Comment by Anonymous, M.D. on 02 Jul 2009 at 1:27 pm

Hello Karen Overhill and Richard Baer,

For doctor/patient confidentiality I will not state my name. I am the therapist of one disturbed patient who came in with a story so familiar that while discussing her case with fellow doctors one suggested I read your book. Initially I felt that your book would not be of any help. I didn’t believe in your case. I read it and changed my thoughts. Karen, My patient is copying you. Richard, My patient wants me to be you, right down to the need for a hug. Her symptons were so close to your story that as I continued on reading she had become you. I will continue to treat her. My reason for writing is to thank the both of you for allowing your story to be told. The book changed one stubborn therapist, me. I wish the both of you success. Thank you for opening one doctors eyes to the possibilities of treatment.

Anonymous, M.D.

Dear M.D.,

Thank you for sharing your story. I’m sorry to hear that your patient felt so insecure and needed to copy me.  I guess my story must have moved your patient in an unusual way. Maybe your patient just needs your undivided attention, and she wanted to be something she thought would interest you.  I’m sure now that you have read my story you can treat your patient in an appropriate way.  Since I am not a therapist, I can’t understand why a patient would go through such extremes while trying to build trust with you.  I recall Dr. Baer having thoughts as to whether what I was sharing could be true.

I am glad that you changed your mind about the illness multiplicity.  I am pleased to hear that your “stubborn” ways have softened a bit with the knowledge you recieved from reading Switching Time.  Dr. Baer was a stubborn therapist, too!  Like you, I believe Dr. Baer became a better therapist once he gained insight into how amazing the mind could really be.

It is my personal wish for all therapists to read my story and come to a better understanding of how some children could survive the horrors of child abuse.  It is my hope that there will be more awareness of true multiplicity so that the illness will be treated instead of dismissed; acknowledged instead of mocked; and accepted instead of ignored. There is much more to learn.

Thank you for all your compliments.

Karen

Comment by Keisha on 01 Jul 2009 at 6:00 pm

I am almost done reading “Switching Time”. I started it quite some time ago, but it is difficult to read (I keep thinking, “Parents are supposed to protect their children, not hurt them!”).. I have never been abused, but wanted to hug you while reading it because you needed it. I am so thankful that you found Dr. Baer. I was afraid of a not so happy ending, but once I found out that you had a blog, I knew you had found some kind of peace. Thank you for sharing your story with Dr. Baer, and I thank him for writing it. I wish you all of the happiness in the world!

Dear Keisha,

I understand how difficult reading Switching Time can be; it’s an intense journey.  I also understand your concern regarding “Parents are supposed to protect their children, not hurt them!” That is exactly why I decided it was important to share my story with Dr. Baer.  We hope that Switching Time will bring knowledge to all parents who may suspect something may not be right not only with their own children, but with all children.

In my opinion, all adults, whether a parent, caregiver, teacher, friend, acquaintance, and so on, need to pay attention to children.  There are signs that can be reconcognized if one pays attention. It is my hope that some adult’s awareness will save a child from further abuse.

I am glad to hear that you weren’t abused.  And I accept your “hug.”  Thank you!   Yes, I am grateful to have found Dr. Baer, and that he helped guide my journey to becoming one.  I believe he was God sent.  I continue to try my best to maintain peace within myself.  And it is my pleasure to help others through my blog.

Thank you for your compliments and wishes for happiness!  Dr. Baer and I truly appreciate your kinds words.

Karen

Comment by Moira Lee on 30 Jun 2009 at 11:05 am Dear Karen, Thank you Karen for writing your story. Thank you Dr. Richard Baer for providing the necessary guidance Karen needed to heal. Switching Time is very well put together. I found myself engrossed in it. While reading your journey the story became my journey. I felt right there with ya. I usually get bored with books. I love that I felt your pain not that I wanted to. But feeling what you both experienced made it all more important to understand the illness. Thank you. Moira Lee Alaska

Comment by Laurel on 30 Jun 2009 at 10:41 am Kar, Do you continue to dissociate now that your alters have integrated? Laurel