Comment by Joseph on 03 Sep 2009 at 6:46 am

Kar, could you share some detail of what happened when someone confronted you face to face in anger? What causes a switch to occur? I know you are now integrated but do you still have that automatic response mode that once helped you to survive? If attacked today, not that I wish you to be, how would you react? A quick reflex or stunned silence, maybe a pause? Thank you for making me think.

Joseph, Harlem, GA

Dear Joseph,

I haven’t thought about switching for a while. In the past when anyone would come into my space, too close for comfort, an automatic switch would occur and the alter best able to handle that moment’s confrontation would come out and take over.  A slight pause would happen, and then the alter would take over.  A switch would occur whenever I felt threatened or uncomfortable.  A switch is a coping mechanism that allows one to disappear or move away from the present. I believe it’s a survivor’s way to get around trouble.

I don’t have the same automatic response these days as I had in the past when my alters were active.  However, I do have a reaction.  I have a built-in radar or instinct that can warn me of potential trouble.  Most likely I will be able to defuse the agitated person or walk away.  But I’ve found that I get irritated more than before.  I’m not very good at handling irate people as I once was.  I never had to deal with these people on my own before.  My alters always handled anything that brought me discomfort.  I do have the alters’ knowledge now but I’m not as quick in acting on what to do. The alters’ response was automatic; now I have to think about it. Therefore, I try my best to stay away from these sorts of people.

Thank you for the challenging question. I hope my answer satisfies your curiosity.

Karen