Do people with multiple personalities recognize ppl they know?

To answer the title question, this depends on the multiple. Some systems are able to communicate this type of thing. Other multiples, if an alter is out and a friend of the host says hello, they may not know who they are- likewise if the host is out and someone who knows an alter approaches them.

1- This is quite common. Often there are alters who identify as the host at a younger age due to a traumatic event. It is, of course, also important to realise that as alters are all part of ONE person, they've simply been split off, that they are technically all parts of the host, from the age at which they were created, even if they don't identify as such.

2. Some multiples opt to undergo something called "integration" as a goal of therapy- that is, they opt to integrate all of their alters into one personality. After wards, they would be considered "normal" This is rarely achieved without therapy.

3. Yes, while it is rare for a multiple to be aware of alters before therapy, it does sometimes happen. Most multiples are aware of when they are about to switch- sometimes they feel like they are falling, they may get a headache, they might blink rapidly, or the room might go dark etc. Generally switches happen quickly and they know only immediately before.

However, YA is not a suitable source for papers. Here are some reliable sources that give solid information on DID-

http://www.isst-d.org/

http://sidran.org/

http://www.sho.com/site/video/brightcove... (this is part of a promo for a TV show about DID, but the doctor in this documentary is an expert on DID and gives excellent info)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissociativ... (cannot be cited, but gives direct links to many excellent and citable scholarly papers)

The study of multiple personality disorder (a type of dissociative disorder) is very controversial. Among professionals there is absolutely no consensus if MPD even exists, let alone if there are consistencies among people with that disorder.

I would suggest you do some Google searches to research the different viewpoints about the nature of MPD and about the creation and synthesis of the personalities (the goal is NEVER to get rid of or "overcome" any of the personalities, but to bring them together in a coherent single personality). From what I know about MPD cases, the "waking" (primary) personality typically is not aware of the other personalities, so they don't know how to handle something they are not aware of. That personality is usually confused by "blank spots" in their memories, often times that another personality has been in control. Please keep in mind that what you call the "original" personality is not a whole personality.... it's part of that person's fragmented personality. Good luck on your paper.