important note

all the terms - anp/ep, and any pd terms - are used really loosely and just as a general guide!!!!!!! navigating symptoms like this is so damn difficult, we're still on this journey of #learning and #understanding so yeah. THAT doesn't mean we use the terms light heartedly or that we don't really fit them because, we literally do, it's just that there's some inconsistencies / differences between groups of alters.

what the hell is anp or ep supposed to mean

anp = apparently normal part

ep = emotional part

we are just guessing at this (well, so is everyone) but it's a theory about how alters are formed. it helps frame patterns + reactions to external events.

anps are presumed to be able to function practically as well as a singular integrated person - can do their job, perform hobbies and interact with friends & family well enough

eps are presumed to be less elaborated and hold distinct emotions & memories of trauma. they will usually have more amnesia and be less aware of the present (+more rooted in the past). it's easier for them if an anp is nearby but this doesn't always happen.

what do the jumble of letters ending in -pd mean

the pd part means "personality disorder" and the letters before it are a specific kind. references to any pd here is the traits, there is no consensus yet (if any) - pds can be hard to diagnose in did for probably obvious reasons. the cptsd + bpd/npd combo is pretty common/amost a dead cert IMO !

anyways it just gives an idea of the kind of behaviour/reactions to get from that particular alter don't take it too seriously.

bpd = borderline personality disorder

npd = narcissistic personality disorder

szpd = schizoid personality disorder

sztpd = schizotypal personality disorder

in the most BASIC and vague terms, here's an outline of what those things can look like. this is by no means comprehensive, and excludes so much detail & nuance for the sake of brevity and quick comprehension of our individual personalities.

borderlines tend to be more volatile, switching between love and hate with black and white thinking centered on doing good things vs doing bad things

narcissists internalize criticism easily, despite the name + tendency to grandiose delusions, have a diabolically low self esteem. they aim low so that exceeding that expectation feels like a bigger achievement than it is. praise is hard to take and criticism (however slight) is crushing

schizoids have a limited capacity for overall "feeling". no desire for relationships (of any kind; platonic, romantic) and limited/no enjoyment from hobbies/interests

schizotypals are essentially the same to schizoids with added fears of persecution and heightened anxiety. they feel like they are constantly being monitored/watched & feel like there are hidden meanings where there are none