DID/OSDD: Alters

Alters, explained ♥

Hey and welcome to our DID/OSDD series! In this post, we will be explaining Alters in detail, right down to different classifications. If at the end of the page you still have things you're unsure of, be sure to ask away in the comments!

ROLES 📜

In every system, there are different alters that manage different things. These are called roles. The different roles include:

• Gatekeepers: Unlike the slang 'gatekeeping', gatekeepers aren't alters who keep information from people. In a system, gatekeeper alters are the ones that control who fronts and makes sure nothing bad happens. And if something does happen, they are the ones who figure out how to help. They tend to show leadership qualities.
• Protectors: There are multiple different kinds of protectors in alter roles, so the following roles with protector after the first catorgory will be the explanations for this role/s.
• Social protectors: As the name suggests, social protectors are alters who take charge in social situations if something happens inner, or just because the current fronter is extremely awkward. Social protectors don't only take charge if its an inner problem, if something happens outer and it shows no physical threat then social protectors are the people to call. They tend to be friendly.
• Physical protectors: Again, as the name suggests, physical proectors keep the body harm free. If they arrive late to a scene and bodily harm is done, they will be able to fend for the body and get away or immobilize the threat. Or just scare them off. They tend to have a violent nature.
• Emotional protectors: Ok we've established the names are pretty literal, emotional protectors manage verbal attacks. They either figure out the issue, or just absorb the hit. They are usually anxious or traumatized due to their purpose.
• Persecutors: Funny enough, persecutors fall under the protector category; even though they are saboteurs. They tell themselves and other alters in the system that they are useless and never good enough, and will perform self harming activities, not always physical. Most systems lock them away and never let them front or have freedom, but this is never a good way to manage them, you need to talk to them and manage it fairly. They are usually depressed or mentally unstable due to unhealthy thoughts or people treating them terribly and being alone too much.
• Memory holders: Guess what memory holder alters do? Thats right, they manage memories and share them with other alters, or remove them. They make sure no 'Who are you again?' situations go down, as they cause lots of questions and can ruin relationships. They tend to be a little more traumatized as they remember all the terrible things that might have happened to the system.
• Hosts: Host alters are alters that front a lot, there can be multiple hosts and being a host isn't a proper job in a system more of a title.
• Co-Hosts: Co-Hosts are alters that sort of front a lot, or front but don't control the body or anything. Gatekeepers usually do this so they can supervise, and sometimes get stuck in front if they go too far.

ALTER TYPES 🪪

When an alter forms, they can be fitted into a category. They will be listed below;

• Introjects: Introjects are alters that formed based on something from the outside world. Some systems are full of musicians, some are full of anime characters, but not every system will even have any introjects. 
• Emotional parts (EP): EPs are alters that hold some sort of trauma. They are usually formed as a coping mechanism to deal with the trauma.
• Non-Human: Non-human alters are just as the name states; a species other than human. This could be a dog, raccoon, or even just an elf.
• Mute: A mute alter; they don't speak.

ALTER IDENTIFICATIONS 🏷

Its important to remember that even though an alter is just a personality in someone's head, they ae still people that have emotions and opinions. And just as you would respect a physical person's pronouns or identification, you need to respect an alters in the same way. Some alters are not human, so respecting that is important. Some alters that aren't human, and say they're a ghoul, they can get self conscious as to the way people react. 

See you all in our next post!