The movie Sybil... if you want to learn some about DID / MPD.

The true story of a young woman named Sybil, whose childhood was so harrowing to her that she developed at least 13 different personalities.
The movie is cut into 19 parts in a playlist on You Tube.
Can be very triggering... but I felt the deep need to watch this movie.
It is very good and Sally Field does a fantastic job as being Sybil.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=4A08B4C9965429C0

I admire and respect all of you who deal with DID / MPD!

/daynnight

Lots and lots of controversy in the DID community about the "true" story of Sybil.

Daynnight....

Appreciate the post about "Sybil". I understand the good that you meant by it and that it is well intended.

Just wanted to let you know that although "Sybil" is a movie about a woman with DID, it was very dramatized by Hollywood and isn't as accurate as a lot of us with DID wish it could have been. IMHO, I don't think anyone should take much of anything they find in this movie as a true demonstration of what DID is, or how a person with DID behaves.

I think there may be many with DID/DDNOS (and without) who may not appreciate this post as the movie, in a way, stereotypes the disorder and the people with the disorder, and can lead to the perpetuation of negative stigma.

IMHO, one can learn as much about DID from watching "Sybil" as a person with OCD can by watching "Monk", or a Doctor can by watching "Scrubs".

I do appreciate the attempt to reach out to those with DID/DDNOS and understand that this post was not intended to be malicious in any way and I want to send you a big THANK YOU for that.

Just don't be surprised if some people feel a bit slighted.

Take care, and thanks again for thinking of us!!

Well... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to step on any toes.
I do realize that this movie is a Hollywood production and therefor can't be seen as the absolute truth. All people are different and those having the same diagnosis have it in their own individual way... We have all lived our own separate lives and no one can take on what we've lived through. But knowing 2 very close friend who both have DID with several alters... I can see a lot of similarities between their real life today and a lot of the aspects in this movie.
This is my personal opinion and I'm not trying to make anyone else think like I do. I'm not like that. I just believe that there are things to learn from this film even if it isn't completely correct in every way.
Maybe it was wrong of me to think of the movie as a help to understand DID... maybe you need to know someone with DID or have it yourself to know what to believe in and "take to heart" in this movie. To only watch the movie is not enough to bring justice to this condition.

Once again - I'm sorry of me posting this in a bit of a clumsy way.

I guess I'm trying to get my hands on everything concerning DID right now, since I'm trying to come to terms with myself having it. It's one thing to see DID in a friend or person you love, than it is seeing oneself in "a similar place".



Humbly

/daynnight

Daynnight...

You have nothing to apologize for!! I do not think you stepped on any toes!!

I apologize if this is how my response came across as it was not my intent. I was trying my best to make it clear that I was not personally upset, but I just wanted to offer some perspective and my opinion. I think there are some others that might have similar opinions regarding the issue, but it is not my place to speak for them and in a sense I did just that and I shouldn't have.

I am glad that you have close friends that can support you in your journey of healing. Since I have not talked with you here before, I do not have a good idea of what your experience with DID is. I would also like to offer my support to you.

I do appreciate you reaching out here in the community. The only purpose for my original response to your post was to simply thank you for your support, yet encourage you not to base your beliefs and ideas off of this movie alone.

I hope that you will continue to offer your support here and allow me and others to support you as well.

Take care...

{{{ dayandnight }}}

You did nothing wrong! If watching this movie helped you then it will surely help others!

I just think people are tired of seeing DID portrayed as such an out of control, drastic, personality-switching train wreck. People are really sensitive to it. That's all. Nothing personal.

There might be some people who's switching does become that extreme but it's not the norm. One of the reasons it's so hard to dx DID is because most people's systems are working overtime trying to keep it all hidden. Another reason is because a "switch" might only show up in a slight facial expression change.

It's the same thing with the show "The United States of Tara." Just another incorrect, circus-like portrayal of DID, in my opinion.

