Final answer:
The disorder previously known as multiple personality disorder is now referred to as dissociative identity disorder (DID). It's a complex mental health condition involving multiple distinct identities or personality states. Dissociative identity disorder is classified as a dissociative disorder and often arises from severe childhood trauma.
Step-by-step explanation:
Dissociative Identity Disorder (Formerly Multiple Personality Disorder)
The disorder previously known as multiple personality disorder is now called dissociative identity disorder (DID). This psychological condition is characterized by the presence of two or more distinct personality states or identities within a single individual, each with its own pattern of perceiving and interacting with the environment. Dissociative identity disorder is one of several dissociative disorders and is related to complex trauma, often stemming from severe childhood abuse or neglect. The diagnosis and understanding of DID have evolved over time, challenging researchers and clinicians alike in terms of its assessment, treatment, and conceptualization.
Dissociative amnesia is another type of dissociative disorder where a person experiences gaps in memory related to personal information or traumatic events that cannot be explained by ordinary forgetfulness. Dissociative disorders may also feature manifestations such as dissociative fugue, where an individual suddenly travels away from home and assumes a new identity, with amnesia for his or her past identity. These conditions reflect a disruption in the normal integration of consciousness, memory, identity, emotion, perception, body representation, motor control, and behavior.
While research continues to evolve in understanding dissociative disorders, the recognition of DID has been a subject of debate and inquiry in the psychiatric community and has been examined across various perspectives including historical and cultural contexts. Despite challenges and controversies, the existence of DID and its associated distress and functional impairment has been reported consistently in both historical literature and current clinical practice.