In order to be diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), the individual must have at least two separate and distinct egos showing consistent differences in behavior, feelings, thinking, and/or identity. Public education about schizophrenia and its biological basis as an explanation of etiology tended to result in a discounting of DID as an actual disorder. In fact, DID is less common than other mental illnesses and less able to be tied to specific anatomical and physiological processes. Dr. Scott performed a brief mental status exam. Brighid was oriented and understood that she was in a hospital emergency room. Dr. Scott asked Brighid about her use of alcohol and other drugs, explaining that using substances like these sometimes causes memory blackouts. Marcie concluded that Brighid quits difficult situations much too quickly, and was amazed by how often Brighid has simply picked up and moved to another city in order to 'get a fresh start on life'.