A term used by Morton Prince for a rare type of dissociative reaction in which the person adopts two or more personalities. In DSM-III-R, classified as a dissociative disorder.
A rare neurosis, characterized by the person developing more than one distinct personality. The personalities are usually in traits. These are representative of competing motives of behavior and are perceived as two different people within the same physical or biological structure.
Disorder characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personalities in the same person, any of which may dominate at a given time ranging from a few minutes to years, with transitions from one to the other personality usually occurring quickly and at a time of stress. Each personality is complex, possesses developed behavioral patterns and mental and emotional processes, and may or may not be known to the other. Clear-cut examples are rare, but various symptoms appear in some schizophrenics, especially among young women. Treatment is by psychoactive drugs and long-term psychotherapy.
A term formerly used for dissociative identity disorder.
When two or more distinct personalities exist within the same person. Sometimes one or more of these personalities are aware of each other; sometimes not. One personality tends to be dominant, the primary personality, except during occasions brought on by specific conditions or stress. Commonly but inaccurately called schizophrenics, people with multiple personalities are considered to have a mental disorder (multiple personality disorder, or MPD).
Multiple personalities have been known throughout history, although until the rise of psychiatry in the late 19th century, their symptoms were usually attributed to demonic possession. MPD cases can have any number of personalities; some have been documented in the dozens.