When you are new at finding out, and becoming aware that there is more to your picture than you thought, it is very overwhelming. But in the right hands of a good therapist, you will be ok. The overwhelming part will ease, as you get adjusted to the new revelation of what's going on in your inner world. and then, when the time is right, you will uncover something new. You will feel overwhelmed again at times, but as you get used to how the process all works, you will realize that overall, you are making progress and getting stronger and better.

Does it actually ever get better? That's hard to believe at the moment.

yes, it does get better. :)
the fact that there is more communication and that you are becoming more aware can feel like things are getting more out of control, but it is actually just the opposite, it actually means that you are getting closer to having more input. you can't influence what you are unaware of; you can't compromise with someone you don't know...the fact that you found a note means that someone (or put another way, a part of you) wanted you to find it, it means they WANT you to know about them...that means they are reaching toward you, wanting to be known.

that means the barriers inside keeping things hidden from you are starting to dissipate, and you will start to have more information. at first that is frightening because you've operated by pushing things away--now you have an opportunity to start operating with more light and truth in your life. while that can be frightening, it doesn't happen all at once, and usually only a little at a time as you are ready for it (you get used to that process). Whether you are DID or not, that's just a label, listening to your heart though, that is always important, and if it turns out to be parts of yourself that have been crystalized into personalities over time, then that's just parts of yourself to get to know, either way, you need to listen to the inner you. and telling your t. like starfish said is a great place to start. she (or he) can help normalize that for you and manage these new experiences with you if he or she is experienced in working with clients with dissociative disorders, or is willing to learn how to do them.

it is hard to be told about things that "you" supposedly did that you don't remember...however, if the info is coming from someone you trust, try your best to remain interested and open to what's being said, and not make any judgments about it (the part, or yourself). to me, at this point, i've grown very curious about anything i learn about things said by the parts, ESPECIALLY the things i don't recall myself. it gives me a glimpse of the person i may have been if i hadn't been abused, it gives me ideas of how i may have coped with the things that happened, and also information or clues about the life i've lived that i don't recall. having forgotten so much, that info to me is very precious as i've learned to embrace it--not that i was able to do that immediately--it took some time to grow into that.

i know it's hard right now--many of us have been right where you are and remember the confusion and worry--the other thing i remember though from that time is just a little bit of hope that this might explain some of the questions about things that have been happening in my life that didn't make sense...it was validating to know that there was SOMETHING that could explain it, and that, in spite of the fear, did bring me some comfort. Knowing that others have been through it and that it does get better was a comfort too. It gets better, much better. i promise.

we're here for you!
em

It all depends, too, for one thing, how badly you are afflicted. How good a therapist you have, your resources, your own mental stamina, etc....I have been at this a long time....with limited all-of-the-above. Except the stamina, I think, because I've fought for my needs a long, long, long time. Even though I've also felt frail while doing so.

I also have fibromyalgia and bipolar disorder, so that all figures into the mix too. All that said, I honestly can't say that I really feel much better than I have before. In fact, as the fibro and BP tend to get worse, and they have, along with just getting older in general, I really don't feel a whole lot better. Mainly, it's the fibro pain that is relentless....and I feel that is undoubtedly also related to the burried emotions within me. So, now that I've found a competent therapist, I still hold out hope for some respite from my ills in the future. The older I get, though, the harder it is to hang on to that hope.

However, I have also become much stronger than I was before. Which has served to carry me through what I've needed to be able to get this far. What keeps me going is the conviction and the belief that this is all, ultimately, is about more spiritual things than just my own personal issues, and gain from the work.