"How many multiple personalities did sybil dorsett have?"

Sybil told the story of a woman (later revealed to be Mason) who was treated for multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) with up to 16 co-existing personalities. The book stated that Mason suffered from the condition as a result of severe sexual abuse at the hands of her mother, who Dr. Wilbur believed was clearly schizophrenic.[2] The book was turned into a movie, starring Sally Field, in 1976. In July of 2006, the 30th anniversary edition of the movie was released in a 2 DVD set that included background information and interviews with the director, stars, and friends of the real Sybil, Shirley Mason. The movie was remade in 2007 with Jessica Lange as Dr. Wilbur and Tammy Blanchard in the title role.

Sybil Dorsett, who was later revealed to really be Shirley Ardell Mason (January 25, 1923 – February 26, 1998) was an American psychiatric patient and commercial artist whose life was documented in the book and film both released under the name Sybil. Born and raised in Dodge Center, Minnesota she was the only child Walter Mason and Martha Alice "Mattie" Hageman. She is famous for having up to 16 co-existing personalities. The condition was a result of severe sexual abuse at the hands of her schizophrenic mother. She died in 1998 from complications brought about by breast cancer.

Shirley Ardell Mason (January 25, 1923 – February 26, 1998) was an American psychiatric patient and commercial artist whose life was documented in the book and film both released under the name Sybil. The book was penned by Flora Rheta Schreiber and published in 1973. It was adapted in a made for TV movie in 1976, with Sally Field in the title role. Both the book and the films used the name Sybil Isabel Dorsett to protect Mason's identity, though the 2007 remake revealed Mason's name in its conclusion.

Biography
Mason was born and raised in Dodge Center, Minnesota, the only child of Walter Mason (a carpenter) and Martha Alice "Mattie" Hageman. In regard to Mason's mother: "...many people in Dodge Center say Mattie--"Hattie" in the book--"was bizarre," according to Bettie Borst Christensen, who grew up across the street. "She had a witch-like laugh....She didn't laugh much, but when she did, it was like a screech." Christensen remembers the mother walking around after dark, looking in the neighbors' windows. She apparently had once been diagnosed as schizophrenic.[1] In the early 1950s, Mason was a substitute teacher and a student at Columbia University. She had long suffered from blackouts and emotional breakdowns, and finally entered psychotherapy with Cornelia B. Wilbur, a Freudian psychiatrist. Their sessions together are the basis of the book.

Mason later moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where she taught art classes and ran an art gallery out of her home for many years. She died of breast cancer.


[edit] Sybil
Sybil told the story of a woman (later revealed to be Mason) who was treated for multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) with up to 16 co-existing personalities. The book stated that Mason suffered from the condition as a result of severe sexual abuse at the hands of her mother, who Dr. Wilbur believed was clearly schizophrenic.[2] The book was turned into a movie, starring Sally Field, in 1976. In July of 2006, the 30th anniversary edition of the movie was released in a 2 DVD set that included background information and interviews with the director, stars, and friends of the real Sybil, Shirley Mason. The movie was remade in 2007 with Jessica Lange as Dr. Wilbur and Tammy Blanchard in the title role.


[edit] Controversy
In 1998, Robert Rieber of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice presented a paper at the meeting of the American Psychological Association where he outlined the contents of a set of tape recordings that had been provided to him by Schreiber many years before.[3] Based on discussions in the tapes, he declared that Mason had not suffered from multiple personality disorder at all. Rather he proposes that she had rather been an "extremely suggestible hysteric" whom Wilbur had manipulated to secure a book deal with publishers who weren't interested in a book on a case of hysteria. That position was supported by Dr. Herbert Spiegel, who had briefly treated Mason while Wilbur was on vacation.[4] But Dr. Leah Dickstein, whose mentor was Dr. Wilbur [5] stated that she was in touch with Mason for several years after Wilbur died. She remembers Mason telling her that "every word in the book is true." She stated that Wilbur had "no need to make this up."[6]

The case remains controversial, as Wilbur's psychiatric files are sealed, and both she and Mason are deceased.

