Norman Bates suffers from identity disorder, experiencing blackouts where he takes on his mother's personality and commits violent acts without recollection. As the owner of the Bates Motel, Norman is obsessive over his deceased mother and hears her voice. When other women enter his life, his "mother" personality emerges and acts violently out of jealousy. The TV show Bates Motel explores Norman's deteriorating mental state and identity disorder as he struggles with blackouts and his mother's dominating presence in his mind.