How Do I Know if I am the Main Person?

That 's a good question. You could probably ask your ISH (Inner Self Helper) if you are the main host, but you can have more than one host and not even know it. (This happened with us) I had no knowledge that I wasn't the main host until they knew I was ready for it. So my advice would be that if you are wondering ask, maybe you are ready to know how you fit in the big picture. Once I found out I wasn't the main host, I met her and then we m*rged, so it turned out good. I don't know how many parts you have, but in a smaller system I would imagine you wouldn't need so many hosts as us. (We had over 300 parts)

What is it Like Being Inside Someone Else?

Well, this is an interesting question that I haven't seen a lot in my readings. Most people talk about what it's like to be the host and have other people inside you. What about those of us who are inside someone else?

My point of view is very different from some of the other parts, or alters, so I will answer briefly for myself and then turn over to someone else. I am an ISH, or Inner Self Helper. I was created to be that way and have no desire to be anything else. I don't like to take the "front" and only do so if I have to.

Here is what one of our other people says:

I feel a lot differently from 27. I am one of the main "personalities" in our group, but I am not the host. I feel fortunate that she is so nice and let's me out to do things. However, I wish I had my own life! I feel like we can share our daughter, but it's really weird sharing the husband. In fact, most of us don't feel married to him and wish we could get our own husband. (Not me, but some of the others.) That won't ever happen for them, so it's kind of sad. But they get to do other things, and just about everyone is crazy about our daughter.

Personally, I am in love with the husband too, which kind of made things a little awkward for us when our host found out about us. But I'm kind of sad too because he doesn't even know me. How do I get her to not be upset about it? Well, she's pretty cool and she understands that I am really a part of her, not really a different woman, but I kind of am a different woman. :) Figure that one out! So, we are learning to work together and even to be out at the same time so that we can have more time.

I'm sure you would get a different answer for every one of us. But that's my answer.

Persephone

Inner Self Helper in a Host with DID Dissociative Identity Disorder

What does an Inner Self Helper (or ISH) Do within someone with DID or Dissociative Identity Disorder? Can they be overworked? This is an answer I wrote to someone who didn't hear from her helper for awhile.

I just wanted to let you know that Inner Self Helpers or ISH's DO get very tired. What you may not realize (and it's hard for our host to understand as well) is that what we do is very HARD work. We also are not from a part of your brain that is designed to be a conscious in front person. We are from the part of your brain that guides from the back. So, it's very hard for us to be out. We are also running things back here behind the scenes to keep you functioning.

It's true that we Inner Self Helpers are generally very logical, however, I personally have learned to imitate my host so well that I could be in front and no one would ever know it's not her. That includes contractions and some mild slang. I am generally still more precise.

To me, it sounds as if your inner self helper is trying to do too much and needs a break. Fortunatly, if she actually gets one, it should not take her too long to be functioning properly again. We have a very complex group here of over 250 parts. I have split to have 3 other helpers to help me so that I can have a break once in awhile or run things in the back and still have someone in the front to help. I do not suggest that she split, however, maybe she needs to get help from someone else. A protector perhaps?

Do not be hurt that they do not let you into the inner world. There are places in the inner world where our host is not yet allowed either. This is for her own protection. Though she may not like it, it is for the simple reason that she is not ready to see the things that are back there. It sounds to me that you may have a lot of work going on in the back, which is wonderful. It's kind of your people to do it that way, and they will reveal things to you as they are ready. It is never easy for the front person when that is going on, but necessary.