Multiplicity and Plurality Wiki
Multiplicity and Plurality Wiki
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Endogenic plurality is a catch-all term for non-traumagenic plurality, meaning the state of being more than one identity in a body in a way that was not caused by traumatic experiences. This is in contrast to Traumagenic plurality, such as in dissociative identity disorder. The word "endogenic" comes from the prefix "endo-" meaning "internal/within", combined with the suffix "-genic" meaning "produced or caused by". The label was coined by The Lunastus Collective, as an alternative to needing to use the word multiplicity to describe such experiences. It was originally defined as multiplicity with no known cause but not since birth, but the definition has since expanded and been used as an umbrella term by the community. Endogenic systems currently have no scientific backing behind them, due to the main explanation of complex dissociative disorders being the Structural Dissociation Theory.

Specific types of systems that may refer to themselves as endogenic include, but are not limited to, Natural Systems, Tulpa Systems, Soulbond Systems and Gateway Systems. Other types of systems that fall under the endogenic umbrella can be found in the Endogenic System Types category. However, it is possible for alters to hide trauma as it is a covert disorder.

Non-traumagenic systems are a highly debated topic among the CDD community. The idea that a system can just "appear" can be seen as harmful to traumagenic systems being fake-claimed. No evidence proves or disproves the existence of endogenic systems; however, some notable figures have recognized non-traumagenic plurality. Some systems who think they are endogenic may have trauma they don't remember, or could be experiencing a psychotic spectrum disorder or other dissociative disorder. Endogenic systems can still have trauma, but trauma is not the cause of their plurality.

For a list of all endogenic origins hosted on this wiki, go to Category:Endogenic System Types.

Distinguishing From Other Experiences[]

Mental disorders: Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD-1), are mental disorders, commonly as a trauma response, that cause pathological multiplicity. It's not uncommon for DID and OSDD-1 systems to mistake their pathological experiences for something non-pathological, such as imaginary friends, spiritual possession, an endogenic system, or other forms of non-pathological multiplicity.  This is because amnesia of childhood trauma is very common. In addition, many pathological systems are not distressed or even aware of their dissociative symptoms until later in life.  This is why it's important to talk to a professional if you believe you are experiencing multiplicity in order to rule out pathological causes, as various forms of disordered and non-disordered neurodiversity can also make a person feel like they have this disorder.

References[]

  1. https://web.archive.org/web/20200409225809/https://powertotheplurals.com/origin-of-endogenic-and-traumagenic-system-terminology-guest-post-by-the-trashcan-collective/
  2. ↑ Long ramble on terminology creation by not-your-fucking-pet on Tumblr
  3. ↑ https://www.isst-d.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/childguidelines-ISSTD-2003.pdf
  4. ↑ http://did-research.org/did/basics/presentation.html
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