Does the Number of Alters Matter in DID?
(Summary) People with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) may have just a few alters or well over a hundred, a phenomenon called polyfragmentation. While the number of alters is not a measure of severity in itself, it often reflects the extent and repetition of childhood trauma. New alters can still form in adulthood, and greater awareness of existing alters is a normal part of healing. Whether a system pursues full fusion or cooperative coexistence, the number of alters shapes both the challenges and possibilities in recovery.
People who have dissociative identity disorder have at least two alters but may have 100 or more. Having a great many alters is called polyfragmentation. It is common to have around a dozen alters. Having several dozen would be much less common. The number of alters is not significant in itself. But it does tell us something about the trauma history that led to the alters.
The more alters a person has, more likely it is that their childhood is full of severe and repeated trauma. This is not to say that we can compare people’s traumas based on how many altered they have and say who experienced more or worse trauma, because everyone experiences trauma in their own unique way. What is trauma for one person is not traumatic for another. But when we see a system with dozens or hundreds of members, we can have an idea that their trauma was extensive.
I should note that the number of alters a person has can increase in adulthood, as well. Alters may form to handle situations no other alter has handled. For example. DID cannot begin in adulthood, but new alters may form in adulthood.
One other thing I should note: it is common when you are healing to become aware of alters that have been present all along but seem new to you. This reflects increased communication and reduced amnesia barriers between the parts. I wanna make sure you know this is normal and actually a sign of progress. Otherwise, it might look to you like you’re losing ground as the number of alters you have seems to increase.
The other significance to the number of alters the system has is according to the experts, Susette Boone, Kathy Steele, and Onno Van der Hart, is in healing capacity. They report that, in general, the more alters a person has, the lower the person’s integrative capacity tends to be. Having more system members, they say, will likely require the person to work more in therapy while increasing their ability to integrate.
That said, I want to add the complete fusion to a single personality is not the only acceptable outcome. Many people who have DID decide to continue on as a system but one that is able to communicate and collaborate make decisions as a whole. This, too, represents healing and, in my opinion, is an equally valid goal. When the number of system members is high, this cooperative coexistence may be more challenging and may require extra efforts make sure everyone is included in the decisions and so forth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is polyfragmentation in DID?
Polyfragmentation refers to having a very large number of alters, often dozens or even hundreds. While less common, it can occur when a person’s childhood trauma was especially severe and repetitive. Polyfragmentation isn’t “better” or “worse” than having fewer alters—it simply reflects how the system adapted to survive.
Can new alters form in adulthood?
Yes, though DID itself cannot begin in adulthood. New alters may emerge later in life to handle situations that no existing alter has managed. This is a continuation of the system’s capacity to adapt and protect, even after childhood.
Why does it seem like I’m gaining more alters in recovery?
During healing, it’s common to become aware of alters who have been present all along but were hidden behind amnesia barriers. As communication improves, these alters may feel “new” to you, even though they’ve been part of your system for years. This is not regression—it’s actually a sign of progress.
Does the number of alters affect healing?
Experts like Suzette Boon, Kathy Steele, and Onno van der Hart note that systems with more alters may face more complexity and often require more work in therapy. They also tend to have lower integrative capacity, meaning fusion may be harder. However, healing does not have to mean full integration—cooperative coexistence is equally valid, and with communication and collaboration, it can be just as meaningful a recovery goal.