Its a reaction to extreme trauma. People who have it often experience gaps in time. So....you would be outside raking leaves and literally the next second it is spring and your on your porch. What happens is a persons alters - what you think of as the different personalities come out and take over at different times.

They may seem any stage of fully developed, these alters, so its easy to be talking to your friend and suddenly they speak, act, breathe like a wholly different person. The alter may not even be the same gender. That would be the clearest way of diagnosing it.

It isnt referred to so much as "Multiple Personality Disorder" anymore - they renamed it to "Dissociative Identity Disorder" so any research you do into it look under that name you will find more current info.

It comes directly from extreme trauma so it's understandable that a board that deals with post traumatic issues would include some members that suffer from this disorder.

look up Dissociative Identity Disorder since that is what they call it now and that will give you information about it. It is hard to explain to someone.

I am sure one of the alters loves the fact you said to be a smart ass.

Why did you stop by? Do you think you might have some alters?'

Thanks for the info. I stopped by because i suffer from PTSD. For many years. I only know a few vets that have it. My PTSD is not just military related. I have been to "therapy" but don't have muck faith in them (docs). I am reluctant to take their meds, they tend to do more harm than good. I have observed this site for week or so. I am not sure I should be here or where. My doc thinks I am borderline manic depressive. I know I have ups and downs, usually due to triggers. Most triggers I don't know exactly what they are. So one minute I can be Happy, the next in a very dark place. I tend to "disappear". Be invisible. Don't work everyone can still see me. I have seen the posts about the multiple personality and was curious . Yes I am a smart ass, it is the one way I cope. no offense intended. Thanks again for the info, I'll look into it. I do have flash backs. Not as often as in the past... My poor wife is tired of hearing about it and just don't know what or how to help..
I wish I could get her to stop pushing my trigger buttons, but she don't seem to see that she does what she does. I know makes no sense. I also have Hemochromatosis, and depression is one of the many symptoms. I feel I have come a long way since being diagnosed 35 years ago. but I still have allot of ongoing to go. thanks again folks.

When you say you have gone to therapy did the therapist specialize in trauma?

TWILIGHT; I DON'T KNOW WHAT SHE SPECIALIZED IN. I WAS REFERED BY A FRIEND WITH PTSD AND DEPRESSION. I COULDN'T AFFORD TO KEEP GOING, ONLY GOT 90 DAYS OF ME TALKING AND HER LISTENING. SHE DID POINT OUT SOMETHING ABOUT MY BEING EITHER BORN WITH OR DEVELOPED "ULTRA SENSITLIVITIY " . I AM EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO NEGATIVITY, PAIN, SARROW, DISTRESS, OF NOT ONLY ME BUT FOLKS I DON'T EVEN KNOW. IT AFFECTS MY INARDS AND HEAD. JUST READING SOME OF THE POSTS ON HERE BOTHERS ME. I FEEL THE NEED TO HELP/HEAL THE WORLDS PAINS I GUESS. MY THERAPIST SAID THAT IS WHY/HOW PEOPLE (PARENTS INCLUDED) CAN MANIPULATE ME AND PUSH CONTROL BUTTONS, OR SOME SUCH...
I AM SURE I HAVE BEEN THRU ALLOT OF TRAUMAS.
QUESTION? DO OTHERS , WHEN NOT INVOLVED IN SOME ACTIVITY, RERUN THEIR LIFE AND HAVE A RUNNING CONVERSATION WITH YOUR INSIDE SELF TRYING TO EXPLAIN OR FIGURE OUT WHAT THE HELL???? I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S ME IN THERE.?? IF IT AINT SOMEONE HAS SOME SPLAININ TO DO LUCY!!! THANKS FOR LISTENIN TO MY BABLE.

TwilightStar:
Thanks for the information! I found it to be of interest because my baby cousin has alters and it shed a little light on life from her perspective.

