Dormancy

undefined: Dormancy is a state of inactivity during which a system member or group will be "asleep" for a certain amount of time. This is usually marked by difficulty in triggering them to the front, interacting with them or even finding them in the inner world, or experiencing their passive influence. Dormancy is very common in all kinds of systems, especially DID and OSDD ones.

There are many reasons for a headmate or group to become dormant; stress from internal or external circumstances, their role no longer being necessary for the system, certain medications or drugs, or for no reason at all.

Dormancy can be short-term or long-term, and shallow. Shallow dormancy is when the headmate(s) in question are relatively easy to call or trigger to the front but may simply desire to be inactive/resting.

Awakening or "thawing" a dormant headmate, especially one that has been dormant for a long period of time, is a complicated choice for many systems.

Related Terms
It may be difficult to determine whether an alter may have fused or gone dormant, especially in larger systems. They may fuse after going dormant too.

Gatekeepers or scouts may be used to locate a dormant headmate. Perceptionalists may be able to tell when an alter goes dormant, and a dvalen can put a headmate into or take them out of dormancy.