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

Advertisement Gudsen's fractured identity—swaggering machismo versus devoted family man—might suggest dissociative identity disorder, but Lehane resists reducing him to a clinical label. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 15 Aug. 2025

Norman is suffering from dissociative identity disorder and has taken on his mother’s personality. —Andrew McGowan, Variety, 18 July 2025

David’s take on Bruce Banner highlighted his inner struggles, making the Banner/Hulk divide more explicitly a super-powered version of dissociative identity disorder. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 26 May 2025

Among their lofty goals was a Pi that had multiple personalities, like a cyborg Sybil with a dissociative identity disorder. —IEEE Spectrum, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dissociative identity disorder

• boarder
• border
• corder
• order
• warder
• camcorder
• recorder
• reorder
• suborder
• transborder

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.