Don't want to integrate?

Q: There are so many of us and we all really don't want to merge into One. But our Counselor wants to see us Merge. We are not Merging EVER. Can you tell me what will happened if we don't Merge and my host is still DID for the rest of her life? - Christina

A: Integration is a choice, not a necessity. Being Multiple doesn't become a true "disorder" until it impairs your ability to live your life (hold a job, meet your basic needs, be as social as you want to be, etc.). Many people with Dissociative Identity Disorder choose not to integrate, and they learn how to function in a healthy manner with their parts through communication, cooperation, compromise, and usually a fair amount of co-consciousness. Other choose not to set integration as a goal for therapy (or life in general) but find that over time they have many alters who seem to slowly blend together into a couple or group of like-minded alters. Integration should really only be a goal or requirement of treatment if the system can not function and communicate well due to a high level of animosity or amnesia.

So, you can choose to not merge, and still have a good life. If your therapist demands integration, state your firm belief/desire to not place that as a goal, and continue to work on other issues. If your counselor refuses to honor this because they think integration must be the goal of treatment, it's time to find a new counselor.