Plural Information - General Plurality
MPD - Medical Model
What is your opinion on the differences between MPD, DID & Multiplicity/Plurality?
The definitions change often and are fluid so that it can be difficult to come up with a definite answer.
MPD and/or DID - This type of Plurality seems to be based on symptoms. The symptoms are usually to negative extremes: losing time or blacking out in a dangerous way, not being aware that someone else is using your body, absolutely no control over who is fronting - including possible harmful alters. The most important element of this Plural type is that the host or the main person feels that their Plurality is an illness and they honestly can not function in life while it exists. For many in this situation, healing and integration or working together may be the best options for them - if it works. There are probably varying degrees to this aspect of Plurality.
Multiplicity and/or Plurality - Multiplicity has been used as an earlier word for Plurality. Plurality is the entire spectrum that contains: Soulbonders, Medians, forms of Shamanism, MPD/DID, Gateways, Tulpas, head voices, muses, and many other types. A person with MPD/DID has been considered as part of the Plural spectrum.
Is Plurality caused by physical or sexual abuse in childhood?
It can be, yes, but it isn't that way for everyone. Plurality doesn't always stem from abuse. There are various ways that Plurality can originate, trauma and abuse is one of the ways. Other origins: genetics or born that way, intentional creation, and many don't know their origins.
If Plurality is not caused by child abuse, why do Plurals in literature have backgrounds of child abuse?
Unfortunately, that has become the stereotype. Media created a dramatic image of an adult who was abused as a child. In order for the child to survive, they split into fragments. Of course, there is always a hidden murderer amongst them that controls the innocent and unaware host. They are up on charges for murder and the judge has to decide if the innocent host is guilty. It makes for sensational suspense, but it has also created this false stereotype. For many Plurals, if they claim to be okay with their Plurality, people may doubt their claims because media portrays it completely different. It's unfortunate.
Why do scriptwriters write Plurals as crazy?
Because the audience won't believe the story if it is done any other way. People believe it is truth now. The truth is there are many people who have said that if a Plural group is happy being Plural and they are not in therapy then they must be faking and lying about their existence. Media is the cause of many of these opinions in people.
What are some of the most common false stereotypes about Plurals/Plurality?
1. Switching creates intense pain and spasms on the floor.
2. There is one hidden child alter.
3. Integrating everyone into a single person is the only way to be cured and healthy again.
4. Integration works!!
5. Everyone is only a single job or emotion like 'the angry one' or 'the protector' and isn't able to grow beyond that single role.
6. A murderer is lurking just below the surface waiting to GET YOU!
What is the most harmful stereotype about Plurals/Multiples?
It is harmful when people believe that Plurals aren't capable of living a fulfilled life, raise children, or ever be whole again.
Do people have to be diagnosed with this Disorder to have it? Like if someone says they were DID or Plural but haven't been diagnosed, is it still real?
I can ask you this: If a person has cancer but is undiagnosed, do they still have cancer? If a person genuinely fits the DID criteria, a diagnosis won't change anything. They will have this disorder whether a diagnosis is made or not. Some people seem to believe that only those with an 'official diagnosis' truly have this, and if you are undiagnosed then your experience is invalid. Most people know what is going on with themselves in some fashion, even more than a professional. Because, even a professional can be wrong - telling someone they do not have DID, when in fact they do. Trust yourself first.
Why should we trust what Plurals have to say on this topic over the medical establishment understanding of DID?
The medical information on DID is only based on the disordered portion of Plurality. It does not cover the non-disordered portion, because it isn't a disorder and there would be no need to have a medical listing for it.
How can someone claim to be Plural when they don't fit the proper medical criteria: being unaware of the others' existence, and blacking out when someone else is up front?
It is possible to be Plural without having the DID type of Plurality.
There seems to be a split where many Plurals have been formally diagnosed and are in treatment, and others self-diagnosed, and against Psych?
It isn't so much that people against psychologists, but it can be disheartening to be told you are a liar by someone claiming to be a professional. It can be better just to know how you are than to explain our Plural lifestyle to a psychiatrist and then listen to them tell you how sick you are. If someone don't want their Plural lifestyle 'fixed' then they shouldn't have to ask to be treated for it. But if someone were seeing a therapist for another issue like anxiety disorders, then it would be nice to mention Plurality in order for specific people to have opportunities to discuss their own issues.
Is it possible to spontaneously turn Singlet, like in a spontaneous remission?
It's probably possible somewhere.
From what I've read, people who are Plural are serious victims to all kinds of trauma. It sounds like an awful life. Do you think they're just attention seeking?
