I went ahead and put a *Possible* Trigger Warning, so please read at your own risk. If it's one thing I have learned over the last few months is that pretty much anything can be a trigger, including discussing it!
I haven't been making much progress on communication with the others yet. Once in a while I'll have little instances here and there with them, but it's very random and usually short (or theres a huge possibility I just don't remember it). Also, I'm so used to ignoring every thing, that half the time for a split second I'll realize I'm talking to them, or that they've made a comment, or that I'm acting/feeling like someone else, or that I'm talking and physically doing something but I'm not driving the bus bc I'm on the 'inside' thinking about other things....but this awareness only lasts maybe 5-15 seconds when I become aware of it. Then it's like the thought is just completely gone. I feel completely blocked, like the thought was 'removed' from me, or 'taken' away. I'm not sure if the others have the power to do that, or whatever, but that's what it feels like.
No matter how hard I try, I usually can't make the awareness last more than a few seconds. I don't usually become more aware that I've switched, until I switch again, bc I can more easily see just how different I was. And usually, I only remember bits and pieces of what happened.
Since I'm still having issues with communication (I am journaling a lot more now btw), I've decided to start working on identifying switches. After what happened Sunday (for those of you who read my post the other day), I think I need to start focusing on this more. I'm hoping that this might help me become more 'attuned' to them and help communication in the process.
I'd like to know...
1. What are your switching 'symptoms'? I'd like to get an idea of what my husband and I can possibly look out for (maybe physically/emotionally)? I haven't found a good list online, but would prefer to know what everyone else's personal experiences with switching are.
2. Any other advice/tips for me or my husband on becoming more aware of switching and who's out?
3. While on the subject of switching, how about tips on handling them? ***Trigger Warning*** I have an angry/violent one that's been coming out quite often, and my husband has become quite afraid of her. She's not physically violent towards myself or others, but she screams a lot and throws/breaks things. I've tried to tell him that she won't hurt anyone physically, but he's still wanting to hide all the kitchen knives He's really unsure of how to handle her, and since I usually don't remember much after she's out, I'm not really sure what to tell him.
I think that's all the questions I can think of at the moment. Any advice would be great! Thanks!