Finch Fam System Info

Created by the Discord Finch Staff

Not an official Finch Team resource

common system termscommon system roles

what is a system?

A system is two or more personalities (commonly known as alters) within one body. Often these alters are very different from each other, though they can act or seem similar. They are all individuals and should be treated as such, even though they belong to the same body.
what is a system? image

kindness and respect towards systems

We ask that you please treat all systems and their members with respect. please keep the following in mind:
  • introjects are not their source
  • treat alters as individuals
  • do not ask about alters fronting triggers
  • do not purposefully trigger an alter to front
  • don't ask for certain alters (unless you have been given permission to do so)


kindness and respect towards systems image

common system terms

Age sliders can present at different ages depending on different circumstances. Age sliders may slide within a specific range of ages, may only present as certain fixed ages, or might experience a combination of these two. Alters that age slide can act differently and present very differently depending on age
An alter is an individual in a system. They are also called personalities, parts, or identities depending on the system. They can have their own identity and may have their own name, appearance, hobbies, etc. How distinct each alter is from the other varies from system to system. Every alter has a reason for being in the system.

Blending is usually when there are multiple people at front, but it’s not easy to tell who is doing what. This is also the case when two or more alters get very close to front but don’t completely switch.
When you’re not completely sure of who you are when fronting. More of an identity confusion of “who am I” rather than a confusion of who is doing what.
When two or more alters are near front, and are aware of each other, it’s said that they are co-conscious. It’s as if the alter fronting is the one driving the car, and the  co-conscious alter(s) are in the passenger seat watching.
Co-fronting is when two or more alters are in control of the body and are aware of what’s going on. They can either both have full body control, or an alter will only control one part of the body.
Disconnection between a person’s thoughts, memories, feelings, actions, or sense of who they are. This is common in everyone but happens more and to a more severe degree to people with dissociative disorders. From an outside perspective, dissociation can look like the person “zoning out.”
Dormancy is a term that is sometimes censored to prevent triggering systems. Dormancy happens when an alter becomes unreachable by the rest of the system and becomes inactive. They do not front, nor come near front. It’s said to be like a deep sleep. This isn’t permanent and alters can come out of dormancy.
Fragmentation is when a small fragment is split off of an alter, usually to hold trauma in order to allow the alter to return to their job/role. This is usually a natural response and uncontrolled.
Being in control of the body.
Being unable to leave the front and give up control of the body. Some alters that are frontstuck are able to go co-conscious, but unable to completely leave front.
Many systems have an internal world where the alters can manifest as themselves and interact. These can range in size and complexity. Different systems can have different ranges of control over their innerworld.
Another term that is commonly censored to avoid triggering systems. Integration is the process of two or more alters becoming a single alter. This is achieved by lowering dissociative barriers, improving communication, and merging into one.
This is generally recommended to be done in therapy only due to unhealthy fusion existing, however it can also happen involuntarily.
Integration can also be considered a system being able to work together in order to be a single functioning unit.
Fusion/Integration isn’t something to be afraid of and is a part of healing.
Time loss is a period of time where one or more alters can’t account for, due to another alter being in front, or due to dissociation. Time loss can range anywhere from a few seconds to years. Medically called Dissociative Amnesia. It’s very common in systems, and is actually a big symptom.
The world that isn’t the innerworld. Where alters go when fronting. The physical world that the body occupies. Etc.
An individual that isn’t a system. This term isn’t meant to be derogatory.
Another term that is commonly censored to avoid triggering systems. Splitting is what causes new alters to form. Splitting can only occur due to a stressor or trauma, despite if the stressor is negative or not. Splitting can be like ‘splitting an alter in half,’ but also a split in the entire system is possible, where it’s unsure exactly who the new alter split off of.
Debating whether something relating to systems is real, possible or valid. This could for example be debate about certain system origins, certain terminology, experiences, etc.

common system roles

Holds the rage and anger that comes from trauma, especially childhood abuse. Likely to hate the abusers, more so than the rest of the system. May want to seek vengeance or retribution, and can be hostile towards people who get in the way of that.
It’s important to remember that every alter is their own person, and should be treated as a person, despite their actions.
A type of protector that is focused specifically on taking care of other alters or the body.
Also falling under the umbrella of "introject" factives are introjects based on factual sources such as celebrities, friends, or family members.
Falling under the umbrella of "introject" fictives are introjects based on fictional sources such as books, movies, or games
Gatekeepers are alters that have specific abilities over the rest of the system. Some can: Control switching, access to front, access to certain innerworld areas, access to certain alters, access to memories, and modify the innerworld.
Gatekeepers are especially helpful in systems, but not required.
Internal self helpers are alters that may hold lots of information of the system, such as alters, trauma, and/or internal workings. They can also be extremely helpful in systems.
The term introject is commonly used as an umbrella term, referring to alters who are formed based on an outside source. This source could be a real person, a fictional character, even a song or holiday! Its important to remember that introjects are not their source, and should be treated like any other person you meet.
Littles are child alters in a system.
Middle is a term usually used by systems with an older body, they are for alters that aren’t exactly adults, but aren’t littles, either.
Non-human alters are alters that see themselves as animals, fantasy creatures, objects, ghosts, hybrids, etc. There are many potential reasons for alters to be nonhuman, and it’s very common.
Protectors are alters that protect the body or system. There’s various types such as physical protector, emotional protector, etc.

It’s important to note that all alters are people and should be treated as such.
Persecutors are alters that may seem harmful, but in reality simply have a twisted way of protecting or poor coping skills. By showing love, affection, understanding, and patience, one can help persecutors recover. No matter how negative they may seem, they are still people and need to be treated as such.
Many consider persecutors to be negative. This is “stigmatizing.” This server does not support the stigmatization of persecutors.
Traumaholders are alters who hold memories that are traumatic in nature.
Symptomholders are similar, though they hold symptoms. They can be physical symptoms such as sickness, or mental symptoms such as anxiety.
Symptomholders that hold sickness could just more commonly front while the body is sick, not cause the sickness.
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