No. Some people do experience horrible traumas. There are of course people who do try to get attention, but it shouldn't be assumed that everyone is.
The definitions change often and are fluid so that it can be difficult to come up with a definite answer.
MPD and/or DID - This type of Plurality seems to be based on symptoms. The symptoms are usually to negative extremes: losing time or blacking out in a dangerous way, not being aware that someone else is using your body, absolutely no control over who is fronting - including possible harmful alters. The most important element of this Plural type is that the host or the main person feels that their Plurality is an illness and they honestly can not function in life while it exists. For many in this situation, healing and integration or working together may be the best options for them - if it works. There are probably varying degrees to this aspect of Plurality.
Multiplicity and/or Plurality - Multiplicity has been used as an earlier word for Plurality. Plurality is the entire spectrum that contains: Soulbonders, Medians, forms of Shamanism, MPD/DID, Gateways, Tulpas, head voices, muses, and many other types. A person with MPD/DID has been considered as part of the Plural spectrum.
Is Plurality caused by physical or sexual abuse in childhood?
It can be, yes, but it isn't that way for everyone. Plurality doesn't always stem from abuse. There are various ways that Plurality can originate, trauma and abuse is one of the ways. Other origins: genetics or born that way, intentional creation, and many don't know their origins.
If Plurality is not caused by child abuse, why do Plurals in literature have backgrounds of child abuse?
Unfortunately, that has become the stereotype. Media created a dramatic image of an adult who was abused as a child. In order for the child to survive, they split into fragments. Of course, there is always a hidden murderer amongst them that controls the innocent and unaware host. They are up on charges for murder and the judge has to decide if the innocent host is guilty. It makes for sensational suspense, but it has also created this false stereotype. For many Plurals, if they claim to be okay with their Plurality, people may doubt their claims because media portrays it completely different. It's unfortunate.
Why do scriptwriters write Plurals as crazy?
Because the audience won't believe the story if it is done any other way. People believe it is truth now. The truth is there are many people who have said that if a Plural group is happy being Plural and they are not in therapy then they must be faking and lying about their existence. Media is the cause of many of these opinions in people.
What are some of the most common false stereotypes about Plurals/Plurality?
1. Switching creates intense pain and spasms on the floor.
2. There is one hidden child alter.
3. Integrating everyone into a single person is the only way to be cured and healthy again.
4. Integration works!!
5. Everyone is only a single job or emotion like 'the angry one' or 'the protector' and isn't able to grow beyond that single role.
6. A murderer is lurking just below the surface waiting to GET YOU!
What is the most harmful stereotype about Plurals/Multiples?
It is harmful when people believe that Plurals aren't capable of living a fulfilled life, raise children, or ever be whole again.
Do people have to be diagnosed with this Disorder to have it? Like if someone says they were DID or Plural but haven't been diagnosed, is it still real?
I can ask you this: If a person has cancer but is undiagnosed, do they still have cancer? If a person genuinely fits the DID criteria, a diagnosis won't change anything. They will have this disorder whether a diagnosis is made or not. Some people seem to believe that only those with an 'official diagnosis' truly have this, and if you are undiagnosed then your experience is invalid. Most people know what is going on with themselves in some fashion, even more than a professional. Because, even a professional can be wrong - telling someone they do not have DID, when in fact they do. Trust yourself first.
Why should we trust what Plurals have to say on this topic over the medical establishment understanding of DID?
The medical information on DID is only based on the disordered portion of Plurality. It does not cover the non-disordered portion, because it isn't a disorder and there would be no need to have a medical listing for it.
How can someone claim to be Plural when they don't fit the proper medical criteria: being unaware of the others' existence, and blacking out when someone else is up front?
It is possible to be Plural without having the DID type of Plurality.
There seems to be a split where many Plurals have been formally diagnosed and are in treatment, and others self-diagnosed, and against Psych?
It isn't so much that people against psychologists, but it can be disheartening to be told you are a liar by someone claiming to be a professional. It can be better just to know how you are than to explain our Plural lifestyle to a psychiatrist and then listen to them tell you how sick you are. If someone don't want their Plural lifestyle 'fixed' then they shouldn't have to ask to be treated for it. But if someone were seeing a therapist for another issue like anxiety disorders, then it would be nice to mention Plurality in order for specific people to have opportunities to discuss their own issues.
Is it possible to spontaneously turn Singlet, like in a spontaneous remission?
It's probably possible somewhere.
From what I've read, people who are Plural are serious victims to all kinds of trauma. It sounds like an awful life. Do you think they're just attention seeking?
No. Some people do experience horrible traumas. There are of course people who do try to get attention, but it shouldn't be assumed that everyone is.
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