Sybil

A nice classic to read for those interested in the psychology of a person, Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber.  The story is based on the true story regarding multiple personalities.  You certainly need to be aware that this is not an easy read.  The horrific events that lead to Sybil’s condition stem from her schizophrenic mother who tortures her in ways too gruesome for this blog.  After her mother’s death, she finally gets to meet the doctor whom she was unable to meet when her mother was alive, Dr. Wilbur, who has moved to NYC.  Dr. Wilbur, a female psychologist, works with Sybil over an eleven-year period to identify the sixteen personalities that are within Sybil.  These personalities seem to reflect aspects of family members who negatively influenced her in some way.  Each personality attempts to keep Sybil caught hidden in the past.  Having three sessions a week, Dr. Wilbur slowly works to have Sybil confront her fears and meet each personality.  Her father’s guilt of allowing his sick wife (who dies during Sybil’s teenage years) to raise Sybil provides the funds for her to meet with Dr. Wilbur. The story is alleged to be the real life story of the author.  “Sybil” a pseudonym for the lead character is said to have fully recovered and become an artist and college professor.  A book like Sybil allows the reader to understand the complexities of mental illness and how we as a society should not overlook these diseases.  If you really want to be moved by determination and the desire of one person to help another, you will find the book rewarding in the end, but a tough read to get to that point.  It was a bestselling book in its time.  Complicated work.  Need some time with this one.