In dissociative identity disorder (DID), alters, also known as alternate identities or parts, can have varying levels of awareness of each other. The level of awareness among alters is a crucial aspect of DID and can influence how the disorder manifests in an individual.
Co-consciousness: In some cases, alters may be co-conscious, meaning they are aware of each other's existence and may have ongoing communication and knowledge about each other's experiences and actions. Co-consciousness allows alters to share information, memories, and emotions, which can contribute to a more integrated system.
Limited awareness: In other instances, alters may have limited awareness of each other. They may only have partial or fragmented knowledge about other alters and the overall system. This limited awareness can lead to gaps in memory and confusion about events and experiences.
Amnesia barriers: One of the hallmark features of DID is the presence of amnesia barriers between alters. Amnesia barriers are like mental walls that prevent alters from having access to each other's memories and experiences. These barriers can be strong, leading to significant memory gaps between alters and potentially making them unaware of each other.
Internal communication: Even when alters are not co-conscious and do not have direct awareness of each other, they may still communicate internally through thoughts, emotions, or messages left for each other in the inner world (the mental landscape where alters exist when they are not fronting).
It's important to understand that DID is a complex and highly individualized disorder. Not all individuals with DID experience the same level of awareness among their alters. The degree of integration or fragmentation within a person's system can vary, and alters may have different relationships with each other.
Therapy for DID often involves facilitating communication and cooperation among alters to improve co-consciousness and integration. Developing healthier internal communication and cooperation can lead to increased stability and functionality in daily life.