#SideSystem

[system-of-a-feather]

Okay I'm writing a very DID coded scene in the story

And I came up with a good analogy for subsystems / side systems

Duplexs

Its one house; But its two homes

If you share one part of the duplex with your friends, they are housemates; but the people on the other side are both technically and technically not your housemates

The ones you share your half of the duplex with are DEFINITELY your housemates

The people living in the other duplex aren't REALLY your housemates, but also its not like you ARENT sharing a house with them

The norms and boundaries and rules are completely different from housemates (in your duplex) and housemates (on the other half of the duplex)

So the distinction is clear and needed

But also its not as if there aren't unique boundaries and relationships with soemone who shares say a patio and most of the plumbing and a number of bills and what not as you either

And if you zoom out, that is One House

[outnumberedsins]

what is a side system vs sub system vs layer? ive heard multiple definitions of subsystem and im confused (I'm sorry if this sends multiple times my wifi is bad)

No problem! All of these terms are very similar and rely heavily on inner structure. I hope this helps:

'Subsystem' can mean multiple things. The first meaning refers to groups of alters that are somehow linked together and separate from other alters somehow. This could be a group of alters very similar to one another, ones with better communication between one another, or separate in other ways. Subsystems may reside in specific areas of the innerworld or have a separate inner world themselves.

The second definition refers to 'alter-in-alter' subsystems. Think of it like a russian nesting doll - an alter has their own alters. These subsystems may have their own innerworlds and struggle with communicating with those in the main system when fronting.

The third definition is an overarching term for any groupings of alters, including layers and sidesystems. Basically, it's a catch-all term. This definition is the most common within clinical literature, so when reading them, it might be confusing.

Here's an attempt at a visual representation:

The larger subsystem has good communication with the rest of the system and resides in its own area of the innerworld. These parts could have all split to deal with the same specific trauma and are considered a subsystem because they sort of stick together.

The smaller subsystem is a possible example of an alter-in-alter subsystem. The part that's inside the main system may be the "host alter" for that subsystem. Their innerworld is disconnected from the main one and may have communication difficulties.

'Sidesystem' can refer to a programming-specific phenomenon where programmers specifically create programmed parts somewhere completely separate from the main system. I'm using this definition because it's what I was referring to in my previous post, and I don't feel like debating if non-programmed systems can have structures that are similar. In literature, this is seen referred to as 'Left' and 'Right' sides of systems, but they don't necessarily have to be right next to each other. Despite the name, they don't have to be left/right, that's just how some people describe them.

Sidesystems typically have their own innerworld and are used by programmers to keep programmed parts hidden and separate from the main system or those that deal with day to day life. Sidesystems themselves can be layers. There may be one or two higher ups that can travel between sidesystems.

A notable difference between sidesystems and other groupings of alters is the amnesia level. Amnesia barriers between sidesystem alters and non sidesystem alters are huge. While there can be amnesia between other groups, the whole point of sidesystems is to create a completely separate "system," and thus, very heavy amnesia is present.

An attempt at a visual representation:

Sidesystems have no connection with the main system. This can be changed through integration of course, but as a base, they are completely seperate. Ideally, none but a couple alters will know about each other.

'Layers' refers to groups of alters that are separate from the main system, often "stacked" on top of one another. Despite the name, they don't have to be stacked. That's just how some people describe them. Layers are very common within polyfragmented systems, especially programmed systems. Layers often have their own themed innerworld, for example, a city or forest. Alters are typically separated by purpose or other split patterns and may have communication difficulties with other layers. In programming, layers are often seen within sidesystems or are sidesystems themselves. There may be some connection between layers.

An attempt at a visual representation:

In this, there are three layers stacked on each other. The main system has a connection to the layer below them and may be able to communicate more easily. The layer above, however, has no connection, and it may require a higher up part to communicate with them.

As you can see, all of these terms are very similar and can overlap with one another, and all can exist within the same system. At the end of the day, use what you are most comfortable with. Do you just want to call everything a subsystem? That's fine. If you like the specification? That's also fine.

For example, one person says "I kind of visualise it as descending 'containers' of alters. Like it goes, 'sidesystem -> has multiple layers -> has multiple subsystems.' but I know that that isn't everyone's experience."

