Stressful times (help in denial?)

I haven't posted in quite a while
But, has anyone noticed any relation to alters activity during times of chronic stress? A little over a year ago is when alters first introduced themselves to me, and I began to communicate with them to an extent. This was during a time where I was doing an intense amount of emotional healing, I was recovering from a *very* stressful time in my life.
I communicated with them for about 7-8 months, give or take a few weeks due to denial.
Here is where things took a turn for the worse, the amount of stress in my life skyrocketed compared to what it was when my alters started showing up.
I just now realized that hey, none of them are here any more, and I am beginning to wonder if I just "made them up". Can anyone relate to this? In times of stress do they just want to be "normal" and not multiple? How can I let them know I want them to communicate with me?

I've noticed it going one of two ways in our system
(a) everyone acts like we're one
(b) parts start showing up all over the place

I think both are normal reactions to different kinds of stress.

In what ways have you tried communicating with them?
Talking to them, writing to them, making a point of letting them know they can do activities they enjoy (we usually set everything up and tell the part(s) they are free to come out and it sometimes works) and forth?

Working on the stress could be another solution. Do you have anyone to talk to? A T who could help with the stress or even just a friend?

It's good seeing you back and wishing you the best of luck