Ideas for system mapping?

I've done some system mapping in my head and at least half of my others seem to be some sort of protectors. The other groups I can form are: kids, non-humans, 'rationals', 'emos', 'victims', 'hostiles' fragments; all of these groups overlap a little. I'm trying to decide what kind of categorization would be useful, if I don't want to put the same name in two or three clusters of others. Some of my others hang together, I'm trying to decide if it would be wise to keep them together when mapping the system. X, P and R are among other things protecting a child who I've started to call Seven, but they all have different personal qualities. Is it wiser to use their function or their personalities as a basis for mapping?

What is the difference between the original and the core again?
I'm not sure if I'm the original. I've always felt that my name doesn't belong to me, especially when I was a kid, and back then I typically felt that my family was interacting with someone other than me. I also believed that I'm going to be a man when I grow up, and insisted they call me a boy and so on. On the other hand, these feelings could have leaked through from my male protectors, like many other things later. But I'm not sure if I'm a woman at all, although there has been a female host (or hosts) before. I'm not sure even what happened to them.

It could be that I'm more dissociated now because lately I've felt a lot like I'm disappearing somehow, especially when I'm interacting with people a lot. I feel like a cheshire cat sometimes. But somehow when I'm feeling like this, my others are closer to the surface, and that's why I got this mapping idea.

There was something else I wanted to ask but I forgot it.
Well, I'd be grateful if anyone can suggest something useful at this point.

under ice wrote:Is it wiser to use their function or their personalities as a basis for mapping?

I've "mapped" my system a few different ways but some might call them just lists. Chronological by "birth" order might be helpful. I'd try more than one way because you'll probably see different relationships you don't normally consider. See my blog if you want to get a couple ideas. I think a lot of what I've written there falls into the general category of mapping.

http://www.psychforums.com/blog/Johnny-Jack/

What is the difference between the original and the core again?

Core is one of the more misleading words we use here or that is used when talking about DID. Some people use it as synonymous with host, the person out most of the time, others as the original person from whom the first alter split off (if you can even determine that or if it even happened that way), and still others as a sort of center true person apart from all the alters, that is, not an alter. For us, core and original are synonymous but that's just our meaning.

Humpty Dumpty wrote:When I use a word, it means just what I choose it to mean—neither more nor less.

Okay, technically, Lewis Carroll had him say that.

I think mapping your system is a great idea unless it's triggering somehow or an alter is going to cause major trouble if you try it. I have to admit, my "map" really looks like a bunch of islands. The twins are two islands nearby but everyone else is sort of floating around in our head now.

under ice wrote:I've done some system mapping in my head and at least half of my others seem to be some sort of protectors. The other groups I can form are: kids, non-humans, 'rationals', 'emos', 'victims', 'hostiles' fragments; all of these groups overlap a little. I'm trying to decide what kind of categorization would be useful, if I don't want to put the same name in two or three clusters of others.

I have done a lot of mapping. Each system is so unique we have to do our own thing, but here is what I would do with what you describe. We needed a pick me up! I love to organize. You know all this but here are the basics anyway.

System Managers, Fragments, System Protectors and Exiles are all Emotional Parts (does not matter if they are human or not)
Many hosts are Apparently Normal Parts
Inner Self Helpers - Have no body. They Watch the internal world

It does not matter who they hang with. You have a static system and who they hang with will change.

under ice wrote:Some of my others hang together, I'm trying to decide if it would be wise to keep them together when mapping the system. X, P and R are among other things protecting a child who I've started to call Seven, but they all have different personal qualities. Is it wiser to use their function or their personalities as a basis for mapping?

I have made so many maps and I adjust them as I get to know my system better. Start with what you know.

under ice wrote:What is the difference between the original and the core again?
I'm not sure if I'm the original. I've always felt that my name doesn't belong to me, especially when I was a kid, and back then I typically felt that my family was interacting with someone other than me. I also believed that I'm going to be a man when I grow up, and insisted they call me a boy and so on. On the other hand, these feelings could have leaked through from my male protectors, like many other things later. But I'm not sure if I'm a woman at all, although there has been a female host (or hosts) before. I'm not sure even what happened to them.

I would say they are the same. Neither has a body. There is no original personality. This is formed through experience, but some people still refer to "the original." I am core self, writing this. I know because the others all agree that I am. The real body belongs to me, but I don't have control of it - and I don't have an inner body - therefore I am without a body. Core Self is not an alter. It is the essence of who you are.

more on core self - http://dx-dissociative-identity-disorde ... -self.html

under ice wrote:It could be that I'm more dissociated now because lately I've felt a lot like I'm disappearing somehow, especially when I'm interacting with people a lot. I feel like a cheshire cat sometimes. But somehow when I'm feeling like this, my others are closer to the surface, and that's why I got this mapping idea.

Sounds like co-presence perhaps. Maybe you do like me and you are watching, while another is out at times.

My mapping attempts
System Maps

28 Levels Mapped
Age Split and Twins - final split
Host Chart - 20 have been host and when
Mapping Alters - mapped by levels 269 Alters, 28 levels
Our Family Tree - This needs lots of work. Trying to find all splits
System Managers - All parts go under one of the 4 system manages
Subsystem's Job - Job or jobs of a layer
http://dx-dissociative-identity-disorde ... lters.html

Johnny-Jack and Tylas, thanks for your great replies!
I'm sure that this will help me a lot, and I hope I have the mind power to continue mapping.
Maybe it will take a long time, since it seems that everything is unfolding slowly.

Tylas, yeah maybe the disappearing feeling I described is co-consciousness, or close to it. One of its nearly pleasant forms.

Mapping kicks my butt!!!!!

I call the parts and ask them questions and it exhausts me.

I have, am, mapping by theme for each person. For example 17 is an artistic, and doesn't like to think, but loves and needs to feel. And the deeper she is able to feel,the better. When she is out, there is a whole presence of feeling like we are in Paris. I think maybe she went there in her mind during times she was out, in childhood, but needed to be somewhere else.
Then there is Farrah, who is most happy in research, the more analytical, the better. Etc...
At yimes i have done this by drawing big circles, and then have the circles drawn with part of it inside another circle, if there is blinding that feels appropriate to the people involved. Blessings

All1n, up until I read your post I had been thinking about mapping as 'drawing a map' of my system, which would show the functions and relationships and roles between each part or group of parts. I had never thought that making descriptions of their individual qualities and the feelings each of them brings is actually where I should start. I was just thinking that since I know what they are like, the mapping will be all about filling the gaps and connecting the dots. Actually it can't be just that since I'm sure that I don't know any of them 100%. How could I, when I don't even know myself..?
Thanks All1n.

under ice
Well we admit we are on the ground floor, beginning level. I have tried to do mapping the way you described it. It just didn't quit take off because i think it is more advanced then we are. I do see how if i/we widened the vision though, that it could be helpful to incorporate the two mapping systems together, as something that is being worked towards. I'm still trying to work it in a day to day living, that no one is ignored. And i don't have that down yet even. But i have Hope. Blessings

Hi!
No advice, I just did a hodge podge of stuff, got tired and quit for now. Drawing pictures of them was fun though. So have fun with it.

Borg
I am down with that! What great advice! Thanks, it is exactly what i needed right now!