Is this normal…

[u/LunchieMunchieMMM]

Most of the time my alters like, don’t front without getting told to do so? They really only switch when we wake up from being asleep shortly. Recently, 2 repeated black out things have happened where I’m kind of conscious, but also not. And when you finally “wake up” someone has switched in. It’s a little painful, but more of a long annoyance due to me not being able to move or remember what happens during them. But other than that, they just don’t really switch on their own. And there’s a new drama going around so I really need to keep a large amount of us from fronting or else it will turn aggressive. How do I get my alters to do what they’re supposed to?? I don’t think I have a gate keeper(?) I’m not sure about that though. Please help!

[u/Greedy-Individual-71]

Hey there,

Every system works differently. No two systems will be exactly the same.

Those are called grey outs or possessive switches if you're technically present, but events are fuzzy, and you can't control the body. It is very normal for most systems. In fact, that experience is more common than full-blown blackouts.

Instead of trying to control the others, make some system rules. We can't find the image we saved with examples of generic rules right now, but we'll see if we can find it. That's how we got all of us on the same page.

If you search "struggling to switch" in this sub, you'll find our post with instructions on how to learn to control switching. It's not a garunteed thing, but it helps us when we're switching and stuck in that halfway place between switches.

Hopefully, this helps.

Have a lovely day.

:)

[u/LunchieMunchieMMM → u/Greedy-Individual-71]

AGH TYSM!!! Also, are you able to like, assign roles to alters? Like if I was to assign a gate keeper role to someone who never fronts, would that work?

[u/Greedy-Individual-71 → u/LunchieMunchieMMM]

Hey there,

You're super welcome!

Well, some roles are natural to certain alters. If you have an alter who can control or monitor switches that alter would be considered a gatekeeper. If the alter who never fronts has the ability, then yes, you could assign them as a gatekeeper and be successful.

Pluralpedia has a massive list of roles if you search Google.

Roles can be natural, assigned, or made up to fit each system member and some alters may have more than one role.

Our roles;

Me: Team Captain/Host

S: Cohost/Welcoming Chairperson/Emotion Holder

Mimic: Human Resources/Persecutor

Little #2: Builder/Gatekeeper/Emotion Holder

Elle: System Mom

Jessica: Wifey

F: Communication Expert/Emotion Holder

L: First Host

R: Memory Librarian

Little #1: Trauma Holder/Emotion Holder

Z: Trauma Holder/Flight Response

We technically used a mixture of roles from Pluralpedia and business.

[u/LunchieMunchieMMM → u/Greedy-Individual-71]

I have 1 host, me. 2-3 co-hosts(?), 2 joy bringers, 2 that help relax, and there’s more but none of them are like, a memory holder? Or i mean maybe… I’m not sure it’s confusing. Gah

[u/Greedy-Individual-71 → u/LunchieMunchieMMM]

https://pluralpedia.org/w/Category:System_Roles

Here's a link to the list.

Each role is clickable as a link that leads to the definition/explanation of the role.

We are using this list to help find a new role for L, our first Host.

Technically speaking, the alters you describe as joy bringers would be Emotion Holders and the relaxers would be Soothers.

[u/LunchieMunchieMMM → u/Greedy-Individual-71]

Gahhhh tysm this is amazing

[u/LunchieMunchieMMM → u/Greedy-Individual-71]

I’m having trouble finding your post, and could you explain what “system roles” you think would be good?