Can Alters Be Older than the Body?

(Summary) Can alters really be older than the body? In this video, we explore why some DID or OSDD systems experience “older” parts, often seen as wise or caretaker figures. These alters aren’t literally older than the body — they typically formed in childhood or adolescence and reflect the system’s idea of what “older” looks like. We’ll look at how these parts develop, the needs they meet, and why their presence makes sense in a survivor’s healing journey.

We know a person with OSDD or DID can have parts or alters who are younger than the body, but what about parts or alters who are older than the body? After all, it’s not uncommon for a system to have a part who is a wise, older part, often a caretaker in some way.

There is no way for an alter to truly be older than the body. An alter may experience themselves as much older and may be experienced by others in the system as much older, but they cannot be any older than the body is. In fact, these alters are often fairly young, forming in the body’s tween or teen years, possibly even earlier. These alters are based on what that part’s understanding was at the time of what an older person is like. This explains why you may observe an alter who is supposed to be much older acting like a much younger age.

These supposedly older parts can develop to meet a need within the system. They may be based off someone the individual knows in real life, such as a kind teacher, neighbor, or friend’s grandparent, or be based off a character in a movie, tv show, book, or video game. A grandmotherly alter may be the systems way of providing care for itself when there is little to be found in real life.