the Multiple toolkit

an introduction to the politics and practice of Multiplicity.

what is Multiplicity?

Multiplicity (i.e. the self-described state of being a person that is made up of many people, multiple parts, multiple personality states, or multiple identities) is a model anybody may apply to themselves to understand and engage with themselves with more clarity and freedom.

it is intentionally distinguished here from Plurality (i.e. the self-described state of having many people, parts, identities, or entities 'within' one body or mind) [1, 2, 3] to emphasise the collective personhood and thus holistic agency of the Multiple person, although these manners of self-concept are not mutually exclusive nor typically distinguished. Multiplicity is also intentionally distinguished here from experiences of complex dissociation and the state-of-being implied by a Dissociative Identity Disorder diagnosis, as it is the author's belief that individuals that experience complex dissociation should be allowed greater agency and freedom with regards to sense-making—while many individuals that experience complex dissociation may engage with Multiplicity, it should be understood that they do so as a tool for understanding and expression, not because they are objectively 'different' in or within themselves.

to emphasise the nature of Multiplicity as a tool and self-concept that is practiced by individuals and may be freely engaged with, and also to avoid confusion with generalised use of the word 'multiplicity' across Plural and DID discourse, this concept may also be referred to as the Model of Multiplicity.

the (Model of) Multiplicity approaches the struggle for Self in each and every postmodern Multiphrenic individual [1, 2, 3] by promoting the known therapeutic benefits of understanding and approaching oneself as Multiple [1] and embracing freedom of identity and the validity of subjective personhood. it may (for those already Plural) be understood as a form of adaptive Plurality that chooses to resist (for oneself) traditional Plural paradigms around one's body being a vessel or 'host'; the Multiple's body and life is unequivocably theirs.

Multiplicity encourages you to model yourself as multiple self-aspects, in any way that may come to be helpful to you, and to express and understand these self-aspects, in any way that may come to be helpful to you. the ultimate goal of practiced Multiplicity is improvement in quality of life due to better understandings and acceptance of one's Self (i.e. one's various needs, desires, and preferences), as well as greater integration (inner cohesion, cooperation, and overall presence) going forward.

as a tool that resembles early treatment in DID [1 p.91, 2, 3], Multiplicity may also be highly beneficial for individuals that suffer from complex dissociation. moreover, Multiple identity may be functionally identical to one's Plural identity, making the distinction unimportant to some. however, Multiplicity is intentionally intended to also be inclusive of those that may not identify with clinical models nor modern Plural cultures (due to implicit gatekeeping or ideological distinctions); most importantly, it is for anyone who feels they may benefit from it, to use.

if you, reading this, feel you would benefit from Multiplicity: take it on!, and make it your own.