Polyfragmented

Polyfragmented is a clinical term that refers to dissociative systems with a very high number of alters/headmates, meaning at least 100.Bray-Haddock, D. (2001). Dissociative Identity Disorder Sourcebook Polyfragmented systems also typically have a complex inner structure,Miller, A. (2012). Healing the Unimaginable. including the presence of sisasystems, headmates arranged in layers, and a high number of fragments.
==Common Traits== 
Commonalities among polyfragmented systems are:
*Complex internal structures like subsystems, sidesystems, and layersThe Phenomenology and Treatment of Extremely Complex Multiple Personality Disorder (1988): https://scholarsbank.uoregon.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/1794/1396/Diss_1_4_8_OCR_rev.pdf;sequence=4
*Alters with memories of incest are common
*Active and detailed inner worlds
*Problematic and long-lasting dissociation including all the core symptoms of DID or OSDD
*Polyfragmented systems are always traumagenic, although some headmates do may not be trauma-holders
*Some systems split easily for example from trivial stressors, both during and after trauma, or split off multiple fragments at once, or in certain patterns
*A number of "well defined" headmates that may be similar to non-polyfragmented systems, including a relatively small main fronting groupThe BASK Model of Dissociation (1988): https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/36679914.pdf
*Internal divisions based on different time periods (epochs) for example splitting multiple new alters because of major life changes
*Depression, complex PTSD, and multiple mental health struggles, which some systems may be able to maskSchwartz, H.L. (2013). The Alchemy of Wolves and Sheep: A Relational Approach to Internalized Perpetration in Complex Trauma Survivors
*Complex patterns of amnesia, which may be layered and outside of conscious awareness, there may be some co-consciousnessAPA (2013). DSM-5 DID description.
*Large number of headmates are introjects
Multiple numbers have been given for the minimum number of headmates required to be a polyfragmented system; anything from "dozens"Rebuilding Shattered Lives: Treating Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders by James A. Chu https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-8VoM1ogXFrO5UPgB4VISZQ1REDP83W4, 26+, 50+https://themighty.com/2021/01/polyfragmented-dissociative-identity-disorder-experience/#:~:text=my%20body%20with-,50%2B%20parts,-of%20myself.%20Making to at least 100Learn About DID. Polyfragmented Dissociative Identity Disorder, which is why the exact number of headmates is less relevant than the other symptoms listed above.
==Related Experiences==
Polyfragmented systems are often aware of some of the reasons for their polyfragmentation.Allen, Faith (2009). What is Polyfragmented Dissociative Identity Disorder? Blooming Lotus. Among polyfragmented patients seeking treatment, the following experiences have been observed as contributing to polyfragmentation:
*Being initially unaware of their polyfragmentation (some groups of system members hiding behind amnesiac walls)
*Long-term trauma that is or was part of day-to-day life
*A history of ritualistic, organised, "creative", or notably "vicious" or "sadistic" abuse
*Lack of non-dissociative coping strategies and psychological defenses
*Obsessive symptoms
*Purposeful exploitation of dissociative responses by abusers.
==History==
Originally, "extremely complex" and "polyfragmented" were separate terms originating from separate researchers. Systems with 15 or more members have been recognized as complex by one researcher,Ross, CA 1989. Multiple Personality Disorder
Diagnosis, Clinical Features, and Treatment. and 26 or more were recognized as extremely complex by another researcher, even if they are not large enough to be polyfragmented. 
"Polyfragmented" originates from Bennett G. Braun in 1986, specifying 100+ dissociative parts, most of which are limited, for example to a single emotion or a single set of memories.Braun, BG. Treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder. Pages xii, 20
Richard Kluft defined and studied "complex MPD" in his paper The Phenomenology and Treatment of Extremely Complex Multiple Personality Disorder from 1988 focusing on a little over two dozen cases, despite first being introduced in 1979https://this-is-not-dissociative.tumblr.com/post/186174487079/polyfragmented-systems/embed. The minimum number for his definition is 26, coming from double the upper modal number of alters in a system he found from an earlier study. (Kluft admits it is an arbitrary number.) It covers common patterns within complex systems, treatment outcomes, and highlights some of the cases that exemplify certain points. The paper even includes a table highlighting commonalities.
Eventually, these terms merged into one, but favoring the latter's title (possibly because of the emergence of the Complex Dissociative Disorder label creating a redundancy). The term "super multiple" has appeared in community literature with no known origin as wellDivided Hearts (1998). Some Facts about DID/MPD. https://web.archive.org/web/19980201031556/http://www.dhearts.org/libraries/dhnews/dhnews2.html#Some%20Facts%20about%20DID/MPD.
== Related Terms ==
Polyfragmented Dissociative Identity Disorder is the most studied form of this phenomena, with polyfragmented OSDD,Gringrich, H. (2020). 
Restoring the Shattered Self: A Christian Counselor's Guide to Complex Trauma. p39 Figure 3.1.traumadissociation.com. Polyfragmented DID or OSDD DDNOS and atypical dissociative disorder also being recognised. Polyfragmented Partial Dissociative Identity Disorder does not yet have clinical recognition, but this is similar to the OSDD, and only found in the ICD-11 diagnostic manual.World Health Organisation. Partial Dissociative Identity Disorder. ICD-11..DSM-IV, DSM-III-R Poly-synkró is a related term to describe polyfragmented OSDD-1b experiences. 
"Complex" in reference to system structure or type (for example, C-DID) can be used in a multitude of ways, but is commonly used as analogous to polyfragmented with a lesser focus on headmate count, similar to the original definition laid out by Kluft. Additionally, "Highly Complex" (HC-DID) has been created by online communities to even further signify a level of intricacy and complexity, due to experiencing programming. 
Modular systems are similar to those with polyfragmentationhttp://www.traumatys.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Dissociation-DID-Kluft-1991.pdf, and can be considered a subtypehttps://kinhost.org/Main/Polyfragmented under some circumstances.
Polyfractal is a community term for systems that have an even larger number of headmates than most polyfragmented systems, but is not commonly used, as polyfragmented does not have an upper limit. When a system has many non-fragments, they may prefer polymultiple. For median systems, polyfaceted is a similar term. Polyplural encompasses all of these.
Multifragmented is a community term used as a less-medicalised alternative or one for system that somewhat but not quite match the definition of polyfragmented.
==Differences with daydreaming ==
Polyfragmented systems have headmates who can repeatedly take physical control of the body (because of their DID or OSDD), these systems are not formed from daydreaming. Some people who compulsively daydream have over 100 "inner characters" within an "inner world" who interact with one another during their long daydreams, daydreamers may make physical movements or speak during daydreaming episodes, this is not called polyfragmented but is lesser known form of dissociating known as Maladaptive Daydreaming Disorder.Christensen, E. M. (2022). The online community: DID and plurality.. Maladaptive daydreaming is not linked to severe childhood abuse, but like polyfragmented systems their characters are often introjects or fictives. It is possible to have both maladaptive daydreaming and polyfragmented DID or OSDD.SomerClinic. Dream Prisoners.
== Gallery ==
Polyfragmented by voidestral.png|Polyfragmented flag by voidestral.
Polyfragmented.png|alt=A flag with 5 vertical stripes. The outer two are light blue, the inner two are thin white stripes, and the central stripe is wide and hot pink.|Polyfragmented flag by Grey Skies.
Polyfragmented By Mod Mala.png|Polyfragmented flag by Mod Mala from not-your-introsource.
==References==
Category:Terms that describe system count
Category:Common Terms
Category:Psychiatric Terms
Category:Structure