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.
Example Sentences
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 Namely, his dissociative identity disorder had split his psyche into two people: Mark Spector, a hard-charging American mercenary, and Steven Grant, a mild-mannered British gift shop employee. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 4 May 2022 Steven Grant, an awkward museum gift shop employee who discovers the unexplained lapses and mysterious occurrences in his life are the result of his dissociative identity disorder. Tracy Brownstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2022 That includes allegations of violent behavior and his diagnosis with dissociative identity disorder, or D.I.D., a complex mental health condition characterized by some severe and potentially debilitating symptoms. Adam Carlson, ABC News, 16 June 2022 Oscar Isaac plays a superhero with dissociative identity disorder who investigates a mystery involving Egyptian gods in this refreshingly oddball Marvel origin story. Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 7 June 2022 Walker has said that he was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, once known as multiple personality disorder. al, 27 May 2022 The majority of these cases have a psychiatric or neurological explanation: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, drug or alcohol withdrawal, dissociative identity disorder. Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 Today, Isaac seems to have fully embraced his role — or roles, that is — as the mercenary Marc Spector, a character who is granted the powers of an Egyptian moon god, while also struggling with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2022 See More
Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 July 2022 Namely, his dissociative identity disorder had split his psyche into two people: Mark Spector, a hard-charging American mercenary, and Steven Grant, a mild-mannered British gift shop employee. Adam B. Vary, Variety, 4 May 2022 Steven Grant, an awkward museum gift shop employee who discovers the unexplained lapses and mysterious occurrences in his life are the result of his dissociative identity disorder. Tracy Brownstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2022 That includes allegations of violent behavior and his diagnosis with dissociative identity disorder, or D.I.D., a complex mental health condition characterized by some severe and potentially debilitating symptoms. Adam Carlson, ABC News, 16 June 2022 Oscar Isaac plays a superhero with dissociative identity disorder who investigates a mystery involving Egyptian gods in this refreshingly oddball Marvel origin story. Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 7 June 2022 Walker has said that he was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder, once known as multiple personality disorder. al, 27 May 2022 The majority of these cases have a psychiatric or neurological explanation: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, drug or alcohol withdrawal, dissociative identity disorder. Kent Russell, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 Today, Isaac seems to have fully embraced his role — or roles, that is — as the mercenary Marc Spector, a character who is granted the powers of an Egyptian moon god, while also struggling with dissociative identity disorder (DID). Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1993, in the meaning defined above
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.