Cyclical Systems
This will mention RAMCOA, trauma, and trauma responses. All are fairly light and have no explicit details.
Traumaversaries
The traumaversary effect is possible in any kind of system— a trigger stemming from years of reoccurring trauma on a particular date or other predetermined cycle (moon phases, spring break, holidays).
While RAMCOA isn’t the only cause of anniversary reactions, survivors of this type of abuse frequently discover them internally.
The first layer is derived from PTSD, and applies to singlets as well as systems. These periods are marked by emotional and sometimes physical discomfort, flashbacks in several forms, and heightened trauma responses during the given frame.
The second is how this interacts with CDDs. Alters split during the trigger time may be more active at front and in the system at large, as well as alters who formed afterwards for the same purpose. Groups become more visible as their event nears and passes, which can present as full cyclical rotations.
Rotational Groups
Alter groups also sometimes occupy their own space in the internal world, and often have lower amnesia barriers between each other than the rest of the system. Lower amnesia doesn’t necessarily mean low amnesia, but particularly high barriers elsewhere can make minimal communication better than normal.
Some systems have internal structures that create the rotations, often visualized as compartments or a wheel. Others have hidden crannies where groups are kept separate. This is particularly true of RAMCOA systems who have high degrees of enforced complexity and whose abusers have reason to maintain secrecy.
Other regular shifts can be seasonal (for trauma or comfort or something else entirely), social (responsibilities and relational roles), daily (morning prep, work/school, evening relaxation, bedtime), etc.
Polyfrag systems or those with high headcounts tend to fall into these rotations more easily, but any level of dissociation or number of alters can have them. Off-cycle system mates may fade into the background or go temporarily dormant. All of that is fine and normal unless the system desires change.
Possible Changes
Breaking rotations is different depending on the cycle and reasons it exists at all. Trauma has to be worked through if present. Deprogramming may need to take place if externally placed. Some systems can just agree to move their schedules around and be done with it.
Electing or contacting a leader/representative is a good first step. The process to getting there takes care of technicalities like communication within and outside the group. Improving living conditions if there are issues, prioritizing safety and security over results.
Making cyclical groups healthy is another process. Again, deprogramming if MC is a factor. Always trauma work. The distinction is that they are groups, and have to work as their own system before they are expected to flow with other system members.
Adjustments can be made to make shifts more flexible and incorporate more/different alters to help. This is another step which may not be needed for the system, but can help loosen routines and help the end goal of having everyone well and working together.
Both goals have similar components, and the methods are more alike than not. The individualization is what makes them unique. It’s a process, and it might take a long time to work out.
Basically, trauma sucks and your system might be moving on purpose. Decide if you have these grouping and make changes accordingly.
