The Different Healing Goals for Systems

History of Treatment

Fusion as the sole goal of therapy for dissociative identity disorder is very outdated in our current understanding of the disorder. For a very long time, fusion was seen as the only goal of treatment for DID, but we now know that there are other options. Fusion, sometimes referred to in the past as integration, is a valid and potentially healing goal. Still, it’s only one of a few healing goals available to the patient, and the patient should always be in charge of their own goals and pathways. The two most commonly mentioned healing paths for systems are ‘Fusion’ and ‘Functional Multiplicity’, although some systems choose to simply focus on healing the trauma and not focus on the number of alters in relation to their healing path.

History of Community Terminology – Integration vs. Fusion

Sometimes terminology changes. In the past, integration was often used to describe what we now call fusion. Integration now refers to the building of communication between alters, the breaking down of amnesiac barriers, and often the viewpoint of alters all working together as a cohesive collective rather than a bunch of separate individuals.

Final Fusion

Fusion is when two alters merge to become a new alter. The new alter is a new person in its own right, but carries some of the memories and characteristics of the alters that fused. Final fusion is the merging of all alters into one identity, and is one of the possible goals in the healing process. It was once considered the only goal and “cure”. The problem is that the disorder is much more than just the alters. Also, once the brain knows how to split, if more trauma happens, even after a full fusion, it could still split again.

Functional Multiplicity

Functional Multiplicity is the goal of learning to work together and coexist in harmony in a functional and healthy way while actively remaining multiple. This often involves breaking down daily amnesiac barriers and increasing communication between alters. Many systems that choose functional multiplicity as a healing goal choose it because of the emphasis it places on accepting alters and your system and learning to live with DID or OSDD rather than working against it.

Choosing to Focus on Integration & Healing from Trauma

Some systems choose to focus their healing goals on healing from trauma, managing triggers, developing healthy coping skills, and on integration rather than fusion. These systems focus on building communication, lowering amnesiac barriers, and seeing their system as a cohesive collective working together as one machine rather than a bunch of individuals working separately. They do not place any specific emphasis on the number of alters as part of their treatment plan. They don’t tie their goals to fusing into one identity or maintaining diversity; they allow fusions to happen naturally and focus on the healing process.