Question

When someone presents with multiple separate personalities that all behave in distinct ways and complains they have "lost time," which diagnosis is most likely?

a) Dissociative Identity Disorder
b) Bipolar Disorder
c) Schizophrenia
d) Borderline Personality Disorder

Answer 1

The most likely diagnosis for a person presenting multiple distinct personalities and 'lost time' is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID).

Step-by-step explanation:

When someone presents with multiple separate personalities that all behave in distinct ways and reports 'lost time', the most likely diagnosis is Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). DID is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct identity states that control an individual's behavior at different times, accompanied by an inability to recall personal information, that goes beyond ordinary forgetfulness. The symptoms mentioned align with DID, rather than Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, or Borderline Personality Disorder, all of which have different core symptoms and patterns.