Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder, is a complex and rare psychological condition characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states or personality states within an individual. Each of these identity states has its own unique way of perceiving, relating to, and interacting with the world. These distinct states are commonly referred to as "alters" or "alternate personalities."
The key features of DID include:
Disruption of identity: The individual experiences the presence of two or more distinct personality states, each with its own pattern of perceiving, relating to, and thinking about the environment and self.
Amnesia: Gaps in memory that are beyond ordinary forgetfulness are often present. These memory gaps may be associated with the times when other personality states are in control.
Distress and impairment: The disorder causes significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
It's important to note that DID is a controversial and debated diagnosis within the field of psychology. Some experts and researchers believe it is a genuine disorder resulting from severe trauma, whereas others argue that it may be influenced by cultural factors and therapeutic approaches.
Regarding your second question, it is possible for a person with DID to be unaware of their alternate personalities or have limited memory of their experiences when another personality is in control. This phenomenon is known as "dissociative amnesia." Dissociative amnesia can involve gaps in memory for specific events, periods of time, or aspects of one's identity.
Individuals with DID may experience these memory lapses because the alternate personalities may have their own unique experiences and perceptions that are not integrated with the person's primary identity. As a result, when one personality state is in control, it may not have access to the memories of the other personality states.
In some cases, the individual might not be consciously aware of the presence of other personality states due to the dissociative barriers that prevent information from flowing freely between the identities. This lack of awareness can sometimes make the diagnosis and treatment of DID challenging, as the person may not recognize the existence of other alters or the extent of their dissociative experiences.