How to "switch" willingly and easily ?

Good evening !

I request your help because although my psychiatrist has told us he thinks we are more likely to have DID rather than schizophrenia (great progress if you want my advice, even if it was following a dangerous incident), he is still having doubts because he hasn't met Ralph face-to-face. When we "switch", I feel pulled backward, and him pulled forward, and our roles reverse, I become the voice in his head while he becomes in control of the body.

So we were pretty much wondering how to "switch" more easily and willingly. We already achieve good communication, so are we right to believe it is within our reach in a relatively limited amount of time ?

Thank you for your answers !

Have you tried bringing forth the "feeling" a specific alter has? Or calling out their name and feeling their feeling?...seems to work for me, even though I still feel lots of denial.

Yeah, what walden said. If I want to bring an alter into the body, I think of how they are, think of how they hold the body and face differently, then get a sense of vacating control of the body and try to "hand it over" to them. Usually they'll step in, unless it's a little and they're scared or it's too cold or something.

Because I can do this pretty much with any alter whenever, I have the feeling as it's happening that I'm just making the whole thing up. Until someone comes in who doesn't want to be there and gets angry. Dan if we're doing something uncool, Quato if we're in a place of institutional power (a trigger), Marc in if we're wearing something sloppy, etc. All swift proof that they're not me at all and I'm making up that they're made up.

Another way might be to really notice, both of you, what happens when you do switch. Focus more on the moment, what you're thinking, how the body feels, what was happening just before the switch? Then try to replicate those things. Practice should help over time.

Johnny-Jack wrote:All swift proof that they're not me at all and I'm making up that they're made up.

Oh man John this makes my eyes roll back in my head. Oops, that's a hypnotic induction technique, isn't it?

Does anyone tell you that they see the two sides of your face wearing different expressions?

Una+ wrote:

Johnny-Jack wrote:Does anyone tell you that they see the two sides of your face wearing different expressions?

I've gotten that too- I never realize what my facial expression is, and I usually just feel calm inside. Clearly not outside though!

Good evening !

First and foremost, thank you for your answers !

Unfortunately for the both of us, I am the more rational and calculating of us, which means that feelings aren't exactly my domain. My emotional life is pretty much neutral inside, but perfectly calculated on the outside. Ralph manages his emotions in a much more sane way than I do. Perhaps if I focus on "letting go", and stepping backwards, I will obtain the desired effect. On the bright side, Ralph does have a more smiling and warm face than I, so perhaps if I think about that it will help.

I am meeting with my psychologist tomorrow. Perhaps he will have some tricks to help.

Thank you again for your answers !

If i want someone to come out, i just ask them if they will. Each person has their likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. So say if it's my taxes that need done. I would ask Hammer if she felt like coming out and doing the taxes now. Or sometimes i hear Sissy from within me asking if she can come out and exercise now. Then there is just random switching. We do all have open communication with each other. Though i'm not sure that all has been revealed.