I don't know how many movies have been made about DID... I assume not many. To make a movie like this one I guess they have to compress the time frames a lot to make it fit into the length of a movie. By doing that it all gets even more intense... everything will have so to speak "sharp edges" not true to the reality when it comes to the time factor. I see what you're saying in the way that people might think this is an - every day - on going - dramatic series of events of switching. Of course they also add some extra spice to it all to make people go see the movie and bring in their beloved money.
Sometimes I've seen and heard my friends switch very fast... several times in a row... during a pretty long time. It has manifested in different voices... different facial expressions, different body language, eyes looking different and so on... Then there are days when my friend doesn't switch at all as we are talking... and also when we don't talk that day. It varies over time. I guess it has to do with a lot of factors: sleep pattern, food intake, triggers, being physically ill, worries about family members etc.

The part about physical touching...
I've held alters in my arms... alters who are so afraid of hugs... I listen to them... they listen to me... Something that makes me feel so good inside is to see how they've actually learned to trust me. I've been in tears myself and been comforted and held by an alter who finds it very hard to trust and to feel physical contact.

I feel proud to know my 2 friends! They warm my heart and I want to do the same to them. I love them both as well as all their alters. When they hurt bad... I feel some of that hurt too. I can never feel all of their hurt... but I can feel for them and to some level... with them.

Like you said Orange_Blossom... That's me right now at this point. I find it very difficult to really accept it all when it comes to myself. I question everything about myself and although my friends can tell I'm more than "one"... I tend to deny it. I've seen the proofs... I'm coherent pretty often... I'm actually... to be honest... scared of getting to know my alter more and to let her out. Just like with my Asperger's... it's mostly hidden inside. I could write so much about this when it comes to myself... but I find it hard to do so.

My psychologist doesn't know much about DID at all... In Sweden it's something only existing under the surface... it's never really talked about. My psychologist only says I've got like two "systems" working inside of me.
Last week I met a psychiatrist who came to Sweden to work only for a couple of days... She's from Denmark. At the end of the app I told her about how I dissociate. She asked a lot of questions and she said I described it well... about switching and having an alter/alters. For the first time - a doctor told me - that I do have an alter. It is really hard to digest... knowing I can't get much help in this country. This psychiatrist gave me this URL: http://www.peakstates.com She's just about to start working for: Institute for the Study of Peak States -"Methods for Fundamental Change in the Human Psyche". I haven't read much of it so far... but she left me her number if I wanted to talk to her about it.

Well... thank you for reading! Reading the stories of your lives and your encouraging words to each other, is a deep source of knowledge and also a comfort when the sky gets dark and cloudy.
Thank you all for your openness!

/daynnight

Daynnight!!

I am glad that you received some validation regarding your alter(s)!! I live in the US, and although there are still practitioners that don't agree with the dx, or don't treat it, it seems that there are more practitioners available here than in other Countries. I think this will change with some time, but it may be a slow process.

I can not imagine how difficult it can be for you and others who are struggling to learn about your systems and yourselves with an even more limited professional base to work with.

It sounds like you're doing some great work with yourself so far. It may be slow going for a bit, but keep hanging in there, and please keep sharing with us.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you better around the forum.

Take care....

(((((((((((((((((((((((( daynnight )))))))))))))))))))))

I did try to view the movie as you know but was triggered very bad immediately so l cant really comment on the movie. I have read all the posts here and l see and hear all your valid points. I more than anyone l suppose know that you have seen me at my worst and also when l am ok. I know that you dont think that the extremes are an ongoing everyy single day occurences because we do talk every day and have conversations of many many different topics. Please dont feel bad or that you have stepped on anyones toes, alot of our own self care involves extending our knowledge in our own diagnosis. Hunny l know you are scared and want to deny what has been said to you but dont be hard on yourself. I am here and always will be as you struggle along this path, just know that you are not alone and we all here understand and will be here to support you as and when you feel ready.
thank you for all you do for me and for my alters whenevr they may make an unprecedented interuption to our conversations, Thank you for seeing me for me and not as just someone with D.I.D. you make me feel accepted when in this life l dont want to have to keep explaining what is 'wrong'with me

you are precious and we love you alot.......sending many many safe hugs to you my one true friend

Yes, it is hard and I feel pretty lost... "on my own". Thank you so much for your compassionate words! Yes, I'm looking forward getting to know you as well. a safe gentle hug to you and yours (((( Elysium ))))

/daynnight

I think even if it's not a true story... it is a good movie. Well written imo.
Triggering, in spots yes, but it gave me some good insight into my systems and myselves.

