Dissociative Identity Disorder is when a person has two or more distinct, or alter, personalities. Dissociative Identity Disorder was known as multiple personality disorder and is referred to now as "split personality." To be diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder the person must have at least two distinct personalities that must have distinct patterns of perceiving, thinking, and relating to the environment around the self. The personalities may or may not be aware of one another. These personalities are called alternate personalities and alter personalities. In some cases, the host, or the main personality may not be aware of the alter personalities while the alter personalities are aware of the host. Two personalities may vie for control as host while in other circumstances there is one dominant personality with several subordinate personalities. .
Some common personalities include children of various ages, adolescents of the opposite gender, prostitutes, and gay males and lesbians. Some may break with reality and have psychotic episodes where hallucinations and delusional thinking may occur. To be diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder two or more of these personalities must repeatedly take control of the individual's behavior. The individual must show inability to recall important information too pertinent to be normally forgotten. Also, the cause of the personalities cannot be caused by psychoactive substances or general medical conditions. .
There is also confusion between "split personality" and schizophrenia. Schizophrenia means "split brain" which involves the splitting of cognition, affect, and behavior. There is little relation of thoughts and emotions. A person with schizophrenia has no perception of reality and all that has been truly happening is lost. Yet, with multiple personality disorder, cognitive, affective, and behavior levels are integrated.
