Which disorder involves two or more distinct personalities that control behavior at different times?

Which disorder involves two or more distinct personalities that control behavior at different times?

• A. Dissociative Identity Disorder
• B. Schizophrenia
• C. Bipolar Disorder
• D. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is dissociation and identity fragmentation, where separate identities can take control of behavior at different times. Dissociative Identity Disorder involves two or more distinct identities or personality states that alternately assume control of the person’s actions. The person may have memory gaps for important personal information when another identity is in control, and the identities can have their own unique traits, names, or ways of interacting with the world. This switching often arises as a coping mechanism in response to severe trauma or stress, especially in early life. This description fits Dissociative Identity Disorder, whereas the other conditions describe different patterns. Schizophrenia centers on psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations and disrupted thinking, not alternating personalities. Bipolar disorder involves shifts in mood between mania and depression, not distinct identities taking turns controlling behavior. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is about intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, again not about multiple identities taking control.

The concept being tested is dissociation and identity fragmentation, where separate identities can take control of behavior at different times. Dissociative Identity Disorder involves two or more distinct identities or personality states that alternately assume control of the person’s actions. The person may have memory gaps for important personal information when another identity is in control, and the identities can have their own unique traits, names, or ways of interacting with the world. This switching often arises as a coping mechanism in response to severe trauma or stress, especially in early life.

This description fits Dissociative Identity Disorder, whereas the other conditions describe different patterns. Schizophrenia centers on psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations and disrupted thinking, not alternating personalities. Bipolar disorder involves shifts in mood between mania and depression, not distinct identities taking turns controlling behavior. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is about intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, again not about multiple identities taking control.