how do you know?

[nats]

as multiples we spend a lot of our time feeling that our reality is different from that of most monominds or non-multiples. there's good reason for this feeling, as most of us have experienced horrendous and debilitating abuse and neglect in our early years. however, there is so much we still don't know about multiplicity. is it purely a natural reaction to horrific longterm trauma (in which case anyone would become multiple given the 'right' circumstances)? is it a combination of personal enabling characteristics and external circumstances (i.e. nature plus 'nurture')? or are some people so much more prone to dissociation and developing complex internal worlds that we are much more likely than average to develop multiplicity even with less extreme abuse histories?

over the years at MM, many multiple systems have participated, with different histories, different interests, and different internal organisation; yet all with the connecting bond of multiplicity and a recognition that here we can be understood. there is something unique about finding others like ourselves. it may be hard to identify or label this feeling, but we can usually recognise it. why do you think this might be? what helps your system feel supported? how do you know that you are still growing and healing? how do you know when you've found people who 'get' and accept you?