friend has MPD (multi-personality disorder) can someone help clarify?

[Nicci]

Okay, so I think I know what this is but want to be able to learn more about it so that I can help support my friend who has this. She talks to me a lot and I want to be able to be fully informed.

My friend wants to bring her other personalities out around me but I don't know if I shouldn't encourage it...To me it seems like I should allow her to so that I can support her and not have her hide who she it. But on the other hand would it be bad to allow her other personalities (other people that are living in her) out? Do you think she might not come back?

I'm not very informed since this is new to me and would love some advice, clarification, or stories that any of you have to share.

[Sith Lord 13]

I just had a long reply typed out but the machine ate it so I'm gonna sum it up.

You absolutely should encourage it. If your friend really has DID, which is the new name for MPD, she switches all the time, and she always comes back eventually. Hell, she may have switched around you in the past without you noticing. Remember alters are separate people and deserve to be treated as such. Don't treat them like some extension of your friend. They have their own wants, dreams, desires, emotions, everything.

[Nicci]

Thank you so much! I've wanted to get another persons opinion but I can't really ask any one I know since they don't know etc. (which is why I love the internet). And she's brought up switching, asking if it's alright to do it openly around me. She has mentioned that she switches and people don't notice as well. Thank you again!

[Sith Lord 13]

Thank you so much! I've wanted to get another persons opinion but I can't really ask any one I know since they don't know etc. (which is why I love the internet). And she's brought up switching, asking if it's alright to do it openly around me. She has mentioned that she switches and people don't notice as well. Thank you again!

My pleasure. If you have any more question feel free to post them, or to VM/PM me. You can also find my contact info on my profile. I'm pretty much always logged into MSN.

[ShatteredWings]

She has mentioned that she switches and people don't notice as well. Thank you again!
Despite the fact that alters are often very distinct people, almost no one ever notices because of the "uncommon"ness of it
(It's not really *that* uncommon, figures are around 1% of the population, putting at a same level of prevalence as schizophrenia)

One thing to remember.
Some of her others may fight the idea of anyone else knowing. Outsiders knowing the truth about you can be scary as fuck, especially since DID is most often an effect of major trauma. If you're met with confrontation do not be hostile that will encourage their fears. Be calm, rational, and above all tell the fucking truth.