Comment by Sister Mary Frances on October 26, 2008 1:04 am

Dear Karen,

I met a woman on the train who was reading your book and sobbing. I asked her if there was something wrong? She said, We all have strengths and weaknesses, this book is a very special book, for it identified my weaknesses, the woman in this book wanted to heal and give of herself to help others achieve their dreams. She said this woman came into my heart. This stranger told me to pick one up that she thought it’s reading most important. I did and wish to talk with her again. Don’t remember her name? We talked for twenty minutes about this book and when I exited the train I picked one up at the bookstore three blocks away, guessing curiosity at this strange meeting got to me? God works through each of us to learn. The conversation began as many do? Is something wrong? Can I help? When you witness someone like this it’s hard to turn your back.

Normally I would never dare buy a book like this. I am a nun. I am appalled by the church where you schooled and attended. I will pray for all. Situations influenced you to make decisions you were not sure about. Trust your own thoughts and go with them. I believe God has spoken through you, to all those who read your story. What happened to your soul when the spiritual underlayment was destroyed and a part of your “whole” being was missing, was horrific?

I pray for you to grow, it’s a wonderful feeling, your efforts will bring you everlasting love.
God bless you,
Sister Mary Frances

Dear Sister Mary Frances,

Thank you for sharing this beautiful story!  I can visualize this meeting.  How nice to know you took the time to ask a woman in need if she needed help.  This is how we all should be.  I am glad to hear there was a very encouraging conversation between you and this passenger who happened to be reading my story.  I, too, believe there is a reason for everything.  What are the chances of this happening without God’s help?

I am surprised that you read Switching Time.  You are kind to share that you felt appalled by the school and church I attended.  However, it wasn’t the fault of the school and church, it was the fault of those few members who abused me under God’s name, in God’s house.  I was reluctant to tell anyone, because who would listen to me when a priest and policeman were involved.

I always try to trust my own instincts but sometimes fail at this. I believe I’ve been fortunate to have someone look out for me.  Dr. Baer has been my mentor, and whenever I messed up he was there to help me understand what I’ve done wrong.  I’ve been far from perfect.

I’ll continue to pray for all those who suffer from the pain of childhood abuse.  It’s not easy living with a heavy heart.  Maybe it’s true that God has spoken through me.  I share my story hoping to help others.  I just wish it wasn’t so hard to do.  My story does have a happy ending though, for I did survive.

Thank you for your blessings,

Karen

Comment by Claudia Beverly Hills on October 25, 2008 11:37 pm

Hey Karen,

When you think about how your life was in the old days when people may have only needed to make three o five decisions in a day, when times were simplier and defined, how are you when bombarded with information and questions after integration of the alters who kept things separate? How do you deal with the constant noise of information and choices that may be difficult to get away from? In todays world with constant picture taking, cell phones, sound bites, computers and all the rest, how did you transfer alter ways into modern day ways? You must have had an incredible amount of shit to sift rhough. Are you done yet?

Claudia
Beverly Hills

Dear Claudia,

I’ve never thought about these things before you asked these questions, but I’ll try my best to answer.  My old days were lived in chaos.  If it weren’t for alter help through dissociation I’m not sure what would’ve happened to me.  I believe my dissociating was a God sent blessing.  Of course, times seemed simplier back then, and I lived one day at a time.  Most of the time I never expected to live another day. I grew up either believing I would be killed by my father or wishing I would die. Not much decision making, is there?

Being bombarded with life after integration was hard.  I won’t deny this.  As a matter of fact, I continue to struggle with trying to fit into the real world.  I am definitely overwhelmed by all the noise of information coming in.  It took a while before I started accepting all the new information coming in as my own reality.  I believe some of my alters learned a little of everything I needed in order to survive. I used to joke with others about knowing a little bit of everything and not enough about anything.  There is always room to learn more, and I continue to learn more each day.  

Thank you these challenging, thought provoking questions.

