Flora Rheta Schreiber (1918–1988)

It is impossible to say a book on such a sensitive and horrific issue as child abuse is a great book to read; in fact, this book is probably one of the most difficult ones to read that you will ever come across. Having studied psychology, it is a known fact that Multiple Personality Disorder(MPD) is associated with child abuse. The personality "splits" when the human psyche can no longer cope with the pain of abuse.
Sybil is a story of such abuse at the hands of a mentally disturbed mother - sexual, physical and emotional abuse prevail. Sybil is a true story based on one of the most severe cases of MPD and child abuse in history. Over a span of twenty years, it reveals the various "personalities" living within one woman. How one could even survive such atrocities is beyond belief. The time period of this story ends in the 40's. Today, research continues on this subject and much has been learned since Sybil's case, but one can never have enough knowledge.
Sybil's personalities eventually merge and in 1998, the real Sybil died, finding, we hope, final peace and contentment… (mais)

O livro trata sobre uma mulher chamada Shirley Ardell Mason, nascida em 25 de janeiro de 1923 na cidade de Dodge Center, no estado de Minnesota. Sua história é o mais famoso caso de personalidade múltipla já registrado. No livro, Sybil Isabel Dorsett (nome fictício que a autora atribuiu para proteger a privacidade de Shirley) é uma paciente com severos problemas de ansiedade social e perda de memória. Com o decorrer da terapia, a Dra. Wilbur descobre que ela tem 16 personalidades distintas. Ela usa hipnose e o barbitúrico Amobarbital para encorajar as diversas personalidades de Sybil a se comunicarem e revelarem informações sobre a vida da paciente… (mais)