RE: Constrained Writing Contest #28 + Winners of Constrained Writing Contest #27
With multiple personalities, they aren't always unaware of each other... There is often one personality that is always aware of all the others. Some of the 'alters' can be completely unaware of others, some might be aware, but unable to control the others (like observing a TV show or whatever) and some can control/manipulate/take over.
As I was dealing with the issues, there were times when it became apparent through my boyfriend's observations, that I had personalities that I absolutely was not aware of (I thought I was literally just sleeping a LOT, but in reality I was up doing things, talking with him, etc) ANYway... long story. Just thought I'd chime in with my own experience.
(I have Dissociative Identity Disorder used to be called multiple personalities, although mostly integrated now, I have dealt with the whole lovely process before for years and was in therapy with others who had the same issue)
Thank you for sharing your experience... I'm sorry that I didn't get it completely right and if I offended. :(
I have more experience relating to the Schizoid Disorders; my dad was Schizophrenic and would experience the auditory hallucinations and the talking to himself, which was very confusing to experience as a child. I knew that he was ill, but I didn't really know what Schizophrenia was until I was an adult and started worrying that it was genetic. At the end he started taking on personalities, so to speak, the most memorable being when he assumed the identity of the man who lived next door and had passed away a couple of years beforehand, and tried to get into their house. But he had no knowledge of this and was aghast when we told him what had happened. That's annoyingly my main memory of the man now.
I'm not at all offended :) It's not a well understood thing from what I understand, and of course it varies. It's exacerbated by things like movies, but I feel like I actually have the exerpience to clarify, so I did.
That situation with your father sounds so stressful. My brother in law was schizophrenic and the different was 9very simplistically) explained ot me that multiple personalities are all inside your head, but schizophrenia was hearing voices from outside your head. In my BIL's case, he would see things outside of himself that spoke to him and he became terribly paranoid. He's spent some time homeless because he was afraid to go back to his government assisted housing because of his delusions. It is a sad thing and I just feel very fortunate that I was able to have the right support to deal with my own issues in a way that didn't destroy my life.
Thank you so very much for sharing this. I'm very sorry to hear this and I wish you all the best!