Mary, who is 40, appears to believe she is a 20-year-old woman.Suddenly, however, she starts to speak and behave very differently, and says she no longer thinks of herself as "Mary." Instead, she claims to be Elise, a 10-year-old child.What has Mary most likely just experienced?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mary's sudden switch in identity and behavior is indicative of dissociative identity disorder, formerly known as multiple personality disorder. This involves the presence of multiple distinct identities or personality states that alternately control behavior. The switch from Mary to Elise is a clear example of a switch.

Mary, Who Is 40, Appears to Believe She Is a 20-Year-Old