The Study of the Mind: A Psychological Book Club discussion

December 2012 BoTM: Sybil Exposed Book Discussion :)

I am soooo excited to read this. Haven't gotten it yet, may just buy it on my kindle. has anyone started???

Hello All,

I am the author of Sybil Exposed, and I am thrilled this group is reading the book! I decided to sign on so that if anyone has questions they'd like me to try to answer, I'll have a chance to do that. A couple of people have mentioned the "ibids." and "op. cits.," and I'm sensing you feel they're a problem but I'm not sure if it's because there are too many or not enough. If you'd like to clarify, I'll try to do the same. Anyway, thanks again for reading, thinking, and talking about my work. I'll check in once every day or so till the end of the year to see if I can add anything to your discussion. Best! Debbie

Hi all, I left this book feeling quite bemused and not sure what to believe! The accusations against Sybil's mother were absolutely vile, and the administration of psychotic drugs terrible. It definitely kept me reading.

Hi all, I haven't read this book yet and to be honest I feel quite confused.
I would hate to think and believe that 'Sybil's' psychatrist was manipulating a woman who really did have had behavioural problems but were deemed ' not interesting enough' to treat her. - it makes me so mad and upset with the mental health and medical system.
I am unsure what to think, i am unsure whether or not to read this book 'Sybil exposed' - did Shirley Mason ever ADMIT to making it all up, where their records of medication being fed to her...
so much to think about, and i suppose it's that human curiosity that will get people to purchase this book.
So very unsure.

I am the author of Sybil Exposed, as noted above. Kerry, yes, "Sybil" did admit to "making it up," in a 4-and-a-half-page, single-spaced letter she wrote to her psychiatrist in the late 1950s.I talk about the letter in the my book. Sybil Exposed has disturbed many people for the reasons you describe. On the other hand, the therapeutic mistakes and malpractice which the patient "Sybil" suffered happened a long time ago, in a different era of mental health practice, and it is very instructive to think about how things are different today. Of course, some things haven't changed. But the interplay between both trends is one thing that makes the story in Sybil Exposed so interesting to read and reflect on.

My question to Ms. Nathan is this: What kind of push back, if any, have you experienced based on this book? I work in the mental health field. I have found people either love this book, or hate it (guess what diagnosis those who hate it report they have "extensively" worked with).

By the way, I found it an amazing book. Very interesting and disturbing.

Thank you.

Debbie wrote: "I am the author of Sybil Exposed, as noted above. Kerry, yes, "Sybil" did admit to "making it up," in a 4-and-a-half-page, single-spaced letter she wrote to her psychiatrist in the late 1950s.I tal..."

Thankyou Debbie so much for the reply, I appreciate it. I'm a huge advocate in the understanding and treatment of mental health issues, I have a book on emotional abuse and depression coming out soon and I also am very interested (and read alot of ) literature that discusses DID and mental health disorders.- (especially in the first person account.) Truely it's such a shame to hear 'Sybil' was making it up, i saw a discussion you had with a member of 'Sybil's' family- i can see that there will always be many sides to the story. Debbie i thik i have a keen interest in hearing all the information regarding the case.
To be honest i was the slightest bit dissapointed in the book Sybil, however i loved the film. It may be due to have reading some amazing books written in the 1st person such as 'The Flock' by Koan Frances Casey. I will buy the book from book depository and I look forward to hopfully discussing it with you all.
Thanks Debbie very much!

Kerry wrote: "Debbie wrote: "I am the author of Sybil Exposed, as noted above. Kerry, yes, "Sybil" did admit to "making it up," in a 4-and-a-half-page, single-spaced letter she wrote to her psychiatrist in the l..."

*Joan Frances Casey , with Lyn Williams

Joan Frances Casey's therapist consulted with "Sybil's" (real name Shirley Mason's) psychiatrist, Cornelia Wilbur, as she prepared to treat the woman whose story comprises "The Flock." The Sybil story and the Sybil therapist had an outsized effect on the development of MPD, including down to the individual patient level. I have heard from former patients of Wilbur's since I published my book. Some have sent photos of themselves with her, and other artifacts. No one has contradicted the material in Sybil Exposed. Have not heard from Joan Frances Casey.

Debbie wrote: "Joan Frances Casey's therapist consulted with "Sybil's" (real name Shirley Mason's) psychiatrist, Cornelia Wilbur, as she prepared to treat the woman whose story comprises "The Flock." The Sybil st..."

I did know that Casey's therapist (Lyn Wilson) used the case study of 'Sybil' as almost a 'bible' if you will, for the acknowledgment and treatment of MPD when figuring out how to treat her patient - she even gave her patient (Casey) the 'Sybil' book to read. As far as I recall, Wilson also called Wilbur to consult her on a few things, (which is kind of a frightening thought now that you have brought the truth to the surface with 'Sybil exposed').

I completely fell in love with the book 'The Flock' and wished that Casey's identity would be revealed.

There seems to be so much literature on Shirley Manson's case, including a book I had seen here on goodreads, aparantly in the words of Shirley herself. (I think a friend wrote the book and included Shirleys letters).

Isn't it amazing that a story from the '70's still brings forth so much discussion.

I look forward to reading your book.

The book you're talking about, "Sybil in Her Own Words," is self-published and written by a NYC psychologist who used to be employed by Sybil author Schreiber. After Schreiber died, he discovered Sybil's true identity and struck up a telephone friendship with Shirley Mason that began in 1993. The book contains reprints of a lot of her paintings, as well as narrative based on the phone calls, which he apparently taped (though he has not made the tapes available to the public). He is very unhappy with my book and has tried, quite unsuccessfully, to discredit my research. I repeatedly tried to interview him while working on my book but he refused. It's a shame, because as you say, all the various books (and even movies) work in tandem toward an understanding of the Sybil phenomenon.

It seems that Cornelia Wilbur was something beyond a massive influence in the lives of other clinicians/psychotherapists - I'm currently reading 'When rabbit howls' -1987 Truddi Chase, whose front cover recommendation was by..you guessed it..Dr Cornelia Wilbur. (Tagline 'the psychiatrist who treated Sybil) wow, did ALL other Dr's just go running toward Wilbur after the Sybil case came out?
If she aided in Shirley Mansons 'facade' and purposely exaggerated Shirley's medical problems ..to write a book and gain noteriety..well it worked but i am- or will be absolutely apauled.

Just bought my copy of your book Debbie.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Debbie wrote: "Looking forward to your thoughts."

I look forward to talking with you - and again thankyou debbie!