Dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder,[7] is

a mental disorder characterized by at least two distinct and relatively enduring personality
states.[3] This is accompanied by memory gaps, beyond what would be explained by ordinary
forgetfulness.[3] These states alternately show in a person's behavior;[3] presentations, however, are
variable.[5] Other conditions which often occur in people with DID include borderline personality
disorder (BPD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance use disorders, self-
harm, or anxiety.[3][5]
Some professionals believe the cause to be childhood trauma.[4] In about 90% of cases, there is a
history of abuse in childhood, while other cases are linked to experiences of war or health problems
during childhood.[3] Genetic factors are also believed to play a role.[5] An alternative hypothesis is that
it is a by-product of techniques employed by some therapists, especially those
using hypnosis.[5][8] Before a diagnosis is made, it should be verified that the person's condition is not
better accounted for by substance abuse, seizures, imaginative play in children, or religious
practices.[3]
Treatment generally involves supportive care and counselling.[4] The condition usually persists
without treatment.[4][9] It is believed to affect about 2% of the general population and 3% of those
admitted to hospitals with mental health problems in Europe and North America.[6][3] DID is diagnosed
about six times more often in females than males.[5] The number of cases increased significantly in
the latter half of the 20th century, along with the number of identities claimed by those affected.[5]
DID is controversial within both psychiatry and the legal system.[5][8] In court cases, it has been used
as a rarely successful form of the insanity defense.[10][11] It is unclear whether increased rates of the
disorder are due to better recognition or to sociocultural factors such as media portrayals.[5] A large
proportion of diagnoses are associated with a small number of clinicians, which is consistent with the
hypothesis that DID may be therapist-induced.[5] The typical presenting symptoms in different regions
of the world may also vary depending on how the disorder is depicted by the media.