hey uh we’re a system of about 14ish (self diagnosed due to our financial and familial situation) and i downloaded simply plural to keep track of who fronts and who doesn’t and for how long and stuff, and when i try to add more members i’m unable? it’s not an app problem more like i’m having trouble knowing the alters who barely front, is that normal/okay and is there something else i should know? i’m sorry to just ask this jansjdnd (also this can be public)
Hi there, thanks for the question! Again, very sorry it has taken a few days to respond. I hope that I can be helpful to you.
In my experience and the knowledge I have of the experiences of other systems, it is generally very hard to conclusively figure out exactly how many alters or system members you have. Some may not have made themselves known for a reason, and so you may not be aware of them until they are ready or until they make themselves known in some other way. Other alters may be unable to reach out and communicate for whatever reason, and it may be very hard to get any information about them without therapy and healing in some way.
Some alters may also have more knowledge about internal alters than you do, and may be keeping that information from you for a reason. Some alters may not be fully formed or conscious enough to even attempt to communicate. These are all potential possibilities for why you may not be aware of all your possible alters. It is definitely not an exhaustive reasons list though, as each system is different and alters may remain hidden for very specific reasons.
It can be difficult to be aware that there are alters that you are not aware of. Being a system can already be difficult to come to terms with, as the idea that others may be able to gain control over the body can be scary if good communication and boundaries and trust have not been established. The idea that there are people who you are not even aware of and have no communication with can be worrying. Generally, systems are a survival mechanism, so it generally all serves some kind of survival function even if it may not seem that way right now.
My best advice for this situation is to not pressure any alters to make themselves known before they are ready. It is normal to not know about all the alters within your system, especially if they are primarily internal alters. I hope this helps!
Much love,
MWS (Magic Wishes System)