Comment by Olivia on 04 Jun 2011 at 6:10 am

I want to thank you so much again for taking the time to answer my questions! I am still amazed by everything you went through and the strength you possess to be standing here today. Here is a list of the main questions that I have been wondering. Please know that if you are not comfortable answering any of these questions i completely understand, and you don’t have to feel entitled to. I am very fortunate that i get the chance to speak with you at all.

1) I was curious as to where some of the alters names came from. Was there any reasoning behind the names of the alters? And did you name them or you just always knew them by that name?

2) After your complete integration, did it ever get any easier? Were you able to feel yourself as more as a whole? Did you become a more confident person?

3) Did any alters ever reform? How did your experience differ this time when you felt you needed to dissociate? Was there any coping mechanism you used to prevent yourself from dissociating?

4) Do you feel that the alters are more evident in your personality now then they were when you were first fully integrated? Are you still able to recognize their distinct personalities within yourself?

5) How are you doing now? How has your life changed since the book was completed? How did things work out with your husband? (if you don’t mind my asking) And how are your kids doing? How did they adapt to the different you after the integration?

6) How did you adapt after the integration? Were you ever able to sleep fully through the night?

7) How did it feel once you left Dr. Baer? When you reflected back at your relationship with him, what did you think of it?

Final and for most, I know when you were first integrated with the alters their memories didn’t feel like they happened to you. As time went on did you ever feel like they were your experiences?

I know these are a lot of questions so if you feel you only want to answer some, i completely understand and that is fine. I don’t want to rush you but my project is due soon so if you could just have the questions in by the end of the week that would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much again for doing this. I truly feel honored being able to speak with you. Have a great day!

Olivia

Dear Olivia,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts! There are surely many questions and more than I can answer here on my blog! However, Dr. Baer and I are beginning to write a sequel to Switching Time. In the meantime I will answer some of your questions the best I can. Thank you for your patience.

My alters’ names may have come from close relations and/or characters from television shows. I’m not sure how my alters chose their names. It’s a mystery to me, too! I knew them by name during therapy, but beforehand I knew some but not all. My life did get easier after integration as far as no switching or alter chaos. I no longer recognize distinct alters. My alters have merged within me and we are one.  I never lost any part of me.  A blending occurred and dissolved the walls that once kept my alters leading separate lives.

I am forever on a journey to wellness. It takes a lifetime and careful personal monitoring to stay healthy, to be safe, and to learn how to live to be my best self. I have some bad moments, but I quickly overcome them by acknowledging the current issue, and learning from it.  I’m like most people who struggle through good and bad times.

I never really left Dr. Baer; we continue to talk on occasion. I know he is there for me when I need him and believe he feels the same about me. My relationship with Dr. Baer has had some ups and downs, but we will remain forever respectful friends. Again, I will share more detail in the sequel.

I truly appreciate you asking these important questions. Please read the previous questions and answers from those who have written me before; you will find more of your answers in them.

Wishing you all me best!

Karen