DID system maps

How about we discuss the purpose of the elaborate signature fields many of us have created here? This is something that newcomers here often don't understand or find off-putting. Often we use our signature as a capsule system map. Because we often want to discuss issues specific to one or another alter, it helps other readers here recall who all is in our system, its apparent size, etc.

When I first joined this forum I had never heard of system maps, nor did I have any idea of how my system is organized. Now, just a few months later my signature lists Alter 1 and Alter 2 (they are connected), Teen Girl (a fragment), and probably another alter that is hidden from me. If new alters turn up I will add them, although I hope there aren't many more than this.

hey,

we started off with a tiny signature. But as we've discovered more the list is growing and growing haha. We dont use their names for their own privacy either. They're not really comfy with that yet and we can't give a big description of everyone and their personalities or roles either because the signature only allows so many characters

Our system map gets re-done and re- done every few months as the new ones emerge. We also do a powerpoint thing on the relationships between the alters. Who is paired with who and who lives with who.

It also makes it alot easier to give everyone a color and put them in the signature because when and if they decide they want to say something on here it can be easily seen. Makes life very easy around here to let everyone choose their fav colour and use it to communicate. Certainly shows who says what when everyone's yelling at me!

That makes sense ladies. I was wondering why people would list the alters, but it does help others when replying!

It's always very helpful to know who is talking, which alter, for myself and others when they're reading. I often read my own posts later on because I don't remember who was speaking about whatever the subject was (and most of the time I forget the subject or what the response was) so if I look back, I can recall who was speaking. Some of the time I color-code the responses for them because we're both around, or someone is commenting from inside, so it's easier to recall who has that point of view.

I never thought it was something that people on here "show off". Why should we feel embarrassed or ashamed of our others if they are part of our lives? They want to voice their opinions too, at least mine do, so to revoke that right on a message board where they are also included is kind of silly in my mind. We're all trying to work together with our insiders on this website and if your alters are shut out from this forum they are not getting the support that they are looking for, I think.

For us, we know Katherine has an easier time understanding things when they're written out. And it help others to understand us a bit if they can see who all we are.

In all truth, I did it to help in the "growing" process. Only a few names and such, it isn't everyone. I didn't color code it simply because our host and a few others are colorblind. (Jay)