Karen

Comment by Trevor on October 25, 2008 4:13 pm

In your mind do you hypothesis multiplicity? Were you easily hypnotized before, during and after integration? In your opinion, Did you recoil quickly after your sessions? Is this book an hyperbole, exaggeration? Very mesmerizing, well written.

Trevor

Dear Trevor,

I no longer think as I did when I was a multiple, but sometimes wish I could turn off my thoughts to maintain a sense of calm.  I don’t believe I was easily hypnotized.  I was too guarded to be hypnotized before building trust with Dr. Baer.  I’ve never had been hypnotized since integration.  There was never a reason to be.  After each session with Dr. Baer I was exhausted and but I come back to where I needed to be quickly.

I wish I could say that Switching Time was an exaggeration, but it was not.  Unfortunately, my story is true.

Thank you for your compliments.

Karen

Comment by John on October 25, 2008 4:47 am

Hello Karen,

How are you? Really? I’ve been checking this site on and off for a few months now. I am fascinated in how you manage to do this after all you went through and worried at the same time. I thank you for helping me through some tough times a few months ago. I respect you. I am checking in on you and letting you know my life is going well. Keep this blog up, you helped me and really are helping others, believe it or not.

John 

Dear John,

Thank you for checking in. I’m so glad to hear that you are doing well and that my answers have given you some comfort.

I know the questions have been growing the last few months. I appreciate your concerns on how well I am handling this. I am doing the best I can.  And am happy that there are readers who believe I’m being helpful.

Thank you for believing in me.

Karen

Comment by Not finished Mary on October 23, 2008 8:47 pm

Hi Karen,

Does Dr. Richard Baer still treat MPD patients? Where is his practice located in Chicago? How do I make an appointment to see him? I was diagnosed six years ago and my therapist died four months ago. I am still mourning but wish to continue the process that he started. I don’t like the replacement therapist. My deceased therapist was great like your doctor and I miss him so much. My therapy was working until his sudden death and now we are screwed. I have three alters left to integrate out of ten. If this happened to you what would you do? Please advise?

Thank you,
Not finished Mary

Dear Mary,

I’m sorry that your therapist has passed on.  I can only imagine how devastated you must feel.  How terrible to be in the middle of treatment and lose the only person who had been there for you in the way you needed most, your therapist.  I am not a therapist myself and can’t advise you.  Please don’t give up on your therapy.  I can understand how hard it might be to learn to trust another therapist so soon after your loss.  I’m sure your new therapist will be just as concerned over your well being as your original therapist was. Please give your new therapist another chance. If, after awhile you don’t feel you can build trust with the new therapist, please seek help elsewhere.  What’s most important is talking with someone who is qualified and to receive the appropriate help you need to move forward.

I can feel your pain.  I’m not sure what would’ve happened to me if I lost Dr. Baer.  I can’t imagine having continued on.  However, as hard as it is, please know that your therapist would’ve wanted you to get well and survive.  Please think of all the hard work you both accomplished so far!  You have integrated seven alternate personalities!  You’re almost there!

Unfortunately, Dr. Baer no longer treats patients.  I’m sorry about this.  I’m sure there are good therapists everywhere; find the right one for you.

I wish you a safe, continued journey and hope to hear from you again.

Karen

Comment by S. Jefferson on October 23, 2008 6:16 pm

Hi Karen,

Great story! Crazy in so many distinguished ways and so utterly mind bggling. I can comprehend and grasp your constant headaches. I had one trying to perceive it all. This book well covered an entire therapeutic history. Congratulations to you on recovering and congratulations to Richard Baer on accomplishing the art of writing and publishing a book! Remarkable, immense and unusual!

S. Jefferson

Dear S. Jefferson,

Yes, I agree that my story, in Switching Time, is mind boggling and not for the weak and timid.  It’s interesting to me that you mentioned my headaches.  These headaches were a definite nuisance. I guess I could see how reading our book can cause you a headache, too! 

Thank you for all of your compliments, especially on our book being a complete history of our therapeutic journey.

