A lot of invisible work goes into periods of stability. It is what makes the stability possible and it is the reason why these periods can be tiring even without crises to deal with. Even during calm times, parts may be
- monitoring the environment
- managing emotions
- preventing overwhelm
- staying alert for danger
- coordinating switching
- holding memories
- containing distress
- keeping daily life organized
Even in times of calm and stability, the system may be expending energy due to masking to make it less likely people will notice the system. For many people, the nervous system remains hypervigilant and watching for danger even during calm times. This can be tiring, as well.
This page is part of the Why Is DID So Exhausting? section of the CommuniDID site, which explains the hidden cognitive and emotional effort involved in dissociation, including internal coordination, memory management, and vigilance.
Explore related topics:
- Questions about Exhaustion and DID
- For an in-depth look at the various aspects of DID which can demand so much energy, see Why DID Can Be So Exhausting Even When Nothing Happened.
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