Obstacles to a defense of multiple personality disorder include doubts on the part of both the psychological and legal communities about whether the defendant suffers from the disorder or whether he or she is trying to escape a conviction, the problems of trying to align the disorder within a recognized legal excuse defense, and the burden of persuading the court and overcoming the burden of proof even if the elements of the defense are met. The ethical role of the defense lawyer in defending a client who has been properly diagnosed as suffering from multiple personality disorder involves ensuring that treatment is initiated for the defendant after the trial as well as protecting his or her legal rights. The obstacles may not loom so large if the defendant's goal is to receive treatment. 192 footnotes