Another says, "I can't be assed to specify what kind of group it is. I call everything a subsystem. It works for me."

All in all, I hope this helped. Let me know if you have any other questions, and I'll do my best to answer them.

[moonpool-system]

Mindfront: A term for plurals, derivative of "mindform", denoting a system member's status as "in front" within the mind/their mental form, but not necessarily externally, bodily fronting. Many subsystems share a mental form or other inherent connection, and switch between whom is most aware in that subsystem without any effect on bodily front. This is intended for these members and any others that could utilize the concept of "fronting within the mind/headspace".

ex. A system consists of Host A and Subsystem B, with two members. Host A is in front, and Subsystem B is in headspace, with Subsystem member B1 doing things out of bodily front. B1 is mindfronting in their mental form. B1 encounters something their subsystem member enjoys within headspace, so member B2 switches to mindfront and continues headspace activities. Host A may or may not be aware of this; mindfronting generally has no inherent connection with bodily front.

{This post is for ALL plurals! Term was coined with subsystems in mind but free to use for any that need it}

[caelum-columna]

Hello!

We are The Caelum Columna system, an accidentally created sidesystem to @the-hadal-zone-sys .

Our Simplyplural: The-Hadal-Zone

Collectively we use they/them pronouns.

Collective name is Callum.

We are a created sidesystem that is part of a larger non-disordered traumagenic system, so needless to say we are pro-endo. Antis, this is not your space.

This blog likely won't be as active as the primary system's, as of now The Hadal Zone fronts far more often. But we wanted our own space.

Some member info below cut!

🌨️ Cloud - he/they/it/xe - host(?)

🌟🦊 Andromeda - she/they - cohost

🦄 Lilian - they/them

⚫ Singularity - he/she

⚔️🪐 Verseria - she/her

🔷♦️ Haven - it/star/swirl

And more! Members will add themselves as we feel comfortable doing so.

Same tagging system as the main system's blog, more or less!

[redacted-coiner]

would you make a polyfrag did circle graphic please?

Subsystem, Polyfrag, District(link)

Median, Mediple(link), Multiple

Gateway(link), Side System(link), Layered Front(link)

I wanted to do more so uh, have a lot more than just Polyfrag

DNI is listed within my pinned post. Please go read it before interacting with any part of my content. Ask to tag!

[the-silent-fellowship]

Sisasystem

[PT: Sisasystem]

“A sisasystem is an umbrella term for formalized groups within systems such as subsystems, sidesystems, hemisystems, and sparsystems. This can also be used as a general term when a formalized group doesn't fit into any existing group model or term or chooses not to classify itself.” - Pluralpedia(link)

Made this mainly just due to the fact I saw a lack of one so yippee.

[V1 ID: in Alt text]

[V2 ID: in ALT text]

[Tag] @system-term-archive, @pluralitywords, @pluralterms, @radiomogai

[the-masquerade-council]

so like I know I'm poking a bear by asking, but I'm asking out of genuine curiosity /confusion

*if you didn't know, programming and RAMCOA(ritual/ritualized abuse - trauma based mind control - organized abuse)/OEA(organized extreme abuse), are not synonyms. Everyone who has gone through programming has gone through RAMCOA/OEA, but NOT everyone who has gone through RAMCOA/OEA has gone through programming. I don't really think you should be voting on the poll if you don't know this though.

*2 Systems regardless of if they've been through RAMCOA/OEA or not

[decayflux-protocol]

I have a question for systems, specifically HC-DID systems:

Did you ever experience that a subsystem turned into a sidesystem? Or that members were able to "exit a subsystem/sidesystem" and become part of a main system?

I can't believe I have to say this, but traumagenic systems only!!!

[formidablefangs]

I've been planning a while to make a post on the term "syshopping"

Does anyone have any rescources on its coining?

Specifically references for its use before endos as ramcoa term for alters moving between subsystems?

I know it's a hard dig because of how often and flooded its use is from endos using it for "alters moving from one person's system to another" which is batshit, but I'm trying hard to make awareness for its origins at the very least.

because as sys with many layers/sides/subs i would like to use/reclaim that term or offer an alternative disconnected from what endos now use that fits that expirience.