aww... Mandy... you've touched my heart in so many ways... and you keep doing that day after day... To know you - is a precious gift. Honest true friendship can be so hard to find... but we've found it. Yes, I do see you for you - but then again... so do you as well - when it comes to me. Although you're going through really rough times and often hurt a lot, you still care about me and listen to my tears or cries for help in the pit of hopelessness.
The strongest connection between myself and your alters is probably Mr Lion... He's come to mean so much to especially the littles. I will never ever forget when they first met Mr Lion, nor will I forget the very lively discussion they had trying to decide what name to give him. Now he's Mr Lion but they all have their own name for him too.
Getting to know you dear Mandy and your alters has really en-richened my life in so many ways.
Now I'm standing here in confusion wondering about my own being... and still I feel safe in my heart knowing you're always there by my side. Thank you so much for being my friend, Mandy!

-------------------------
A movie is one thing... can be good in its way... I found the movie giving knowledge. But the true reality seen through the original eye instead of a camera lens is so much more reliable.
IMHO the best way to understand - is to be open minded and to try see the world of others through their eyes.

I really need you guys, please know that! I'm here to listen to you too.



/daynnight

Manda86... this movie giving you insight is a positive thing. Thanks for your input!

I guess like with all movies - all react differently to them.

Couldn't finish the movie... too tiggery thoughts goings crazy now

I didn't realize you were watching the movie right now. Hunny it is a movie... it is not your life. You're safe... the bad stuff is in the past. Talk to us... where here for you.
a safe warm gentle hug if you feel comfortable enough to receive it.

/daynnight

I just found this thread, being new here and all. Sybil.... I found it shocking, triggering but also it gave me some way to "see" what other DID's acted like outside of the Trauma Center I was in.

I agree that The United States of Tara is also so not realistic for me. That having outsiders not notice the switches that go on all the time is a major goal for them (the alters). I did find more of the feelings I experience and the doubt I have in my reality in the older movie "Three Faces of Eve".

There is a really good very realistic portrayal of a young woman with DID on Law and Order. I don't remember what season. But it was scary accurate.
I have such mixed feeling about the media portrayals of ALL the disorders and diseases of the mind. We are lucky, DID responds well to treatment through talk therapy and other things not including (usually) antipsycotics.

I found the movie "A Quiet Mind" with Russell Crowe fascinating as we are always questioning our Dx.

((((((((((((((daynnight))))))))))))))))

The law and order show with a DID person was this past season. The ending of that show was the detectives realizing the lady was not DID, she learned it from a book and used it as an excuse for murdering her child. The show had a write up at the end saying it was not based on a real person and was not an accurate description of a person with DID. they had to put that on there on the repeat showing of it cause of the controverssy of mental health people and people with DID who wrote in to them.

Never saw Sybil. My therapist warned me against watching it when I was diagnosed because of the controversy. I saw the first one of United States of Tara and didnt like it so not watching that one anymore.

"....The ending of that show was the detectives realizing the lady was not DID, she learned it from a book and used it as an excuse for murdering her child."

I saw that episode---was angered. It was a plot she and her sister cooked up to murder their parents...

O.K. I don't think it was the same one. But I will put it aside. There was another movie with Richard Gere and Edward Norton that was in fact for sure a person acting as if they had DID. And in the end it turned out they didn't. That movie made me really mad. But I thought I remembered for sure that the girl on law and order really had DID and the people didn't want to believe her. Maybe I forgot the end. THAT happens a lot. My husband sometimes says "You are watching that again? This must be about the 10th time you've seen it". I used to deny that I had ever watched it before. I don't bother to say that anymore and husband understands now too.

Umm after reading through this whole thread AGAIN TODAY I (Debbie50) don't think I wrote that DLH0702 entry I think an alter did.This is where I get myself into trouble in the real world. Someone will say I did something and I will swear that I didn't do it, all the while feeling intense shame and fear inside because what if I did?!? and don't remember?

I am not sure if everyone here knows what necromancy means in terms of posting in a thread (Bringing back an old thread). I didn't until recently. I looked at that word in "my" former post and thought what is she talking about? This thread is not more than a month old? So I would like to apoligize for my alter who said that, because as someone else said, I am ultimately responsible for everyone inside.