YREKADC:
I don't like doctors or medication much either. I've opted to use alternative "treatments" to help me in place of doctors and medication. (Art, music, talking to very close friends, peer counseling, etc.) These alternative methods are proving to work.

**This may not be correct for everyone so please do not discontinue to see your doctor or discontinue any medication just because of the above statements.**

I'm just sharing what works for me here. Many, many people find that therapy and medication works well for them. Often times, it's a matter of finding the doctor that jives best with you. I strongly recommend trying that first. :)

I do have conversations with myself, yes. I look at past events from my perspective or a different perspective and analyze them. I can relate to this. I don't think it is abnormal at all! I think it is a very normal thing that many who have had terrible experiences do in order to better understand what happened and why. I have been searching for answers for years. I have found possibilities but no solid answers. I may never find them. Many of us many never find the answers we are looking for.

I will do this easily and often if I am not thinking of anything in particular. So, to keep myself from retracing and reanalyzing negative events and situations or to keep me from completely slipping into a fantasy world, I narrate (I'm a writer). I will mentally narrate myself in my surroundings, myself as a character in my surroundings or personify animals or plants or elements I see around me. Again, I don't feel this is abnormal, especially since I am doing it on purpose. Plus, I feel it's constructive because not only does it help keep me in the here/now, it enhances my story telling abilities and gives me writing material I can use later. :)

If you find yourself often analyzing past events often to only come back with little or no new information and wish to decrease this, I would recommend finding something else, possibly more constructive (or just more positive), to occupy that busy mind. :)

Thanks Temple. I am a Photographer/ semi pro, and I do some painting etc. I used to carve wood but I seemed to carver fingers instead. Sometimes it seems I am writing a story in my head, like I am trying to tell someone else about it. I look at life (present) as, if I hadn't gone thru all that I have, I would have never met my wife and had the wonderful kids that I have been blessed with.
So I think I am pretty sure I am only one goof ball in there. There is a posting about complex ptsd. It is good reading and helped me in as much as it put a name to one of my quirks.. disassociation.
Well thank again to all of you. I would give you all a hug but my arms are just toooo short. how about a siber hug?? Twilight your pup looks like she needs a scratch behind the ears.....

Wonderful! I love photography! :) And sometimes, just talking it out to yourself helps. I find myself telling my story to myself too sometimes. If I feel I am telling it to myself too much, I tell it to a friend. I don't think you're a goof ball. :-) "I have a big head and little arms. I'm just not sure how well this plan was thought through." LOL Sorry, that just reminded me of one of my favorite little kid movies, Meet The Robsinson's...I had to quote!

Thats cool Temple. I know I have a big head, and I have all the conceit in the family too.... My family says it's full of noxious gas?! What up with that??
I have loved photography all my life, I especially enjoy National Geographical Wildlife pics. They are beyond cool. If I had their equipment ...... did I tell you what I dreamed the next night?
my old 35mm died on me after 30 some years of good service, a few years back. Much sadness. After a botched knee surgery with staph infection, I became disabled and unemployed for a spell. Needless to say I became very down. My beloved daughter bought me a digital SLR camera to get me out and off my pity potty. It worked. I am able to pursue one of the things that I love but am actually am pretty good at. I sell stuff now and again. I do allot of kid pics for friends . Mostly nature stuff. I am at peace in the woods or on the lake. That was my sanctuary as the abused boy. I would escape to the outdoors where I was free from the Noise. I seem to have a repor with critters and young uns. Most anyway. Don't remember getting eaten by anything. Not much on snakes...sneaky bug gars.
see temple you got me talkin again!! you silly person you. Thanks and hell hugs all around you folks are awful nice to listen to the ramblings of an ape... ha really I have to make dinner so I must venture forth and figure just what that is to be and fix it. Any suggestions???? be safe and well all

If this therapist for whatever reason in the future doesnt work out - go to psychologytoday.com and search through there. I use it every time because you can look at all of the things they have experience with and what specialties they have they have. You can also see if one of your presenting problems isnt anywhere on there so you know who to look over.