In dissociative identity disorder, which term describes a relationship where two personalities are aware of each other's existence?

In dissociative identity disorder, which term describes a relationship where two personalities are aware of each other's existence?

• A. Mutually amnesic relationship
• B. One-way amnesic relationship
• C. Coconcious relationship
• D. Mutually cognizant pattern

Answer: (D)

Two personalities being aware of each other’s existence is described as a mutually cognizant pattern. In dissociative identity disorder, alters can vary how they relate and what they remember about one another. When two or more identities are mutually cognizant, they know that the other exists and can be aware of each other’s experiences. This differs from a mutually amnesic relationship, where the alters have no knowledge of one another, and from a one-way amnesic relationship, where one alter is aware of the others but not vice versa. Co-consciousness is a related idea, but the term that best captures the scenario described—two personalities who are aware of each other’s existence—is mutually cognizant pattern.

Two personalities being aware of each other’s existence is described as a mutually cognizant pattern. In dissociative identity disorder, alters can vary how they relate and what they remember about one another. When two or more identities are mutually cognizant, they know that the other exists and can be aware of each other’s experiences. This differs from a mutually amnesic relationship, where the alters have no knowledge of one another, and from a one-way amnesic relationship, where one alter is aware of the others but not vice versa. Co-consciousness is a related idea, but the term that best captures the scenario described—two personalities who are aware of each other’s existence—is mutually cognizant pattern.