I agree partially with the OP. I prefer to say "I have a dissociative disorder". If it's someone I am close to I may add "on the severe end of the spectrum". On the flip side, I also prefer to say " I am diabetic". Diabetes is an entirely life and life style changing diagnosis. I can't eat many foods most people can, I can't just go outside and go for a run without checking my sugar and possibly eating a snack, I can't go to bed without doing the same, I have to eat more frequently than "normal", this list could get very long! I feel that DID does not define me, however, to a large extent, diabetes does.