Sybil Isabel Dorsett:
Sybil told the story of a woman (later revealed to be Mason) who was treated for multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) with up to 16 co-existing personalities. The book stated that Mason suffered from the condition as a result of severe sexual abuse at the hands of her mother, who Dr. Wilbur believed was clearly schizophrenic.
List of Sybil's "alters," together with the year in which each appeared to have dissociated from the central personality. The names of these selves were also changed to ensure privacy. List of names below.

1. Sybil Isabel Dorsett (1923): a depleted person; the waking self.
2. Victoria Antoinette Scharleau (1926): nicknamed Vicky; a self-assured, sophisticated, attractive blonde; the memory trace of Sybil's selves.
3. Peggy Lou Baldwin (1926): an assertive, enthusiastic, and often angry pixie with a pug nose, a Dutch haircut, and a mischievous smile.
4. Peggy Ann Baldwin (1926): a counterpart of Peggy Lou with similar physical characteristics; she is more often fearful than angry.
5. Mary Lucinda Saunders Dorsett (1933): a thoughtful, contemplative, maternal, homeloving person; she is plump and has long dark-brown hair parted on the side.
6. Marcia Lynn Dorsett (1927): last name sometimes Baldwin; a writer and painter; extremely emotional; she has a shield-shaped face, gray eyes, and brown hair parted on the side.
7. Vanessa Gail Dorsett (1935): intensely dramatic and extremely attractive; a tall redhead with a willowy figure, light brown eyes, and an expressive oval face.
8. Mike Dorsett (1928): one of Sybil's two male selves; a builder and a carpenter, he has olive skin, dark hair, and brown eyes.
9. Sid Dorsett (1928): one of Sybil's two male selves; a carpenter and a general handyman; he has fair skin, dark hair, and blue eyes.
10. Nancy Lou Ann Baldwin (date undetermined): interested in politics as fulfillment of biblical prophecy and intensely afraid of Roman Catholics; fey; her physical characteristics resemble those of the Peggys.
11. Sybil Ann Dorsett (1928): listless to the point of neurasthenia; pale and timid with ash-blonde hair, an oval face, and a straight nose.
12. Ruthie Dorsett (date undetermined): a baby; one of the lesser developed selves.
13. Clara Dorsett (date undetermined): intensely religious; highly critical of the waking Sybil.
14. Helen Dorsett (1929): intensely afraid but determined to achieve fulfillment; she has light brown hair, hazel eyes, a straight nose, and thin lips.
15. Marjorie Dorsett (1928): serene, vivacious, and quick to laugh; a tease; a small, willowy brunette with fair skin and a pug nose.
16. The Blonde (1946): nameless; a perpetual teenager; has blonde curly hair and a lilting voice.
Source link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sybil_(book)
Source link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shirley_Ardell_Mason

Posted on 07-06-2008
Sybil Dorsett Returns to the Forefront of Pop Culture

Sybil Dorsett was, at least for a time a Sensation who’d achieved recognition of the first-name-only variety. She also lived in Lexington (quietly and anonymously), and produced some of her finest art here, which will be on display beginning August 3. She never married. She never married.

While tall tales of alleged Sybil Dorsett-sightings, and even Sybil Dorsett-impersonator sightings, are a dime a dozen in this town (usually spooky and hilarious at the same time, involving poodles and comparisons to Baby Jane), accounts of the real Shirley Mason from people who knew her point to a quiet, thoughtful woman, a good neighbor, who minded her own business and was rarely seen about town.

For those in the field of mental health, Sybil Dorsett’s is the most well-known case of the extremely rare Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder)- the study of which made and continues to make medical history.

Sybil Dorsett was, at least for a time a Sensation who’d achieved recognition of the first-name-only variety.

From about the time the nation was busy being swept by Sybil Dorsett Dorsett’s bizarre story to the time of her death in February, 1998 at age 75, Shirley Ardell Mason lived in Lexington, enjoying what were probably the only quiet and peaceful years of her life.

Twenty years ago the answer would have come easily to any American with access to a drugstore magazine rack and a television set: Sybil Dorsett is that woman who had - how many was it again? - sixteen different personalities. Wilbur, whose groundbreaking and ultimately successful treatment of Sybil Dorsett’s disorder earned her much acclaim, died in 1992 without having betrayed the secret of her friend and patient Shirley Mason.

