Comment by Alton on 14 Oct 2010 at 11:19 pm

Karen, thank you for telling your story. I am a male multiple personality patient with ten alters I am not like the lady on Oprah. I am more like you. What did you think of that Oprah show guest. I would bet she has lots to learn.

Alton

Dear Alton,

I am not like the woman who appeared as a guest on the Oprah show. No two multiples are alike, but I believe one common thread is that we were all abused during our childhood and used dissociation to survive.

Kim Noble, the female multiple who appeared on the Oprah Show, continues to have a difficult life. I don’t believe she’s interested in integration and becoming one whole person. It seems Kim has chosen to live with her alters. My alters caused too much chaos for me and integration was in my best interest. I have no regrets. Oprah wanted to display a multiple with active alters. My alters have integrated within me and cannot appear in their once individual state.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Karen

Comment by Becky on 14 Oct 2010 at 8:49 pm

Karen,

My mind cannot comprehend all that you have experienced. You are truly a miracle of survival, hope and courage. Dr. Baer’s book, your story, is difficult to read. It makes me so angry at the people who hurt you. But it is almost impossible to put down. I just wanted to say God Bless you. Thank you for telling your story. I am certain that through it knowledge of MPD will be gained and people will be helped. I know there is a special spot in heaven for people like you.

Becky

Dear Becky,

I know my story can be hard to read. Looking back and remembering where I have been is hard for me, too. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I’m alive and well. I survived and will I continue to answer questions hoping to help others. I have faith.

Thank you for believing that I inspire survival, hope and courage. I was the lucky one. I believe there is a reason for everything and that my story is meant to be shared. I am grateful to receive a second chance to live.

I can understand the anger you feel towards people who abuse children; I feel that, too. But there is hope in sharing and paying attention to the signs in the children around us. Those who abused me have been silenced. I no longer am a victim to my past. I try my best to look forward.

It is Dr. Baer’s and my hope that knowledge will be gained through our story. I pray to be in God’s service for as long as I am needed.

Thank

Comment by B. Carlin on 14 Oct 2010 at 7:10 am

Hey Karen you are the most interesting woman I have ever read about. Your determination to live even through suicidal ideations is a miracle yet to be told. I have often wanted to take my own life. As a matter of fact I recently felt life sucks and it was my best choice to end my suffering. I am asking you what changes your mind and how far have you come to almost doing it? I don’t know what stopped me this time but I do know that just before I did stop I thought of you. Something made me think of you so I turned the lights on and all appeared bright. I admire your way of getting into my soul without even knowing it. I read your book two years ago and swear it was your story that made me feel guilty to end my life. Keep it up whatever it is you do to discretely do as you share your life story with us. Switching Time is the best book to read if anyone thinks they have nothing to contribute while living and think their death will help. Death wont help me today. I chose to live. Thank you, Karen Overhill. Thank you Richard Baer for being patient with Karen during all her threats to suicide. Guilt is an amazing gift don’t ever forget it.

B. Carlin

Georgia

Dear B. Carlin,

Thank you for being honest and sharing your thoughts, while feeling low enough to have thoughts of suicide. Though Dr. Baer has taught me that suicide thoughts are okay to have as long as you don’t take action on them, I have worn myself down fighting the idea that I would be better off dead. Please excuse my bluntness, but I continue to have bad moments now and then, and sometimes the first thought that comes to me is to end my life. But I always step back and “turn” on the lights, as you expressed. Pushing myself into feeling optimistic is a must during those dark moments; but it is possible.

What do I do? I take a deep breath and try to understand where my dark thoughts come from. Most of the time they come from a fear of the unknown. I may be afraid to tackle something. I may feel insecure or may even wish not to accept feeling good. It’s never the same dark thought twice, but remarkably I know deep down those thoughts do not belong in my present. My dark thoughts belong in my past, and my future holds no room for them. But I put up a W.A.L.L. (Wait A Little Longer) before acting. After years of healing, putting up a WALL has become as natural to me as getting out of bed each day. The dark thoughts soon subside, are forgotten, and disappear. Living with past abuse is a life long journey. Therapy doesn’t cure what happened to you, but it helps you live your life to your best ability.

Guilt? Maybe in this instance that’s a good thing for you and me. I don’t mean for you to feel guilty because I’ve gotten inside your heart and soul, but I am proud to be of help. I am glad to hear that something prevented you from taking you life. I’m glad that you’re alive.

Wishing you all my best on your own journey to wellness.

Karen

Comment by Bessie on 11 Oct 2010 at 7:26 am

I wish you were the one on the Oprah show. Does that other lady have a book out? Her art was okay but your pictures are more intense and detailed. Anyone could have drawn what she did in ten minutes. Not a very good choice for Oprah. Did Oprah ever even acknowledge your stroy? I would like to see you on her show as you are integrated and help so many of us with compassion and thoughtfulness. I wrote to her but never heard back. I love that you are you. I pray for you and am really hoping you write more.

