Sybil: Shirley Mason’s Sixteen Personalities

Running header: Sybil: Shirley Mason’s Sixteen personalities

Sybil: Shirley Mason’s Sixteen Personalities

Abstract

“Sybil” is the true story of a woman named Shirley Mason; whose life was documented in a movie and a book. Shirley was treated for Dissociative Identity Disorder, which was earlier named, Multiple Personality Disorder. Shirley is said to have had up to sixteen personalities two of whom were male, and is known for being the most famous psychiatric patient in history.

There have been reports that suggest the “Sybil” story is bogus and the whole multiple personality disorder was a disorder concocted by psychiatric doctor, Cornelia Wilbur. Shirley Mason is a woman that grew up in Minnesota as an only child. According to people who knew Mason's family in Dodge Center, Shirley’s mother controlled her with strict discipline, abuse and bizarre behavior. Shirley’s grandmother and father were known to be kind to her, but unable to do anything about her mother's abuse. During the 1920’s and 30’s nothing was done about abuse, everything was kept quiet (hear no evil, see no evil). The family was Seventh-day Adventist, a religion that was apparently regarded with some suspicion by Dodge Center residents because of the resemblance to Judaism.

Shirley continued to be abused throughout her childhood years by her aggressive and domineering mother, in what is describe a sick and disgusting manner. As many years passed, Shirley began to suffer from depression, breakdowns and blackouts and began to see a psychiatrist, Dr. Wilbur. Dr. Wilbur was said to have discovered 16 different personalities existing inside of Shirley. Shirley spent 11 years in therapy under the hands of Dr. Wilbur, and during those 11 years he supposedly integrated these personalities into one person.

Shirley’s condition according to literature is an environmental dissociative disorder that was used by her to cope with the trauma she went through at the hands of her mother. Shirley was repeatedly forced to do inhumane acts by her mother, which in turn caused her to disassociate herself into believing she was more then one person. I do not believe Shirley was aware that she slipped into the different personalities. When other personalities were present she did not know what was going on. During the transition, personality "splits" when the human psyche can no longer cope with the pain of abuse. Shirley’s only defense mechanism was the inner voices which helped her cope with the feelings of loneliness and depression she encountered during her abuse. Each of Shirley’s personality she experienced had a distinct history that was personal, which included a separate identity and name. Dr. Wilbur used sodium amytal and hypnosis interviews to encourage Sybil's various alters to communicate and reveal information about her life. Some of her alter personalities were:

“Sybil: Substitute grade school teacher who often experiences "missing time."

Peggy Lou and Peggy Ann: Both about nine years old, the Peggys apparently originated as a single alter, "Peggy Louisiana" (the name which Sybil's mother had initially wanted to give her daughter). Peggy Lou is bold and brassy, Peggy Ann more often frightened. Both often talk incoherently and repeat phrases over and over. Peggy Lou breaks glass when she is upset.

Vicky: Proper and formal to a fault. Vicky speaks fluent French, and is aware of everything that goes on among the different personalities. (In the film, Vicky spoke stereotypical high-school French, but clearly believed she was speaking it well.)

Vanessa: An artistic and beautiful piano player. In the film she befriends Richard, a man who lives in a neighboring apartment. (The character of Richard was created for the film.)

Marcia: Sybil's depressive and suicidal personality. Marcia unsuccessfully attempts to kill herself, although she knows that killing the body will result in the death of all the selves.

Ruthie: a 2-3 year old who enjoys crayon drawing.” (Wikipedia, 2007)

Childhood experiences such as sexual and physical abuse usually plays a part when individuals are diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Individuals with this type of disorder are said to be highly influenced people, they tend to have personal history memory gaps.

Doctors remained skeptical about the personality disorder Dr. Wilbur claimed to have diagnosed Shirley with. Psychologist Nicolas P. Spanos suggest that “memories of childhood abuse and multiple personality disorder are ruled-governed social construction established,