Inner Self Helper

The question of IShelpers came to discussion in another thread...

I've read quite a lot of this from here and there, but still I'm not quite sure that I understand this very well. Being dx DID.
I haven't found quite like that in my system, but yes I'm still in the early learning stage of my system, although I've read a lot about these things.

I have a kind of a ISH maybe. Her work is to always monitor any signs in any people that I relate with, about threaths of being abandoned. (My biggest fear is about being abandoned, has been all my life.)

So, in a way she helps. But I'm not sure if she could be called ISH, as what I've read about these things...

That part of you may be a protector? I don't have an ISH but we're only 3 so maybe we don't need one? Unless it's me, I'm always trying to figure things out. I don't know how ISH works really. X

I'm also in this whole learning stage. We just know of us, and who I am, really. Nothing much of how the system works, if that makes sense. But I think we have one; because we often take advice from a voice we can't place a face/name to. But otherwise, it doesn't fit well with what we've read. (we haven't exactly gotten to 'know' this voice's origins though)

Considering that every system is unique, though, shouldn't the idea of what an ISH is, who they are in the system, and what they do, be based purely on opinion and personal experiences/opinions of the others in the system, and not textbook definition of what an ISH's role consists of?

If it helps any, my ISH acts like more of a 'hand-off' protector/guide, I probably wouldn't have classified/thrown a label on him as ISH except he calls himself the 'damage control guy.' He answer's questions at times as well about the system, or whatever. :shrugs: It's such a process to know the ins and outs of one's systems.

I think we have two. Brian is the one who kind of controls who needs to be out if something is happening but Therapist is the one who gives advize on stuff. But maybe three now i think of it. Hope is the one who tells me stuff to make the others feel better. But maybe im wrong about what IShelpers means.
Sara

ISH's take on many different jobs - it all depends on what the system needs. Not all DID systems even have an ISH.

For us, the ISH keeps an eye out on what's happening outside constantly. She also keeps our knowledge filed and if needed can give information to who ever is out to make sure we don't slip up.

I have no idea if Margaret or Mary actually ARE inner self helpers by the DID standardised terminology (whatever that is) but between them they seem to act so. Margaret holding knowledge and weight of stuff (apparently) and Mary being the god like figure who always looks after us and calms us down when we need her to. Who knows. Not really that bothered to categorise them. I think I've done enough of categorising things in my life!!

Bourbon

We have Azel. He is quiet and only interfers when he is needed. He has been with us since birth and seperated from Seed when the body was 4 years old.

He speaks in riddles mostly- uses a lot of parables. He is never angry but sometimes he will laugh a little. He is calm, concerned, and does whatever is needed to keep us safe.

He made most of the inner world and most of the others, including me.

Azel is not one of us though. He isn't an other. He is something different and what he is really isn't known to us.

When you ask him what he is he says 'each person is made of 4 parts and the 4 parts should be one. Some people have to seperate those 4 parts to survive. I am one of those 4 parts.'

~Jill

Thanks Quadretto

Yes I am trying to understand the ISH. But I think I have one only because when I read about I hear in my head "you have one of those!" Not sure who is saying it or how my ISH fits in but I think mine is there somewhere!

And when I started CBT for anxiety "it" laughed, I've been doing this with you for more than 10 years! LOL

Sam

For me...

Sage, my ISH is not male nor female. It is ageless. It is not some spiritual thing like it is for those that are so religious and i am not religious in any way. If you are, then things will probably be even more confused than they are for the non religious. Remember YOUR ISH is a part of you and in that way its unique.


All DID systems have basics that are the same, (these are outlined by the DSM) then they have things that are unique.

All of my parts split as twins except Sage. Sage came as a triplet. Now however with all the twins paired, Sage reports that it is my twin even though we did not split together, Sage is MY unconscious!

I am in the process of integration that began on New Years Eve. For a while Sage held all trauma memory, but now the parts have them back. I don't know why, but Sage is capable of this.

Sage reports that it watches EVERYTHING inside. It does not usually watch much outside.

I watch outside. Sage watches inside. I am the conscious part. Sage is the unconscious part.

Ask that part if it is the ISH. If he does not say yes, it is not.