DID Physical symptoms in switching?

[Dark.Green.Feathers]

Those with DID or OSDD, do you get physical symptoms when switching?

The past couple times another part has been around strongly, I’ve been suddenly very tired, hazy and sometimes a bit dizzy/lightheaded. I’ve really wanted to drop everything and lie down, which I have done both times.

Never had this before, with or without the mental symptoms. From what I remember switches have been very covert for the most part and not with any sensations. Also don’t experience dizzy spells or anything like that normally. Sleeping very well, too.
T said it sounded very typical of switching to her, but I’m not familiar with what it can “feels” like, other than more typical dissociation that we’ve had, feeling “backstaged”, etc. internal stuff.

What’s your experience?

 

[RainbowSearchParty]

It depends. Sometimes the sqitches are swift and easy like you describe as "covert." Sometimes there is a very specific, burning headache. Sometimes we fall asleep and it happens then. Sometimes it is the sensation of being tugged backwards very suddenly, like there is some sort of weird internal gravity taking us further back into the headspace.

 

[Sideways]

For me, it’s not the change from one part to the next, it’s more that the bodily experience of each part is different.

A great example is a friend of mine who needs a cane to walk due to a neurological condition. Except, one of her alters doesn’t. They walk just fine without it.

For me, one of my parts is hypermanic. Always. So, my bodily experience when she’s fronting is racing thoughts, crazy energy. Another of my parts is always incredibly stressed with an anxious kind of energy that can feel like I’m approaching a panic attack.

Sometimes, despite my DID, I have the types of dissociative experiences more common with depersonalisation - total space cadet. Usually tired, my respiration becomes almost non-existent, brain fog, flat affect, non-responsive - more of your typical “temporarily checking out” type experience.

 

[arfie]

Never had this before, with or without the mental symptoms.

i don't suffer DID, but i experience physical symptoms with all of my various psychotic states. early into recovery i solidly believed it was all in my head and discredited supporters who attempted to talk about those physical symptoms. as my recovery progressed, so did my awareness of those physical symptoms. i can now see they were there all along.

for what it's worth
shifting my focus to addressing those physical symptoms seems to help substantially.