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Dissociative Identity Disorder Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), Formerly Called Multiple Personality Disorder, Is

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Dissociative Identity Disorder
Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) , formerly called multiple personality disorder, is a severe psychological condition in which two or more distinct identities are present in an individual. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of diagnosed cases of DID in the past 30 years. There has also been an increase in the number of different personalities reported, as well as more unusual personalities. This may be due to an increased awareness of the disease among clinicians. However, it might also be because there have been so many sensational portrayals of DID in popular media.
Some believe that people fake the disorder in order to absolve themselves of guilt or gain attention. However, there is a good deal of research that suggests that DID is a legitimate illness. One of the strongest pieces of evidence is the fact that it is found all over the world. There have been cases of DID reported in cities and villages across Turkey, Nigeria, Ethiopia, China, and India, among other places. It is unlikely that people living in rural or remote places have been influenced by portrayals of DID in films or television shows.
Others argue that DID is the creation of overzealous clinicians who (unwittingly) induce highly suggestible clients to believe they have multiple personalities. These clinicians encourage clients to "bring out" the other personalities during hypnosis and reward them with praise for doing so, which then makes the clients more likely to believe that the other personalities are real. If this is the case, it may not be a "genuine" illness in that the clinicians have created it, but is this any different than a "genuine" mental illness that is fostered by other people's influences on a client's life? No matter what has caused the illness, it causes significant distress to the client, and therefore must be treated as a serious and "genuine" problem.
Question: What is the meaning of the word legitimate in the passage?

Definitions:

Michael Argyle

was a psychologist known for his work in the study of non-verbal communication and social interactions.

Level of Education

Refers to the highest degree of formal education or training that an individual has completed.

Phenotype

The observable characteristics or traits of an organism, resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.

Genotype

The genetic makeup of an organism, consisting of the alleles inherited from both parents, which determines inherited characteristics.