SYBIL in her own words: The Untold Story of Shirley Mason, Her Multiple Personalities and Paintings Kindle Edition

Any person that grew up in the 60's and 70's either read the original book of Sybil or had seen the made for TV movie. Many psychology college classes required this book as reading and many were appalled at the treatment Sybil, Shirley Mason, had received as a child. There have been continual debates about the truth of this story and the mental illness of multiple personalities and disassociative disorder. Patrick Suraci completes the story about Shirley Mason in truth, especially from the diaries and conversations with Ms. Mason. I believe it was in January 1994 when my mother received a phone call that Shirley was indeed the Sybil as written in the book. The caller wanted my mother to know before the Newsweek article came out telling who the book was written about as Shirley was a first cousin to my mother, grew up with her, played with her, and loved her. My mother had no idea about the book, Sybil, as she was born in 1920. As a licensed social worker for 32 yrs., I have seen clients with MPD and DID. Anyone who is interested in mental health, works in the field, art therapists, has a friend or family member with this diagnosis, needs to read this book. Patrick Suraci shares the story of Shirley and it will give friends, family, and therapists hope that is needed in order for a person to integrate the personalities and live a productive, successful, and compassionate, giving life as Shirley Mason did.

This book details the relationship between the author and Shirley Mason, renamed Sybil by Flora Schreiber. The most interesting thing about "The Untold Story" is Shirley's artwork, which is the author's main concern. Some of Shirley's art reminds me of Van Gogh, and all of it is interesting in depicting the many moods Shirley went through in her life. Dr. Suraci also includes many photographs, which are very telling. Shirley's mother, who supposedly victimized Shirley for many years, looks like a tyrant, and in some pictures Shirley looks much too thin, very depressed and neglected. What a shame that parents can do this to their children. If you are interested in Sybil's life, this book will add to your understanding and knowledge.

Dr. Suraci has given Shirley Mason (aka Sybil) an opportunity to posthumously confront those who contend that her life story and her diagnosis of multiple personality disorder (MPD) as recounted in the book SYBIL is a fraud. In well-written prose that incorporates dialogue from their taped conversations and by showcasing relevant writings, artwork and photographs, the author demonstrates that Ms. Mason, without a doubt, developed MPD as a result of extreme abuse as a child.Dr. Suraci writes: "From my contact with Shirley in 1993 until her death she never 'vacillated' about her life's story as portrayed in the book SYBIL. On the contrary, she often expressed gratitude that she had been cured of the terrifying and disruptive symptoms of MPD" (Kindle, p. 3357).In response to critics who disputed her diagnosis of MPD (now known as Dissociative Identity Disorder), Ms. Mason said, "Let them say what they want. It's my life and I know what's the truth" (Kindle, p. 3303).By sharing her thoughts and experiences with Dr. Suraci, Shirley Mason (aka Sybil), left a legacy of truth and a message of hope for child abuse survivors from around the world.Wanda Karriker, Ph.D.Author: Morning, Come QuicklyCo-developer: The International Extreme Abuse Survey

The story of this remarkable woman touched me and fascinated me. The artwork is fascinating, brilliant and haunting, and I thought the author's analysis was quite thoughtful. I was glad to know that she survived and lived life on her own terms. But I found the writing by the author a little bit repetitive and disjointed, it was hard to follow as he frequently jumped around in time and repeated things in different contexts. I also couldn't help getting a little bit of a feeling that he was, though perhaps unintentionally, exploiting this woman who was frail and elderly, but experienced and clever enough enough to allow just enough room to get her story out, but not enough room for him to take anything that belonged to her and turn it into something else. I felt that she really wanted to be left alone, but felt that he was a nice guy and she was too kind to say. Then again, I'm just as guilty I suppose, I wanted to know the rest of her story too...I bought the book. I do believe that her goal of making people more compassionate and understanding towards mental illness still has a long way to go, but she should be credited with the courage to be one of the pioneers that allowed us to begin our way down that path.

This book has true words from Shirley Mason who once was known as Sybil. After she felt confident that he would report her story accurately, she told Dr. Patrick Suraci the rest of her life after she was cured. Even before this, Herbert Spiegle had attacked her honesty about her multiple personalities, although he could not prove this stating he lost the tape of his hypnosis of her. She didn't care to engage in a battle with him because preserving her anonymity was more important to her Shirley's 100 paintings in beautiful color made by 5 of her personalities in their distinct and unique styles, giving further proof to their separate identities,, make this book special. Dr.Suraci knew all three women. He paints pictures of them that only he knows. He shows their eccentricities adding to an understanding of them as real human beings. He has no axe to grind against them and no reason to print lies. Everything that he says about the Schreiber archives can be found there unlike others who fabricated additions to those documents.

The author wanted to write a book about Sybil but the interesting part of the story had already been told in the book SYBIL. There was really nothing of interest to say after she was cured.I finally just gave up reading on this, it was boring and there were no revelations left to tell.

I first heard about Shirley Ardell Mason when I was 16 when I read the book Sybil. I became obsessed with multiple personalities and other mental health illnesses and have read many books.When I saw this advertised to download onto my kindle I wasted no time. The book is lovely and gives closure on unanswered questions, that I found my self having after reading the book Sybil.I'm glad Shirley lived a relatively normal life after 16 became 1 and was able to continue to paint.I would suggest you read the book Sybil before this one so you have an understanding of what she went through in order for the personalities to manifest themselves and then after reading Sybil and this book I recommend buying the film that was made as a two part series for US television which will give you the visual side of this illness.

did Sybil stay integrated and in controlof her life after her ground breaking pychoananalis by Dr Cornelia Wilbur eaver or did she revert to her multiple personalities in times of stress. the story of one man's quest to find the truth behind flora reta Schreiber haunting masterpiece.

During the time that it took to read the book, I had a feeling of peace emanating from Sybil. Anyone who has had a traumatic childhood will know how the trauma affects you for the rest of your life, in every aspect of your life. The peace which Sybil has after working through the trauma with her psychologist over many years, is inspiring and very humbling. Her belief in God is intact and her gift for painting has been developed to the full. What a wonderful testimony to the abiity of man to seek out and heal in the face of tremendous obstacles. I could hardly put down the book and found that the author researched his subject very well and his handling of the first meeting with Sybil and subsequent meetings was carried out with tact anda lot of empathy.

Nice to know that Sybil was eventually cured and went on to live a normal life. I found this book a bit boring and would not really recommend it.

This is an excellent book as it continues the story about Shirley Mason Sybil. I read and watched the film Sybil although this book was controversial at the time and MPD/DID was categorised as histerics. I found reading this book made Shirley Mason and her experiences more real instead of a case study that highlights all that is of interest to the Clinitions working in the field of childhood trauma