Series 1 Episode 11: Fragments and Polyfragmented Systems

Cadence shares about community knowledge of fragments (a two-dimensional alter) and polyfragmented systems (people with more than 100 alters).

Note: I am not a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist. Everything we say in this podcast is what works for us and the other people we know who claims what works for them. If you are in a crisis, call your local helpline for professional assistance. Please listen to this podcast at your own discretion and take good care of yourself.

Quotes from Dissociative Galaxy's Common Terms channel by Black:

Fragment is a less distinct part. Typically, they split for a "not so big" task or "not so long" situation. They usually hold one feeling or one task. Therefore, fragments will usually only have one purpose or will not be that defined of a part. They can also just be a memory, not a complete alter with an appearance or personal will. Commonly they also split for holding trauma memories, which no one in the system is capable of dealing with. If fragments form only to perform short-time tasks, it's common that they end up fusing after their "job" is finished.

Polyfragmentation: Polyfragmented DID, or also known as Complex DID, is another form of how a system can present. C-DID is not an official diagnosis but is more of system label modifier or specification. Common misinformation is that C-DID just means 100+ parts, which is not true. Most common parts of C-DID are:

— A large number of parts, alters, fragments. — Layers / epochs: A system may tend to group people together by what stage of life they split in, and/or new sets of alters split to handle major changes in life situation ; each grouping system depends on each and every system. — Presence of subsystems: Either or both of group and "system-in-system" subsystems. — Weak non-dissociative defenses: Dissociation and/or escapism are a primary coping mechanism. — Very active and/or complex headspaces. — Complex splitting patterns: Multiple alters splitting from the same incident, or multiple over a short period of time. — Pain-phobic orientation: "They can't handle that memory / remembering any trauma, I'm keeping them safe from it". — Copy alters: Alters that are very similar to the people they split off. — A fairly small group of primary fronters, with other fronters coming around as needed. — More frequent coconsciousness or passive influence. You don't have to have all of these to be considered polyfragmented/complex, but if you experience a lot of them it's worth looking into. It's important to add that you can experience those without being polyfragmented.

Image Credit: Dissociative Identity Disorder in TheMighty.com