Dissociative Identity Disorder

Defined as the occurrence of two or more personalities within the same individual, each of which during sometime in the person's life is able to take control. This is not often a mentally healthy thing when the personalities vie for control.

Symptoms are of course somewhat self-explanatory, but it is important to note that often the personalities are very different in nature, often representing extremes of what is contained in a normal person. Sometimes, the disease is asymmetrical, which means that what one personality knows, the others inherently know.

The patient has at least two distinct identities or personality states. Each of these has its own, relatively lasting pattern of sensing, thinking about and relating to self and environment.

At least two of these personalities repeatedly assume control of the patient's behavior.

Common forgetfulness cannot explain the patient's extensive inability to remember important personal information.

This behavior is not directly caused by substance use (such as alcoholic blackouts) or by a general medical condition.

Associated Features:

Trauma
Depression
Mood swings
Suicidal tendencies
Sleep disorders (insomnia, night terrors, and sleep walking)
Panic attacks
Phobias
Alcohol and drug abuse,