Shirley Ardell Mason

Shirley Ardell Mason

Shirley Ardell Mason (January 25, 1923 – February 26, 1998) was an American woman who was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder. Her life was famously chronicled in the book Sybil, published in 1973 by Flora Rheta Schreiber, and later adapted into television miniseries and films. Mason's case played a significant role in bringing the discussion of DID into the public consciousness and has been a subject of controversy and skepticism among mental health professionals.

Early Life

Shirley Mason was born in Dodge Center, Minnesota, to Walter Wingfield Mason and Martha Alice "Mattie" Atkinson. Little is known about her early life, but it was reported that she experienced a troubled childhood, including physical and sexual abuse, which is believed to have been a significant factor in the development of her DID.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Mason was a patient of Dr. Cornelia B. Wilbur, a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with DID. According to Dr. Wilbur, Mason manifested several distinct personalities as a coping mechanism to deal with her traumatic childhood. These personalities included Vicky, a sophisticated and assertive young woman; Peggy Lou, an assertive personality who was often angry; Peggy Ann, a fearful and anxious personality; and several others.

The treatment of Mason by Dr. Wilbur has been a subject of much debate. Critics argue that the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, which included psychotherapy and the use of Pentothal (a barbiturate used as a truth serum), may have influenced Mason to exhibit multiple personalities. Supporters of Dr. Wilbur's treatment approach contend that it was necessary to help Mason confront and integrate her multiple personalities.

Sybil

The publication of Sybil brought unprecedented attention to DID. The book was a commercial success and significantly impacted both the public's understanding of the disorder and the medical community's approach to diagnosing and treating DID. However, the book and its portrayal of Mason's life and treatment have been criticized for possible embellishment and factual inaccuracies.

Later Life and Death

After the publication of Sybil, Mason lived a relatively private life. She moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where she pursued a career in art, a passion she had exhibited from an early age. Mason died of breast cancer on February 26, 1998, at the age of 75.

Legacy

Mason's life and the book Sybil have left a lasting legacy on the fields of psychology and psychiatry. Her case has been instrumental in the study of DID, leading to further research and a better understanding of the disorder. However, the controversy surrounding the accuracy of her diagnosis and the ethics of her treatment continues to provoke debate among professionals.

Controversy

The controversy over Mason's diagnosis and the authenticity of DID as a disorder persists. Critics argue that DID cases, including Mason's, are often the result of suggestibility and the influence of therapists, rather than genuine manifestations of the disorder. This skepticism has led to further scrutiny and research into DID, its causes, and its treatment.