Karen

Comment by Eleni on October 23, 2008 6:00 am

Hi Karen,

I don’t know what to ask you?  But I will tell you one thing.  This book made me a believer in multiple personality disorder or dissociative identity disorder.  I totally understand it now.  Thank you for contributing to science.

Eleni

Dear Eleni,

I can imagine how hard it is to try to figure out what to ask after reading Switching Time.  Thank you for coming to a understanding of this illness and believing in the possibilities that come from those who suffer from multiple personality disorder and dissociative disorders.

Please come back and visit this site, especially if you should think of any future questions. 

Thank you for your compliment on Switching Time being a contribution to science. That means a lot, not only me, but also to Dr. Baer.

Karen 

Comment by Kara Beth on October 22, 2008 8:55 pm

Karen Overhill,

Did your alters ever fool yourself? I am curious if you ever planned something and an alter came out and ruined everything? I couldn’t put your book down. It trapped me. What an inspiration you are to survive. Thank you for leaving the reader in awe!

Kara Beth

Dear Kara Beth,

Yes, my alters fooled me many times.  I would plan on going somewhere and wind up somewhere else.  Most of the time, if something needed to be done, it was done.  What the alters would interfere with was social activities that I had planned for myself, such as shopping, lunch with a friend, or trying to spend some time alone. When it came to things like my children’s schedules and activities, sessions with Dr. Baer, doctor appointments, or work, I was always on time.  My alters usually kept me organized and never late.

Thank you for your compliments, I appreciate hearing that my story has inspired you.

Karen

Comment by Bridget on October 22, 2008 6:07 pm

Dear Karen,

How are you this time of year? Halloween’s almost here, how does this holiday make you feel? What do you usually do on this holiday? Do you still live in fear, stay hidden inside or found a way to accept things for what they are? I read Switching Time months ago and it came to me about how you deal with reminders during certain holiday events since every holiday was tainted in horror including Christmas?

Stay positive, pray towards heaven but row towards shore.

Bridget

Dear Bridget,

Halloween is not exactly my favorite holiday.  I try never to think back to the Halloweens of my past and try to enjoy the cute parts of this day.  I am usually at work giving out candy from my desk to the over four hundred children that come to visit.  It’s exciting for me to see the joy in their eyes as they collect their goodies, children who have no fear and believe it’s just candy day.  Sometimes I do think back to the fun I could’ve experienced if not abused. When this happens, I try to replace these thoughts with something pleasant.

Although most holidays in my past were met with stress, they no longer are.  I am an adult now, with a more adult way of coping with clowns, skeletons, masks, etc., things that used to terrify me.

Thank you for your questions and encouraging words.

Karen

Comment by Leaf on October 22, 2008 5:22 pm

Hi Karen,

I viewed all the videos and read all reviews. Richard Baer did a great job in writing the book and you are doing a great job answering all our questions. I had a thought about your true identity. Why aren’t you visible to the public eye? Are you ashamed of who you are? Is Richard Baer ashamed of you? Us people need to see real people and you are real right? If you aren’t pretty or photogenic it doesn’t matter to anyone. Can you add a picture of yourself and of Richard Baer here?

Best of luck in your future, Leaf

Dear Leaf,

Thank you for viewing our videos, reading all our reviews and especially for your compliments on Dr. Baer’s writing and my answers.  I’ve kept my identity guarded because I didn’t wish to draw attention towards myself or my family and friends. What is important is sharing my story in hope to help others with their own personal journey.

I am not ashamed to have survived a horrific childhood nor ashamed of surviving MPD.  This is who I am.  And I believe I am a stronger woman because I am a survivor.  Dr. Baer is not ashamed of me, either.  He is proud of all that we accomplished together and never once made me feel less than the survivor I am.  And, yes, I am real.

What I look like is not important.  I am just one woman who decided to share her story.  But we’re not avoiding being more in the public eye, we just haven’t been asked to make more appearances than we already have.  For now, if you view our videos or read some of our many articles you will see a glimpse of the both of us.

Karen