Multiple Personality Order

Dissociative identity disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM), Revised, as the existence in an individual of two or more distinct personalities or ego-states, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. To qualify as dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder), at least two personalities must routinely take alternate control of the individual's behavior, and there must be a loss of memory that goes beyond normal forgetfulness. This memory loss is often referred to as "losing time". These symptoms must occur independently of substance abuse or a general medical condition.

Dissociative identity disorder is also known as multiple personality disorder, as detailed in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. In North America the name was changed to dissociative identity disorder due to the degree of controversy in the psychiatric and psychological communities there regarding the concept of one (physical) individual having more than one personality, where personality may be defined as the sum total of that (physical) individual's mental states.

While dissociation is a demonstrable psychiatric condition that is tied to several different disorders, specifically those involving early childhood trauma and anxiety, multiple personality remains controversial. Despite the controversy, many mental health institutes, such as McLean Hospital, have wards specifically designated for dissociative identity disorder.

Dissociative Identity Disorder is a type of psychogenic amnesia (no medical cause, only psychological). Through this amnesia the person is able to repress memories of traumatic event/s or a period of time. This is a fragmentation of self and experience of the past. Through having several alters the host personality is living

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