God be with you and Richard Baer. Your work together inspired me.

Bessie

Dear Bessie,

Though it would’ve been nice to appear on The Oprah Show, I’m not upset not to have been. The show that was aired was well done, but it needed to show a multiple with active alters. My alters have been integrated, and therefore the audience would not have been able to “see” me switch. I believe my story is very important to all and it is my desire to share my journey in healing. I’m glad Dr. Baer never exposed me to something like The Oprah Show during my therapy days. That may have had a negative result in my healing process. I chose to wait until I was ready, and Dr. Baer and I shared my story through Switching Time.

Honestly, I do not know whether Kim Noble has a book published. I’m sure she may write one now that she appeared on The Oprah Show, but I’ve found she sells her artwork online. There was a time, way before my meeting Dr. Baer, that I too created many different kinds of art and sold them for money to live on and for college. Those who have purchased my works of art are unsuspecting that a multiple created them. I never took down the names of the people I sold my work to, but would definitely recognize each piece if I saw it.

Ms Winfrey has never personally acknowledged my story, but that’s okay. She may not have read my story, I can’t be sure, although I know her staff members have. My story is hard to take in and once started, it should be finished in order to experience the truly amazing journey of my life. I am currently writing a sequel to Switching Time in hope to bring more understanding of what it is like to be “me.”

Thank you for your warm wishes and encouragement to share more of my story. Dr. Baer and I hope to continue on doing what we do best, helping others understand the once incomprehensible illness, multiple personality disorder. I love a challenge and welcome any discussion regarding my experience of survival.

Karen

Comment by Paige on 10 Oct 2010 at 9:38 pm

Karen,

Your book has helped me so much. I had a lot of similar things happen to me, and for a long time was only able to talk about things in bits and pieces. I work in the mental health field, so that makes it harder for me to open up sometimes. One of my supervisors at work suggested your book to me and I started reading it. I am in awe of your strength, and through reading such atrocities that you have sadly been through, have given me some hope to allow other parts of me to come out, and to discuss the memories that certain parts share. Thank you again for everything. You are a true inspiration to many.

Paige

Dear Paige,

You’re welcome! Thank you for sharing! I am glad to hear that my story has helped you understand what you are going through. I can understand your difficulty in sharing and speaking up while working in the mental health field. I work for a counseling center and sometimes put myself on hold, rarely sharing or opening up. At work I hope no one will ask me questions about myself. Though I do not share with clients, my fellow workers know my story, emotionally support me, and accept me for who I am. I know they are there for me when and if I need them, but I continue to my best to keep that part of my life out of my work environment

I am glad that someone shared my story with you and hope that you will come to accept the damaged parts of yourself. My alters never needed to come out unless I was under distress or in need of intervention. Now is the time to heal in the safety of therapy. Please seek help with a qualified therapist, if you haven’t already, who can help you manage your painful memories.

Thank you so much for your compliments and support! Wishing you a safe journey to healing.

Karen

Comment by Carla on 06 Oct 2010 at 6:09 am

Are you aware of the Oprah show broadcasting a lady with 20 personalities on her show today? Why isn’t it you on her show? What the f**k is wrong with Oprah? She’s making a BIG MISTAKE!!!!! Love you, Miss Karen. There is no one better than you and the doc to share about this illness. No one else. Blessing to you and Richard Baer.

Carla

Dear Carla,

Yes, Carla, I am aware and I watched it! I thought it was a very good show of a woman with twenty active alters. I admit, I was a bit concerned that Kim Noble chose to have her daughter guest with her and I can’t understand why Kim’s therapist allowed such exposure. It saddens me that Kim and her therapist never shared the possibility of integration. Kim has received a lot of publicity by showing off her alters, and for TV, it’s more interesting to see someone with active alters than someone who is integrated.

My empathy is with Kim’s daughter. I could not have exposed my child that way on live television at age thirteen.  At eighteen, maybe. In my opinion, for I am not a therapist, a thirteen year-old is at an age where this could cause emotional damage. But I wish them well and a continued safe journey towards healing.

Although I talked with the producers at Oprah’s show several times, I believe I was not chosen for this episode because I’m healed and cannot demonstrate my ex-alters on the show. I’m not angry or upset. It was a good show and served its purpose. I thoroughly enjoyed Erin Merryn’s story and her accomplishment in having “Erin’s Law” passed. And I also loved hearing from Trudie Chase’s daughter, Kara.

I only wish I was asked to be in the audience and meet the guests on that show. That would’ve been nice and thoughtful of the staff to invite me after their many calls and my sharing my story with them. I believe my time will come some day. I have faith. As soon as a show is needed on healing from the illness, MPD/DID, that will be the show for Dr. Baer and me.