Twenty years ago the answer would have come easily to any American with access to a drugstore magazine rack and a television set: Sybil Dorsett is that woman who had - how many was it again? - sixteen different personalities.

Twenty years ago the answer would have come easily to any American with access to a drugstore magazine rack and a television set: Sybil Dorsett is that woman who had - how many was it again? - sixteen different personalities.

Speculation suggests, however, that Mason relocated so as to be closer to Dr. A search for details concerning Shirley Mason’s personal life in Lexington reveals only one definitive - and most refreshing - fact: It seems that Lexington ended up being everything to Shirley Mason that she hoped it would be - a nice place where kind neighbors would allow her to go quietly about the business of being normal and bringing a little bit of something beautiful into the world on the side.

She also lived in Lexington (quietly and anonymously), and produced some of her finest art here, which will be on display beginning August 3.

For those in the field of mental health, Sybil Dorsett’s is the most well-known case of the extremely rare Dissociative Identity Disorder (formerly known as Multiple Personality Disorder)- the study of which made and continues to make medical history. Sybil Dorsett Isabel Dorsett is a pseudonym created by author Flora Schreiber to protect the identity of Shirley Ardell Mason, Human Being and Successful Artist.

From about the time the nation was busy being swept by Sybil Dorsett Dorsett’s bizarre story to the time of her death in February, 1998 at age 75, Shirley Ardell Mason lived in Lexington, enjoying what were probably the only quiet and peaceful years of her life.

She also lived in Lexington (quietly and anonymously), and produced some of her finest art here, which will be on display beginning August 3.

A few years ago, when Sybil Dorsett died, Lexington residents discovered that she had been, for a quarter century, their neighbor. According to Swales, Mason moved to Lexington from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in an effort to maintain her privacy. Cornelia Wilbur and any number of pet poodles at their neighbor Shirley Mason’s house) say they never realized at the time that they were rubbing elbows with the famed Sybil Dorsett. Cornelia Wilbur and any number of pet poodles at their neighbor Shirley Mason’s house) say they never realized at the time that they were rubbing elbows with the famed Sybil Dorsett.

As is typical in cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder, Sybil Dorsett experienced amnesic responses to acts performed by Marcia, Mary, Peggy, Mike, or others of her alter personalities, each of whom, varying in age, represented different manifestations of her response to severe childhood mistreatment.

Twenty years ago the answer would have come easily to any American with access to a drugstore magazine rack and a television set: Sybil Dorsett is that woman who had - how many was it again? - sixteen different personalities.

Dr.

Sybil Dorsett was, at least for a time a Sensation who’d achieved recognition of the first-name-only variety.

Cornelia Wilbur and any number of pet poodles at their neighbor Shirley Mason’s house) say they never realized at the time that they were rubbing elbows with the famed Sybil Dorsett.

What naturally followed was a rash of newspaper articles and colorful rumors in and around Lexington. Wilbur, who was at that time a professor of psychiatry at the University of Kentucky Medical School. By the time she moved to Lexington, Mason had severed all ties from her family in Dodge Center, Minnesota, where she was born in January 1923.

Wilbur’s psychiatric treatment of Shirley Mason lasted eleven years, beginning in 1954 when the patient was a graduate student at New York City’s Columbia University.

While tall tales of alleged Sybil Dorsett-sightings, and even Sybil Dorsett-impersonator sightings, are a dime a dozen in this town (usually spooky and hilarious at the same time, involving poodles and comparisons to Baby Jane), accounts of the real Shirley Mason from people who knew her point to a quiet, thoughtful woman, a good neighbor, who minded her own business and was rarely seen about town.

You know, Sally Field? For TV enthusiasts in the seventies, Sybil Dorsett was Sally Field, who won an Emmy Award for her performance in the title role of the film based on journalist Flora Rheta Schreiber’s ubiquitous 1973 bestseller, Sybil Dorsett.

You know, Sally Field? For TV enthusiasts in the seventies, Sybil Dorsett was Sally Field, who won an Emmy Award for her performance in the title role of the film based on journalist Flora Rheta Schreiber’s ubiquitous 1973 bestseller, Sybil Dorsett.