The specific characteristics of dissociative identity disorder are: a single patient exhibits two completely distinct personalities, with only one personality being dominant at any given time.

Both personalities are fully developed, each with its own memories, behaviors, and preferences, and can be entirely opposite to the individual's pre-illness personality.

Typically, one personality tends to dominate, but the two personalities cannot access each other's memories and are largely unaware of each other's existence.

The transition from one personality to another is usually abrupt and closely linked to traumatic life events.

Later on, such transitions may occur only in response to significant or stressful events, or during relaxation, hypnosis, or emotional release.