Plurality

Last update: 26/09/27

Plurality is an identity framework for any that have a more-than-one experience. Identifying as plural is a personal choice with no bar of entry. It is not a clinical term.

Many that identify as plural call their group a system, but not all.

More than one?

It is intentionally vague and inclusive for many reasons. A major one is due to the negative history of the medical community surrounding dissociative identity disorder (DID, formerly known as multiple personality disorder).

It's an experience that can not be described as being one single individual in a single body.

Plurality is not...

A dissociative disorder (such as DID or OSDD)
A form of neurodivergence (but studies on various groups that do identify as plural have been shown to have a form of neurodivergence relating to it)
Multiplicty (the two terms are often used interchangeably, however)

...But it is often used as an umbrella term that includes the above.

Who identifies as plural?

Many diagnosed with a dissociative disorder such as DID or OSDD
Many that meet the requirements for a dissociative disorder diagnosis but aren't diagnosed
Many with thoughtforms such as (the western definition of) tulpas
Many that feel not quite plural, but not quite singular either (median, a form of plurality)
Many that can hear or sense others, with or without loosing control
Many that don't hear voices, but feel their sense of self change in a notable way
Many that have experienced Internal Family Systems therapy

Many, but not all. To identify as plural is a personal choice.

How to address plurals

There is no one right answer. Some prefer to be addressed exclusively as individuals, while others prefer to be addressed collectively. Some prefer the term headmate over the clinical term alter. Some prefer the term collective over system. If in doubt: Ask.

Plural Resources

Definitions

Guides

Questioning

A word of warning: Questioning can potentially dig up trauma. Don't rush things, and take care.

Our system avoided questioning, just in case we would trick ourselves into thinking we were plural. We kept waiting for a sign to pop out to prove that we were without a doubt. That wait ended up being over 10 years, with nothing happening. It wasn't until we started seeing ourselves as plural that we could notice the signs.

That's why we suggest for any that have been questioning for years to just try it. Similar to gender, most don't fixate on things like this unless there's a reason for it.

Note: None of the lists linked here are a set of requirements. They're for bringing attention to signs that are otherwise easy to overlook.

Tools

Link Lists

Studies

Endogenic and non-disordered papers

Related Resources

Dissociative Disorders

Internal Family Systems

A form of non-pathologizing therapy that can be performed without a therapist. Most of the information on parts work is in books. For a solid book on the process, read: No Bad Parts - Richard C. Schwartz

Thoughtforms

Various varieties of intentionally formed plurality. Willogenic and parogenic are umbrella terms for thoughtforms.