Sybil

Sybil Dorsett
Born	Shirley Ardell Mason January 25, 1923 Dodge Center, Minnesota, U.S.
Died	February 26, 1998 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Known for	Subject of the book "Sybil"

Sybil Dorsett is the pseudonym used for Shirley Ardell Mason, an American psychiatric patient who was reputed to have dissociative identity disorder (DID), previously known as multiple personality disorder. Her life and treatment were the basis for the 1973 book "Sybil" by Flora Rheta Schreiber, which was later adapted into two television films.

Early Life

Shirley Ardell Mason was born on January 25, 1923, in Dodge Center, Minnesota. She was the only child of Walter Mason and Martha Alice "Mattie" Hageman. Her childhood was reportedly traumatic, with allegations of abuse by her mother, which were later explored in her psychiatric treatment.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Mason sought psychiatric help in the early 1950s, eventually becoming a patient of Dr. Cornelia B. Wilbur, a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with multiple personality disorder. Over the course of her treatment, Mason was said to have exhibited 16 distinct personalities, each with its own name, age, and characteristics.

Dr. Wilbur's treatment involved extensive psychotherapy sessions, during which she attempted to integrate Mason's personalities into a single, cohesive identity. The therapy was controversial, involving hypnosis and other techniques that were later criticized by some in the psychiatric community.

The Book and Its Impact

The book "Sybil," published in 1973, was a detailed account of Mason's life and treatment. It became a bestseller and brought widespread attention to the concept of multiple personality disorder. The book's portrayal of Mason's condition and treatment was dramatized in a 1976 television film starring Sally Field and Joanne Woodward, and again in a 2007 film.

Controversy and Criticism

In the years following the publication of "Sybil," questions arose regarding the accuracy of the book's portrayal of Mason's condition. Some critics argued that the personalities were induced by Dr. Wilbur's suggestive techniques rather than being genuine manifestations of DID. In 2011, a book titled "Sybil Exposed" by Debbie Nathan suggested that the case was largely fabricated.

Legacy

Despite the controversies, the case of Sybil Dorsett played a significant role in popularizing the diagnosis of dissociative identity disorder. It sparked debates about the nature of DID, the ethics of psychiatric treatment, and the influence of media on public perception of mental health issues.

Also see

• Dissociative identity disorder
• Cornelia B. Wilbur
• Flora Rheta Schreiber
• Hypnosis
• Psychotherapy