multiple personality disorder

noun

variants: or less commonly multiple personality

Definition of multiple personality disorder

: 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 results from disruption in the integrated functions of consciousness, memory, and identity : dissociative identity disorder

Note: The term dissociative identity disorder is now preferred over multiple personality disorder and multiple personality especially in medical contexts.

Examples of multiple personality disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Sadoski will star alongside Tom Holland and Amanda Seyfried in the first season thriller about Billy Milligan, played by Holland, who was acquitted of a crime because of multiple personality disorder, now known as dissociative identity disorder. — Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 July 2022 Walker has said that he was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, once known as multiple personality disorder. — al, 27 May 2022 In 2021, McCord publicly detailed her battle with dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2022 Isaac plays Marc Spector in a Disney + series, which takes inspiration from the modern comics, which depict the character’s struggle with multiple personality disorder. — Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Jan. 2022 Walker said had been diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, which was previously known as multiple personality disorder. — Sara Murray, CNN, 25 Oct. 2021 In 1978, Billy Milligan became the first person in U.S. history to cite multiple personality disorder in an insanity defense. — Lorraine Ali Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2021 Walker, now 59, has at times been open about his struggle with mental illness, writing at length in a 2008 book about being diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, once known as multiple personality disorder. — BostonGlobe.com, 23 July 2021 Walker, now 59, has at times been open about his long struggle with mental illness, writing at length in a 2008 book about being diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, once known as multiple personality disorder. — Brian Slodysko, chicagotribune.com, 23 July 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'multiple personality disorder.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About multiple personality disorder

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Statistics for multiple personality disorder

Last Updated

7 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Multiple personality disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/multiple%20personality%20disorder. Accessed 14 Aug. 2022.

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