Non-human alters, Foreign alters

First off, I don't have DID,
But I have a few friends who do, and they are a part of a forum that has quite a few other members with DID and some of them have alters that are non-human. (I mean, fairies, vampires, elves, half-cat half humans, mythical creatures)

Now, on this other forum, we have some members there that are questioning that, and some of them say that their psychiatrists, (who specialize in DID) say that it is very rare, and they would question the validity of a patient who claimed their alters were mythical creatures. So, is it really rare, or even possible for someone with DID to have non-human alters?

And, my friends also have alters that are fully Japanese, one of their alters is fluent in Japanese, but the host doesn't speak a word of it. I've never heard their alter speak Japanese, so I don't know. But is it possible for an alter to be fluent in a foreign language when the host, themselves, are not?

Like I said, I don't have DID, so maybe this is kind of a no-brainer? But I'd just like to know... it's really bothering my friends and they feel they are being invalidated every time someone calls them out on it. I'm also, beginning to question the validity of their DID...

Children pretend to be non-human creatures all the time. It only makes sense then that an alter might be a fairy or something magical that, in the child's mind, is resilient to the trauma. IMO, it's more likely these mythical alters are more likely child alters pretending to be something else, something strong.

*waves to you* Heya Lil

I'unno, we have a vampire, elementals, animal-human hybrids and a Dirae (which is a Fury). Rare or not, we have them so don't know what else to say. Also, there are members of our system who speak languages none of the rest of us do.

Kerry

A lot of people here have non-human alters and I have no reason to believe that they're lying. And it is possible to have an alter who is blind when the host is not. Or an alter who has blue eyes when the host has brown. Or an alter who has bi polar when the host does not. Or an alter with a particular accent, and yes, an alter who can speak a different language than the host knows themselves.

To be frank, that doesn't sound like a very friendly forum if there are people there doubting other people's experiences. That's the last thing someone with DID needs. If it was me, I'd urge them away from there and onto here where we accept each and every person and never ever invalidate someone that way.

Bourbon

mosaicmonkey wrote:*waves to you* Heya Lil

I'unno, we have a vampire, elementals, animal-human hybrids and a Dirae (which is a Fury). Rare or not, we have them so don't know what else to say. Also, there are members of our system who speak languages none of the rest of us do.

Kerry

Yo what's up? ;D
Dang, small world.

I've been really trying to look into it, I don't like knowing that everything is getting chaotic all over some, "Is it possible?" type deal. I've read that each alter only knows as much information as the host's brain does... so... that's where I was mostly tripped up.

But, like I said, since I don't have DID, it's probably like a common sense thing to everyone else, and I'm just missing it.

-- Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:22 pm --

dividedtruth89 wrote:Children pretend to be non-human creatures all the time. It only makes sense then that an alter might be a fairy or something magical that, in the child's mind, is resilient to the trauma. IMO, it's more likely these mythical alters are more likely child alters pretending to be something else, something strong.

Oh! Thank you so much!
That makes a lot more sense!

I've heard of alters being inanimate objects, and to me, that made sense, but I was having a hard time figuring out one, the language thing, and two, why an alter would be non-human, but thanks so much for explaining it like that.

Especially that last line. Almost made me facepalm at how easy that was, and how much sense that actually makes!

CruzingLily wrote:I've read that each alter only knows as much information as the host's brain does... so... that's where I was mostly tripped up.

Where did you read that?

Alters know things that the host does not. Memories. Knowledge. Etc. When you throw in the actual brain to the mix things get confusing because I guess, technically, yes alters only know what the hosts BRAIN does, because the knowledge has to be in the brain somewhere - but it is compartmentalised AWAY from the host.

Mara has never learnt French, but there are 2 of us who speak it Dunno how to explain that.
Ker

IMO, it's more likely these mythical alters are more likely child alters pretending to be something else, something strong.

I found this to be true in my system.

bourbon wrote:
Where did you read that?

Alters know things that the host does not. Memories. Knowledge. Etc. When you throw in the actual brain to the mix things get confusing because I guess, technically, yes alters only know what the hosts BRAIN does, because the knowledge has to be in the brain somewhere - but it is compartmentalised AWAY from the host.

I wish I could pull up the link for you!
It was posted by some woman who claimed to have studied DID for years, and was a registered psychologist. I think it was from some article, or DID FAQ's. But, then again, this same woman said, and I quote, "There is no such thing as co-consciousness". So... I don't know.

She used the analogy that if someone had an alter that was a doctor, this would mean that the alter wouldn't be able to go in and perform surgeries, or procedures that actual doctors can, because the host's brain would not have learned it previously in the past. Does... that make sense? I don't know if it does. I would have assumed it's the same with languages, unless the host was familiar with the language sometime in the past, which, would make sense.

edit; I'm really, REALLY tempted to tell them to come here when they need the support! Someone recommended this place to me, and I'm really glad of how supportive and accepting everyone is.

No such thing as co-consciousness?

Okay, everything she says goes into the place in my brain called "bullsh*t trash".