Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a mental health condition where you have two or more separate personalities that control your behavior at different times.
In controlled studies, non-specialised treatment that did not address dissociative self-states did not substantially improve DID symptoms, though there may be improvement in patients' other conditions.
If you have DID, you may find yourself doing things you wouldn't normally do, such as speeding, reckless driving, or stealing money from your employer or friend.
One of the most common symptoms of DID is hearing voices, most often within the mind. Because of this, many individuals with DID are unsuccessfully treated with medications for schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders (see section on psychotic disorders).
DID often co-occurs with other emotional conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), borderline personality disorder (BPD), and a number of other personality disorders, as well as conversion disorder.
Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is the disorder that was previously recognized as multiple personality disorder. It’s characterized by the presence of two or more dissociated self states, known as alters, that have the ability to take executive control and are associated with some degree of inter-identity amnesia.
DID is complex—but with the right knowledge, clinicians, caregivers, and communities can play a meaningful role in healing. This on-demand session clarifies DID’s clinical realities, reduces stigma, and offers grounded, evidence-based strategies for support.
The DSM-5 criteria for dissociative identity disorder (DID) center around multiple personalities, amnesia as well as three other DID criteria. Learn more.