AuthorAsh
We are a DID System that has many writers within, who want to publish under different genres and pen names. We have decided to be very overt about our system and give a better representation for someone who has DID. We all strive to be a functional multiplicity where everyone has the chance to embrace the stories of their hearts. We always have our Blanket Gremlin pictured to the side: Darwin.
Being a DID System
Being an overt DID system that is actively displaying our disorder and incorporating it into our writing career is something we have been thinking about for some time. There are so many stereotypes out there that are so harmful to DID because of misunderstandings and perpetuating them. One of the reasons that we are so active and out about being a DID system of writers is to help with these misconceptions and also give representation to other systems that may not be as overt or are completely covert.
We have been writing since we were a preteen. The first of us that we recognize/remember actively is Jaelin - who is the main writer for the Lyla Kennedie pen name. She is the one who was active and we have notebooks from those ages/times full of writing and her name all over them. It's actually how we suspected something because of how adamant that she was about being called Jaelin for a period of time in High School.
Ash is also a writer - and being the name of the body - and the one who writes the same genre and topics as Jaelin. Those two are the ones that started us on the path of publishing and putting our works out there.
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What is DID?
DID is short for Dissociative Identity Disorder. It is a trauma-based disorder that occurs when a child is exposed to some form of extreme repeated trauma by the time they are age 7-9. Usually, the repeated trauma affects parts of the brain that, when the personality begins to form, it cannot do so because there is a cognitive dissonance (or basically they can't smash together because they're at odds with one another). So this causes a split in the personalities that would have formed as one into multiple. Now, they form their own identities, each with its own wants, desires, and unique characteristics that make them distinct.
This is a really watered-down version. TLDR.
You can learn more about the formation here: [x]
More on alters & DID here: [x]
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When We Started
We officially became aware of being a DID system when Ash was experiencing extreme blackouts, memory amnesia, and an identity crisis. This was back at the beginning of 2021. It was a long road of unmasking, then being thrown back into masking, and working to unmask again.
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The Struggles
It may sound pretty good, but when it comes down to it... sometimes it is not. Yeah, we may have multiple alters in our system that write but there are conflicts. Like when a few want to write or one doesn't want to write at all and pushes such strong feelings that no one will want to write. Struggling with the PTSD, the dissociations, and other disorders that we have (such as ADHD and Autism). Some alters have manifestations of those disorders stronger than others (Like Serena, who has a very prominent OCD tendencies that is more extreme than the others). With having so many writers, sometimes its extremely overwhelming because there are so many thoughts and ideas and brainstorming happening that we end up shutting down or burning out for a long time if not regulated.
Our System Thoughts
Want to understand or read more about DID? Read about our musings below to follow our journey as we explore and understand ourselves, as well as how our system works. We will be writing our DID journey alongside any story/prompt writing, but you can always find the DID thoughts in this category below.
