I can provide information about Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and how alters may perceive and experience their ages.
In DID, each alter is like a separate personality state with its own unique characteristics, memories, emotions, and perceptions. Since they are distinct identities, they can have different perceptions of their ages, just as they can have different names, genders, and interests.
Some alters may have a clear understanding of their age and be aware of the chronological time that has passed since they were created or became active within the system. They may have memories of specific events or periods in their life that help them understand their age.
On the other hand, some alters may experience confusion or a lack of awareness regarding their age. This confusion can occur due to several reasons, including:
Time Loss: Dissociative amnesia, which is common in DID, can lead to memory gaps and time loss. Alters may not have access to memories of certain periods, including their own creation or formative experiences.
Fragmented Awareness: Alters may not have full awareness of each other or the entire system. This fragmented awareness can lead to confusion about their age, as they might not be aware of the passage of time or events experienced by other alters.
Role-Based Identities: Some alters may be created to fulfill specific roles or cope with certain traumas. These roles might not be directly linked to their chronological age, leading to confusion about their identity's age.
Internal Conflict: Alters may have conflicting memories or perceptions about their age, especially if they represent different developmental stages or hold different beliefs about their own existence.
It's important to understand that DID is a complex and unique mental health condition, and each person's experience can vary significantly. Therapy, particularly specialized approaches like Trauma-Focused Therapy and Internal Family Systems Therapy, can help individuals with DID explore and integrate their alters' experiences and work towards achieving greater cohesiveness and self-awareness.