Whether through character-driven names, role-related titles, or numerical designations, the naming process reflects the ongoing journey of understanding and acceptance that individuals with DID undertake.