Honestly baffled ........????

[avalen]

and I don't know how to act. For the first time ever in my life, I don't know what to say..
here's the issue, the deal, the problem? see, I have no clue what to even call it, so just jumping in and spitting it
out here..
Sons new girlfriend has multiple personalities, I've met two that I know of and maybe 3. She went with us to the
Thanksgiving dinner and son introduced her to the rest of the family and ex family. All went well. I've done some
research on the topic, even read up on a few support forums and that confused me even more. I've never known
anyone with multiple personalities, at least I've never been aware of it. Can life get any more complicated? Son
seems ok with this, guess he figures he has multiple girlfriends
omg, do I feel better getting that out
anyway, the new girlfriend(s) is very nice and very open about it and I've really made her feel welcome but its
getting a little crowded here. I don't know who to thank for doing the dishes. So far, I've treated her as one,
but I have no clue if that is right or wrong, cause I certainly don't want to offend anyone.
Can I just retire and hit the road now....soon, but not soon enough.

[retiredhappy]

OMG, I wouldn't know how to handle that either. Is she in therapy? My understanding is that multiple personalities comes from some really big trama. The question is, will your son like the one personality that becomes dominate? You need to retire PDQ and get out of there. Its always easier to deal with family from a distance.

[avalen]

yes, shes been in therapy, guess thats why she's so open about it. The trauma was her parents getting killed in a car wreck and
she went from foster home to foster home and was finally adopted. She's now 30 years old.

[havingfunnow]

So, in the course of therapy, did each personality meet all the others? If yes, possibly they won't mind being called each others' names. I've known identical twins who never had a problem with the confusion, so maybe this is like that.

Crowded . . . oh, yeah. You really need the open road!

[avalen]

did each personality meet all the others?

how is that even possible
I feel like I'm in a sitcom right now

[havingfunnow]

I think I once read something about a therapeutic technique designed to make each personality aware of the others -- that is, "meet" them. I have no idea how it works or even if it works, but it would help with the confusion if it did.

They say "truth is stranger than fiction," and in this case, they're right!

[SoCalGalcas]

OMG!!!!! That is really something Ava. I usually have an opinion on everything, but your situation has me baffled too. I guess, just smile and be nice. That's what I do when I cannot hear what someone is saying to me. lyn

[JudyJB]

I think you definitely need to find a counselor and/or support group to learn about this. There is also some thoughts that there is really no such thing as multiple personalities.

Whatever is the truth about this condition, it is a serious and possibly lifelong disorder, and you need help dealing with it. I hope your son is getting counseling also. Good that you have been looking for information on this. I also would be completely floored by this and would have no idea what to do, either. Sounds very scary as a parent.

[linann]

Agree with Judy, this is scary. Have you actually observed all her personalities? There may be more problems/issues than realized.

[BirdbyBird]

If she knew enough to explain her condition, can you ask her to recommend how best to address her?

[avalen]

I did ask her what I should call her, she said Alisha and I guess thats the one listed on her drivers license. Then there is the
6 year old, her name is Alicia, she said I could call her Alice, and then yesterday morning there was Lucinda. This is just
so weird, Alisha does laundry, Alicia plays and jumps around like a child, scurrys out the door and things like that, and the
one thing so far that I have noticed about Lucinda is that she has that throat clearing thing all the time, a grown up and
on the quiet side. All of these personalities tend to stick to my son like glue and I haven't really had a whole lot of discussion
with him about it. He did come in my room yesterday and tell me she was Lucinda now and will be for awhile I guess.
I really don't want to have to deal with this but it is what it is, and thank God I can go to work tomorrow and think about a normal
world. I've always thought this place was a real zoo with sons numerous little homeless friends that stop by and get a meal or
a shower from time to time. This newest thing is just too much for my little old lady brain.

[Bethers]

Has she moved in? How soon can you get back in the 5er?

[BirdbyBird]

yes, what Beth asked ?

[BarbaraRose]

That is totally bizarre! I guess I would talk to your son about it and see what he says. Are they serious? How long have they been dating? Maybe it won't last too long. The 6 year old one would be tough to deal with, especially for your son who would be "dating" her too! How often do the personalities switch? Hourly, daily, weekly?

Maybe look on line some more and find a forum to ask those questions. Sounds like your son attracts needy people in his life. Nothing wrong with that as long as he doesn't get taken advantage of, and he realizes that not everyone wants to be or can be helped.

Good luck!

[havingfunnow]

Yes, Beth's question. Dealing with them from time to time is one thing; living in the same house is quite another.

It occurs to me that your school system probably has a psychiatrist on staff for the kids. That person could probably direct you to some information.