Thank you for supporting my story, for your blessings and well wishes.

Karen

Comment by Kayla on 06 Oct 2010 at 4:31 pm

Dear Karen,

My name is Kayla. I’m 17 years old, and have read your story and have been doing some of my own research on cases like yours. I have found through your story, that things like MPD fascinate me greatly.

During the first two weeks of school, my English teacher mentioned a book, called First Person Plural. I’m sure you’ve heard the name. Well, our entire school has to write a book report, and there are roughly around six hundred kids in my school. I was originally going to check out the book, First Person Plural, but they were out of copies. So I just happened to run by your book; and I read the inside cover, and the first few pages of the first chapter and was instantly engaged with it. I couldn’t put it down for weeks. I even read your note, plus Dr. Baers’.

I just want to say, that you, as Judy has said, are one of God’s miracles. I must admit, that you are the strongest person I’ve ever.. well. Read about, really. I haven’t met you.. But you are one of the strongest, I assure you. What happened to you, is just uncalled for, on so many levels, I mean that, honestly. But for you to be as strong as you were with all of this, being patient through all of the years, it gives hope to others who struggle, whether you realize it or not. Your story helps others appreciate the good in life, and that it’s not all bad, and that you can make things that were once bad, you can make them beautiful again.

Anyways, I’ve been sidetracked, aha. But one question. The artwork that Jensen drew. The pictures in the book, are those the only ones? I’d love to see more.

Take care, and God bless you.

Kayla

Columbus, OH

Dear Kayla,

Thank you so much for sharing your kind thoughts and compliments! Receiving your post has me feeling good about living. I will continue to encourage hope through sharing my story for as long as possible. It’s my desire to help others by being available to listen. I care. During my childhood I felt no one cared or listened. Life is too short for us to ignore each other.  My patience and strength comes from feeling secure and cared for. I did not survive alone. I was fortunate to find the right supports.

There are more pictures by Jensen not shown in the book. Dr. Baer has them all in safekeeping. There are also poems, letters, and much more…an entire file cabinet full of gifts and things that were important to my alters and me.

And yes, Kayla, you can make bad things beautiful again.

Wishing you all my best!

Karen

Comment by Justien on 05 Oct 2010 at 5:20 pm

Hi!

I just love the book! Sometimes I had to stop reading cause I couldn’t handle it. But somehow I just wanted to read more and more. It’s amazing the things that you’ve survived! I’m sorry for all the pain you went through. But I’m glad you found Dr. Baer. I know some people who would die for someone like him! I’m glad you wrote the book. I couldn’t stop reading, I couldn’t let the book go.

We have one problem in Belgium, I can’t find it in English. I would buy it directly. You are an amazing person!

Justien

Dear Justien,

Thank you for your compliments! Dr. Baer and I truly appreciated hearing your reaction to reading our story. I’m glad to have found Dr. Baer to accompany me on my journey.   I am currently working on the sequel to Switching Time. You can buy our book in Flemish in Belgium or Holland.  You can also purchase the English version online here through our Web site (www.switchingtime.com).

Thank you for sharing.

Karen

Comment by Mike on 29 Sep 2010 at 10:48 pm

The things you post on Facebook cheer me up every day. Thank you for the time you spend taking care of all of us. I am so happy you accepted my friendship. You are so smart. I bet Dr. Richard is proud of you. I like the message you sent him. It’s so true. I am copying it and printing it out and reading it everyday. Can you share it again here. The one about Before you talk, listen. etc. You are compassionate and caring. I love you.

Mike

Dear Mike,

Thank you for noticing! I try my best to post things that help me get through my day. I am glad to hear my posts help you, too! It’s my hope too that Dr. Baer is proud of me. The message I posted on my Facebook wall for all to see, including Dr. Baer, follows:

Before you talk, listen.

Before you react, think.

Before you criticize, wait.

Before you pray, forgive.

Before you quit, try.

Though not perfect, I try my best to live by these words. I’ve fallen victim to those who judge too quickly. I keep this quote close at hand and try to think about it before taking action. Sometimes one needs to take a deep breath before reacting…

Thank you again for sharing!

Karen

Comment by Cami on 28 Sep 2010 at 11:29 pm

Dear Karen,

I am reading your story now and think you are incredibly brave and generous for sharing it with the world. I am so sorry for your painful experiences – I too cried to hear about your abuse. I wish I could send you a million hugs and wipe every sad memory away! I wish you every blessing life has to offer.

Cami

Dear Cami,

Hugs accepted! Thank you for caring and wishing all my sad memories away. I have tried to put my sad past memories behind me. I live in the present and look forward to a better future. I may still feel sad at times, but I try my best to acknowledge whatever made me feel sad and put in where it belongs, in my past.

Thank you for your blessing!  Sending a hug back to you!

Wishing you all my best!

Karen