I just wanna vent/have that discussion and have clearer ideas of terms.

If there are any posts of its earlier uses or anything outside endos missuse that would really help

[sophieinwonderland]

Hey, Sophie. I keep hearing that you need to be a RAMCOA system in order to have sidesystems at all. Can you tell me if you believe this is true or not?

Personally, we don’t think so as we don’t (think we) have RAMCOA trauma but still have sidesystems. But we can’t find anything to back up either claim.

Hi!

I got asked about this a long time ago.

What I found then was that the original coining posts for side system have been lost. I'm personally inclined to believe that it being RAMCOA-exclusive was a myth though. Mostly because the claims of the term being stolen arose in 2021, at the same time that the much more verifiably-false claims that "system hopping" was stolen began circulating.

[blue-arsenal]

Sidesystem flag

[pt: sidesystem. end pt]

requested by anon

[coining-system-terms]

This [noun] has a high split tolerance.

Like or reblog if using please. Free to use without credit but credit is appreciated.

Want a userbox, term or flag? Request one!

[outnumberedsins]

is it not a side system if there isnt any amnesia, then? i thought we have side systems, but we dont have any amnesia between alters/switches even if they are far apart IW. The most we ever have is mild disorientation. Most alters can't move to different "layers" or whatever, but can "shout across the barrier" or something to be heard. we have amnesia to formative trauma, but dont forget things or have memory gaps when we switch. (also, does this mean we cant be polyfragmented? we're pretty sure, given the programming, high headcount, and lots of fragments, but we've been told thst because we're pf we must have amnesia)

I hope this isnt a weird question! Your post does help clear things up, thank you

Sidesystems' main function is to keep things separate from the non-programmed parts and to function as a completely separate system. Amnesia can lessen from integration, or when the programming begins to degrade or wasn't good in the first place, but before that, a successful side system would have complete amnesia. I can not tell you what your experiences are, or if you have a sidesystem or not, so that part is up to you.

For the polyfragmented thing, no, it doesn't mean you can't be polyfrag. While it's common that polyfragmented systems have some level of day to day amnesia, amnesia in the form of not remembering trauma is still considered significant, as mentioned in the diagnostic criteria for DID. Day to day amnesia is also not a qualifier for being polyfrag, at least from what I've seen mentioned in a clinical sense. There's also many kinds of amnesia, not just blackout amnesia, if that helps at all.

[tcc-visions-sisasys]

One of @the-cosmic-collective-sys-blog 's sisasystems :)

☆ ROLE CALL !

JUPITER (she/they)

🛰️ Hey dudes! I'm the chick who talks the most, so I'll probably do a lot of the casual posting here! I'm a pretty chill dude, so feel free to chat with me!

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

DUSK (she/her)

🌆 Hello. I'll probably post a lot of writing here-- I write to help process my emotions. I type in a straightforward way, and I don't emote much through text. But I still like helping people; you can come to me for advice if needed.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

WOLFTOPIA [WOLFIE] (she/her)

🧁 HOWDY!! I'm the most energetic member, so get ready for my posts to EXPLODE WITH POSITIVITY!! Unfortunately, I front the least, but WHO CARES!! SUGAR BOMB YEEHAWWW

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

All of us are OCtives; feel free to ask about our source ^^

[fragmentscoining]

Amalgadawn

[Plain Text: Amalgadawn]

Amalgadawn is a subsystem origin using the -dawn suffix where two or more headmates fuse and re-split into a sub- or sidesystem, as opposed to re-splitting within the same system or staying fused as a singular alter. Amalgadawn subsystems may be multiple or median.

The flag was made using the -dawn flag template created by Cluster Brains.

Coined by Summer Rose, an amalgadawn osciliple subsystem from Castle Grounds of Fragments.

Recoin of our own term to clean up the definition.

Requested by: no one

[redacted-coiner]

Submate, Sisamate, Sidemate(link)

System Transmasc(link), Discmate(link), System Transfem(link)

Levian, Eclian, Azlian(link)

Brrrrrr

DNI is listed within my pinned post. Please go read it before interacting with any part of my content. Ask to tag!