Sorry I am rambling on and on. I'm having a rough week and it's only Tues.
Debbie50

While Sybil is a true story, that is NOT how most DIDers act...the DIDers we know try desperately hard to NOT show their inside selves to ANYONE outside of their comfort zone. For the Jewels, we would rather die than announce to the world that we are DID. There is such a stigma attached to any kind of mental illness, but we don't consider having DID as an illness, but a coping skill that we honed well to keep ourselves safe and within our walls there are few who have never been out, due to their own issues and at times their trying to commandeer the body to do things we would rather not say here...

There are a few movies that deal with DID...there is also one that is called The Three Faces of Eve...we watch all the movies once so that we know what is portrayed in them...and if we like the movie we will tell others about it...so far we have not seen any movie or documentary that properly addresses DID, but that is our own humble opinion.

Thanks for letting us give our two cents' worth.

The Jewels

When I was 28, 19 years before I was dx with DID I tried to watch Sybil and literally turned the tv off 20+ times. It scared the hell out of me and I had no understanding of why.

As others have said I put so much effort in "passing for normal" that I fought my Ts dx for years. Passing for normal was something bred deeply within because those who abused me told me how slowly and painfully i would die if I EVER told on them.

It has been a hard to find well-balanced materials on the topic of DID and that is why people are somewhat "reactive" to your well-intentioned suggestion to watch the moview Sybil.

There are some very good books - written in english, that do give insight into DID or that teach about DID. I found them on Amazon.com. There are other autobiographies and non-fiction books written by therapists or psychiatrists. I must encourage you to be careful about the books you buy - some are more graphic and triggering than others.

I am so sorry there is little help in Sweden, you need help just like us. I can only hope that things will get better over time where you are as people get more educated and tolerant (i hope!!!)

As others have said, I know you intentions were kind and I hope you will not stop writing here because things got a bit tense. That movie Sybil scared me so badly that I have never watched it again. It upset many of my alts who were subject to much intentional cruelty.

I hope to see you around.

Leslie and her Pixies

Im hoping its ok to post here - if not then just ignore me ok but this thread caught my eye

i saw the movie when I was a child - I used to be able to sing in two voices at the same time and didint think anything of it - after seeignthe movie I was freaked out

recently I was in a book store and climbed a ladder lokking at the books on the top shelf - and saw the book sybil - and I have seen her interviewed it is a true story - and I stepped off the ladder hit my head - ouch! got concussion! cos I had a flashback to the moment in the movie when she first switched..... and i thought about my 2 vioces.... I have an inner child now - LB - little bird - appropriate cos phoenix is a big bird! lol she used to just cry all the time - but recently she sits with me - anyway - the post caught my eye and I had to post - like I said if I shouldnt be here - just ignore me and I will go away - no worries to all

**possible triggers, but not too rough**

By the way, I read an auto-biography by the true person (represented by the name Sybil). Her name is Chris Sizemore. When she wrote on her own account she was up to 57 personalities. The movie was given a tidy, partial ending in the movie, but in real life - like most of us it took her a long time and hard work to get to the place of peace in her life.

Look around and see the other bio's out there and non-fiction books that share what is known about DID and how to help with it.

Do be careful though, some auto-bio's can be as emotionally wrenching as Sybil - "When Rabbit Howls" was very graphic and intense book. I might have handled it better if I had read it a while later in my journey. Sometimes I just feel "driven" to seek information and driven to seek to know all my parts and get them helped. I guess I'm wired that way, but it has cost me a lot of anxiety and fear - well actually I should say it has cost my alts a lot, i think the ones who pick up the books to read are not from the feeling parts but the denial parts or non-emotional parts.

One of my hardest areas to change has been to learn and practice good self-care. I was taught to self-destruct by the ones who abused me. I wish I had not been so slow to catch on to their "programming" or "brainwashing". I was trained, literally to harm myself and I think this is very common for those of us who have dissociative disorders. I do NOT want to remain this way.

Leslie and Pixies

Hi phoneix7,

I have someone inside who just crys too. She is 7. I am glad you posted here.

Debbie50