Do alters lie?

Do alters tell lies, or have the capacity to tell a lie? How can I be sure that what they are telling me is the truth?

I think it's possible. However, we have to understand the differences between 'lies'. There's the lie of perspective, the lie of omission, and then there's what we call the 'lie of voice'.

So, let us start with 'lie of perspective'. As no two people see events the same way, so no two alters will see events the same way. For instance, we have undergone certain events together, but one alter may feel traumatized by said event while another may not. We may also remember things differently. This can impact determining exactly what happened in the past.

The lie of omission is easier. We don't tell each other everything. There are events we shield from each other so that we don't cause more problems. I can't give you examples, but when we tell each other things that have happened, we leave out what might hurt the other. This can lead to a patchwork of information as well.

The 'lie of voice' is probably what you're thinking of. I don't think it's entirely possible to lie when sharing memories, but when talking to each other? Quite possibly. For instance, our system doesn't trust Marcus for several reasons, and the fact that we suspect he doesn't tell the truth to be part of that. There are a few places that seem to say that alters do lie. Some lie to people outside the system in order to keep DID hidden.

I hope this helps a little,
Octavia.

i'd say it depends on the alter's function, development, etc. if they need to lie to protect themselves or the whole system, they would. i'm not sure if they would lie to be malicious though. most of what alters do is a form of protection even if it seems like it isn't helpful. it serves a purpose for them.

they might remember things differently, so it might seem like they are lying when they aren't.

i have the issue sometimes where i remember things one way, but the situation was another way or same with information or how i think something is in general. it really confuses me. it's not directly related to an alter lying and can either be just more how my memory is or sometimes could be an alter doing that on purpose for some reason. it's hard to know sometimes what is from just dissociation and a bad memory or an alter since some stay inside and can affect things without me knowing.

Some alters lie and some don't.

Alters can lie but when they do it is always to protect you.


They can hide some abuses and refuse to tell them because they are not ready to talk about it or you are not ready to hear about it.

They can remember some aspects of the abuse (emotions, physical sensations...) and be unable to recall the events so they "fill in the blanks" with what is the most logical thing according to them.

They can be repeating lies that were told to them by the abusers, which they believe to be the truth while you know it's a lie, but they don't.

They can be completely dissociated from the outside reality and mistake the symbols of the Innerworld for something "real".

They can remember only parts of a trauma and because their distress/emotions are so strong, they can imagine it was worse than it objectively was. Or they can mix two events together because they have similarities (same emotions, similar context, an shared element...)


If you think an alter is lying to you in order to hurt you, remember that it is not their fault primarily but that they are merely imitating what an abuser taught them to do. They do not know what else to do. They just repeat it over and over because they think that, if they stop, the abuser will pick up where they left and it will be much much worse. So it is a way, in their point of view, to protect you.