dissociative identity disorder n multiple personality disorder
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[DSM-IV] a dissociative disorder characterized by the existence in an individual of two or more distinct personalities, each having unique memories, characteristic behavior, and social relationships. At least two of the personalities control the patient's behavior in turns, the transition often being abrupt. The host personality usually is totally unaware of the alternate personalities, experiencing only inexplicable gaps of time and inability to recall important personal information. Alternate personalities may or may not have awareness of the others. Called also multiple personality d.Medical dictionary. 2011.