Communication

I've notticed that a lot of people seem to be able to communicate with their "Alters" and was wondering how it is done, as no matter how hard I try communicating, it just doesn't seem to work . So I guess my question is how do you communicate with your "Alters"?

mine communicate with each other but not with me so you are not alone

my doc suggested journaling so you can go back and read what they have to say

Thanks, I will try that.

trick that seantel told me that might work is to talk out loud and let them know you want to talk to them I dodn't know if this will work or not haven't tried it yet.

I can't communicate with my alters either, altho they do often present themselves in the mirror, which is why i do not look into the mirror often because this scares me more.
mell

I am new to this forum, but not to DID. I was diagnosed in 1995.

I can not directly communicate with my "others" either, but it really doesn't bother me. They have "shared time" with me, such as when watching a movie...sometimes I clearly remember all the movie, sometimes I remember, but it's a bit foggy, sometimes I just remember parts...but enough to know they were also watching it.

I tried the "journal" thing, but I have one "other" who was constantly writing such nasty things to the rest of us that it was too upsetting, so I quit.

When there is a specific time period that I want to be "out" I just say it out loud and they generally comply with it. lol So, we work it out.

I do a meditation before I go to sleep where I go to a safe place where I see myself going there and talking to them and listening to them trying to see what needs there are and try to make amends when I put myself in an unsafe feeling environment. In that meditation I also try to nurture little ones. I am aware that it is all in my imagination or co-consciousness, but I think it does help. But then I am just a novice at trying this. I'm sure there must be many better ways. I just don't know what they are. All I know is that this does help me. Just feeling "safe" helps.

melly wrote:I can't communicate with my alters either, altho they do often present themselves in the mirror, which is why i do not look into the mirror often because this scares me more.
mell

I've heard that it is very common for Multiples to be "mirror avoidant", as I am. Not so much now that I know what is going on but still don't use it much (only when driving as it is not pointed at me). One thing my therapist tried was video taping sessions.. woah- omg. what a trip that is to watch. She only did it a few times and then stopped. It was really freaky to watch someone else's face come out through your own (for those of you who don't know yes, it really does change.)

In my experiences I had times of complete blackouts when alters were out. At other times I knew exactly what had been said and done. After many years of counseling I knew my system inside out. And I knew who was out and why. I guess you could say that with my system communication grew as trust grew.

Sweetngentle