dissociative identity disorder

noun

: a personality disorder that is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct and complex identities or personality states each of which becomes dominant and controls behavior from time to time to the exclusion of the others and that results from disruption in the integrated functions of consciousness, memory, and identity : multiple personality disorder

Note: The term dissociative identity disorder is now preferred over multiple personality disorder especially in medical contexts.

Examples of dissociative identity disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, Spector as a character is diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, meaning that multiple personalities exist in his head. —Nola Pfau, Vulture, 12 Jan. 2024

In 1976, the creative team introduced the idea that Moon Knight had multiple identities, which would eventually be revealed to be a sign of a dissociative identity disorder. —George Gene Gustines, New York Times, 26 May 2024

Ian Hacking, the philosopher, argued that such a dynamic fuelled the epidemic of multiple personality disorder in the late twentieth century, and something similar seems to be playing out now with the growing portrayal of dissociative identity disorder, the current name for M.P.D., on social media. —Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024

Multiple personality disorder — now called dissociative identity disorder — affects about one percent of the population and usually emerges after severe trauma early in life, said Dr. David Spiegel, a professor of psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine. —Richard Sandomir, New York Times, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

dissociative identity disorder

noun

: a personality disorder that is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct and complex identities or personality states each of which becomes dominant and controls behavior from time to time to the exclusion of the others and that results from disruption in the integrated functions of consciousness, memory, and identity : multiple personality disorder

Note: The term dissociative identity disorder is now preferred over multiple personality disorder especially in medical contexts.