Questions
Hearing about the topic of endogenic plurality can bring up a bunch of questions, especially for those used to dealing with traumatic forms of plurality, as well as those who are figuring out themselves. This FAQ is for those who are questioning or are skeptical of the concept, and answers both metaphysical and psychological questions about the topics.
Question: What is plurality?
Plurality is the state or condition of being more-than-one mentally, and includes groups such as endogenic systems, traumagenic systems, tulpamaners, soulbonder, those who are unsure of their origins, both metaphysical and psychologically oriented systems, and others who may be uncategorized or have more than one person with them. It's a large community, and not everyone who may fit underneath the label necessarily considers themselves plural.
Question: How should I treat the members of a plural system?
Generally the same way you'd treat any other person. If the system has any rules in place for how other members should be treated, respect them. Understand that for some the external world may be confusing and they may need time to understand and process what is going on, if they've never been out before. If a system claims a trauma origin, do not ask about their trauma, or pry into the details (unless they want to tell you), and do not treat the members as lesser for having gone through trauma. Overall, treat system members as ordinary people, and treat them with respect. When in doubt, ask those who monitor or otherwise are in charge of the inner workings of the system (such as hosts, main fronters, etc.) how they and other members would like to be treated.
Question: Does plurality work like how it does in the movies?
No. Media depictions of plurality are often sensationalized, inaccurate portrayals designed to follow plot points or create drama. In reality, plurality is simply sharing a mind with another person or set of people, does not bring on superpowers, and there are rarely any "serial killer" system members out there. You are more likely to meet dangerous or horrid "serial killer" singlets than you are anyone in a system, especially since most singlets do not have someone else with them trying to ensure they are mentally healthy and/or safe from dangers.
Question: What are the physical changes some systems go through?
Some systems appear to go through physiological changes associated with switching and changing fronters, due to changing neuronal activity. These changes (psychosomatic changes) are often mundane and will not surpass the physical limits of the body, meaning that while a system may experience changes in immune functioning or different reactions to certain medications, a system will not become the size of a bodybuilder or take on the speed of a cheetah. They are limited to what they are physically capable of, even if the changes are involuntary or cannot be accessed by other system members.
Question: Is it possible to be more-than-one without being endogenic?
Yes, it is possible. There are those under the plural umbrella who consider themselves traumagenic, or believe that trauma is what created or formed their plurality, as well as those who don't know what caused it or have both non-traumagenic and traumagenic system members. They may or may not be diagnosed with a dissociative disorder. Some may take solace in the fact that there are treatment options available for their plurality, and seek out mental health care, while others may view themselves as healthy or empowered plurals, and disagree that their experiences are inherently a disorder.
Plurality is the state or condition of being more-than-one mentally, and includes groups such as endogenic systems, traumagenic systems, tulpamaners, soulbonder, those who are unsure of their origins, both metaphysical and psychologically oriented systems, and others who may be uncategorized or have more than one person with them. It's a large community, and not everyone who may fit underneath the label necessarily considers themselves plural.
Question: How should I treat the members of a plural system?
Generally the same way you'd treat any other person. If the system has any rules in place for how other members should be treated, respect them. Understand that for some the external world may be confusing and they may need time to understand and process what is going on, if they've never been out before. If a system claims a trauma origin, do not ask about their trauma, or pry into the details (unless they want to tell you), and do not treat the members as lesser for having gone through trauma. Overall, treat system members as ordinary people, and treat them with respect. When in doubt, ask those who monitor or otherwise are in charge of the inner workings of the system (such as hosts, main fronters, etc.) how they and other members would like to be treated.
Question: Does plurality work like how it does in the movies?
No. Media depictions of plurality are often sensationalized, inaccurate portrayals designed to follow plot points or create drama. In reality, plurality is simply sharing a mind with another person or set of people, does not bring on superpowers, and there are rarely any "serial killer" system members out there. You are more likely to meet dangerous or horrid "serial killer" singlets than you are anyone in a system, especially since most singlets do not have someone else with them trying to ensure they are mentally healthy and/or safe from dangers.
Question: What are the physical changes some systems go through?
Some systems appear to go through physiological changes associated with switching and changing fronters, due to changing neuronal activity. These changes (psychosomatic changes) are often mundane and will not surpass the physical limits of the body, meaning that while a system may experience changes in immune functioning or different reactions to certain medications, a system will not become the size of a bodybuilder or take on the speed of a cheetah. They are limited to what they are physically capable of, even if the changes are involuntary or cannot be accessed by other system members.
Question: Is it possible to be more-than-one without being endogenic?
Yes, it is possible. There are those under the plural umbrella who consider themselves traumagenic, or believe that trauma is what created or formed their plurality, as well as those who don't know what caused it or have both non-traumagenic and traumagenic system members. They may or may not be diagnosed with a dissociative disorder. Some may take solace in the fact that there are treatment options available for their plurality, and seek out mental health care, while others may view themselves as healthy or empowered plurals, and disagree that their experiences are inherently a disorder.
