Social services

I live in the uk and have requested a referal to child social services as we've found I have switched to a child alter whilst I've had my children and obviously they need to be kept safe, lucky my daughter and her did some drawing and that was it but obviously there are concerns regarding this.
After the jnitial response being quite negative and a comment whilst I was out the room: "it's probably personality disorder and that never gets better" to my husband and health visitor I have phoned and complained he is now offering financial help for additional child care and apologized. (I actually have a personality disorder diagnosis and have done a lot of work in understanding it and makin changes, it isn't my fault and it isn't an illness so I wasn't happy in that regard either).

I told him about an alter leaving the house at night and going to a nearby lake and "tried to wade in to the swans" (no joke) and he said about getting me an adult social worker as the children are now covered but its my safety he's concerned about

So
Does anyone know what they will do? I don't want to be stuck under my husbands watch and he doesn't want that either, at some point we will have to be apart from each other or we'll go mad! We have little family support, I was just wondering if anyone else has an adult social worker?

we have a social worker who helps us with our taxes, finances, applications and probably later housing options ect. she's awesome and is open to DID. she helps me fill out forms too and all the other adult stuff.

I like having a social worker. They are a helpful addition to a troubled life. Social workers help you gain access to other services that may benefit you, either by providing information so you can refer yourself to community run things you weren't previously aware of, or by referring you themself to services that need a professional assessment to access.

Social workers monitor you through conversation and observation to see how you're coping with life. You can phone them with problems and they will remind you of your coping strategies, to help you get through the difficult time. If you don't have any coping strategies the social worker can help you develop some, or refer you to other more appropriate professionals for help with that if necessary.

They can be an advocate, attending difficult meetings with you for support and speaking on your behalf if necessary. They can help with practical things like filling in forms, dealing with post and paying bills. Social workers basically help keep your life on track. X

Also, this isn't what you asked but I think you need coping strategies to deal with having a young alter running your life. I have good communication with my alters which helps immensely, because we can all look inside to ask the others for guidance if necessary and we're all looking out for each other. I treat young alters like real children to an extent. I wondered if some basic rules designed to keep you safe could be stuck somewhere prominent, with a star rewards chart for 'good behaviour' in the form of sticking to the rules, would work for you? X

Thank you Kerry I really appreciate the idea for the young alter, I think that could be really helpful.

If I'm honest I'm finding It hard to believe, I keep doubting its all real and that I'm just acting but I've heard that's part of the dissociation, but I think I know they are there I just can't imagine every communicating to them in that way, writing to them and seeing an answer appear or things I haven't bought etc but I suppose its personal to you and not everyone's did is the same

I have a care coordinator who does a lot of those things you listed but I think a social
Worker could help too and just to keep an eye on things for my safety and relieve
My husband from it all a bit

-- Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:38 pm --

Thank you Kerry I really appreciate the idea for the young alter, I think that could be really helpful.

If I'm honest I'm finding It hard to believe, I keep doubting its all real and that I'm just acting but I've heard that's part of the dissociation, but I think I know they are there I just can't imagine every communicating to them in that way, writing to them and seeing an answer appear or things I haven't bought etc but I suppose its personal to you and not everyone's did is the same

I have a care coordinator who does a lot of those things you listed but I think a social
Worker could help too and just to keep an eye on things for my safety and relieve
My husband from it all a bit

In a way I don't think it even matters if you believe it's real to have alters. Even if you was making it up, if it was as easy as stop doing it then you'd have done that! So the thing is that whatever the cause, you have this situation where at times you're not functional as an adult and so you need ways to deal with that and improve the functioning.

Even in the days when all our youngest alter did was scream or sleep, we still included her in decisions (once we knew she was there), because even screaming or lack of it tells you something. You will find ways to communicate with your alters, there are lots of threads on here with ideas and methods for how to go about it. I've always talked to 'myself' (as I saw it at that time), I just didn't know it wasn't normal! I see it as like having housemates, except with a body as instead of a house. If everyone does their own thing with no regard to the others it will be chaotic. But if everyone can find some common aim life will be more harmonious. X

Kerry thank you so much, I don't know if you realise it but the bit you wrote about stopping doing it if it was that easy has really helped me, even if I don't always believe its real or it doesn't feel real I can have confidence still when talking to people About it and not feeling like I don't deserve help.
It's really reinforced things thank you
Yes I agree all the alters have a voice or need one anyway; they all have a purpose and need to be heard its just getting to that point so they can be

I have a social worker - she's also my care co-ordinator. I've only met with her and her mentor once so far. From what was discussed it sounds like a really nice person to have on your side. They were talking about getting used to going out, such as to a craft shop or coffee shop together. My social worker is there to help my recovery and help me get back to a place where I want to be, which for me is working. I'll let you know if I learn anymore about her role.