Comment by Ken on 23 Oct 2010 at 10:01 am

Hello Karen,

I first would like to thank you for sharing your story. I know writing the book was more than a dual job between you and Richard Baer. I would encourage you to take credit for your part in writing it. I support the both of you for your bravery in writing a book that is very conversationable. I thought the book to be fascinating and added it to my class required reading list. My students had more to debate than I originally imagined. We spent nearly four days in intense discussion. I can’t begin to share that excitement in this brief letter. I encourage you to write more. My students gained an insight on many levels from abuse, relationships, life, death, law, parenthood and much more. Keep up the great work on your blog. Wish Richard Baer well. I am jealous of him for finding YOU. Yes, YOU, are the amazing one. Question: How did you feel upon shifting your doctor/patient relationship to business partners and friendship? Any regrets? Any advice for future authors? I can’t imagine the toll the book has taken on you. I admire you. Thank you. God speed.

Ken. Professor of Psychology

Dear Ken,

Thank you for sharing! I’m always glad to hear about the debates and conversations my story sparks. I’m amazed at how complex the brain is and how the brain can survive under extreme chaos and abuse. I believe more studies are needed. Knowledge brings forth awareness.

Thank you for encouraging me to acknowledge my part in sharing my story! That means a lot to me. I am currently writing the sequel to Switching Time in hope to bring out more of my story. I believe there is much more to be written on many different levels.

I admit, shifting our doctor/patient relationship to business partners and a respectful friendship was difficult, and at times still is. Regrets? No. I’m not sure if Dr. Baer has regrets, but I don’t. I’m saddened by some issues and happy about others. But I’m grateful that we address those issues in a timely fashion. Our relationship is unique; we share a special bond that comes from respect, trust, and long commitment.

Do I have any advice for future doctor authors when writing a book with a patient?  In my opinion, there needs to be someone to bounce off the frustrations and emotional changes when going public. The expectations that change when shifting the relationship need to be worked through. Having my story written has taken a toll on the both of us, but really no more than dealing with reality and life itself. There are good and bad times all around us, the difference is making sure we continue to communicate openly. Dr. Baer and I will always be a very important part of each other’s lives, no matter what. We continue to work together without outside help. My relationship with Dr. Baer continues to be a working relationship, which requires maintenance, discipline, and attention; the same way all good relationships do.

Thank you for your compliments and well wishes. I’m sure Dr Baer will appreciate hearing them. But please know Dr. Baer did not find me, I found him. I consider my work with Dr. Baer to heal me amazing! It was teamwork at it’s best! I could not have survived without his unconditional care and he could not treat someone like me without my help. It took not only the two of us, but seventeen alters, all working together to accomplish integration.

Wishing you all my best!

Karen

Comment by Lady Mae on Oct 23, 2010, at 6:44 PM

Dear Karen Overhill,

Despite all those who write you have you ever received emails from anyone’s alters? I am an alter and write to you because I am learning about integration from your story. You see, we as a whole may never be whole as one because of the stupidity of live television showing mpd patients and their alters that there is no need to integrate. Well, as strange as I sound my fellow alters and I are agreeing to integrate thanks to your story. We hated the thought but read how your experience made a difference. Thank you for sharing that your alters are you and you are them and that no one dies or gets destroyed. Thank you for making my system smarter. We start the process of integration of Laura’s eight alters next week. Yeah Team! Thank you Richard and Karen!

Dear Lady Mae,

Yes, I have received letters and comments from the alters of a few multiples. I answer all questions. Though I’m not a therapist, I can answer from my own personal experience. I feel privileged when I receive a message from an alter. You know how hard it is for an alter to reach out and ask a question. I find receiving such questions and comments remarkable and enlightening. Alters are just as important as the person holding them.

I have to say I am excited to hear from you. I’m in awe that you have not only written to me but accepted that you are an alter, one of many in need of information regarding integration. I believe you are the first to have asked me your question. I am proud of you for sharing with me and wanting to take the next step to help Laura become one.

My story is not a guide about how to integrate, but I’m sure you know that. It’s just my personal story of integration. I’m glad to hear you chose to read my story and believe integration will help and not hurt Laura, you and the others. Yes, you and your fellow alters will simply merge together and blend with Laura. As an alter your job has changed and it’s time for Laura to live on her own life without dissociation. Laura may not understand her need to integrate, but you do. Laura will gain your wisdom.

I’m sure you will be of great help when the time comes to integrate. Sharing with your therapist that you and the others have read my story will give your therapist a better sense of where you are.

Wishing you all my best during your journey to integrate. May you experience a sense of calm as you each merged together for Laura.

Please keep in touch!

Karen

Comment by Hebe on 16 Oct 2010 at 3:19 am

Dear Karen,

I am a university student from Hong Kong. You know what, we were talking about you in our lecture this morning and I got totally moved by your experience and that’s why now I am browsing the site and anything relating to you. I am so impressed.

I am going to read the book(s) whch is/are about you tonight. I wish you all the best in your life.

And God bless you.

Will keep you in prayer,

Hebe

Dear Hebe,

Thank you for your compliments, sharing your enthusiasm, and your best wishes! I would love to hear how your lecture went. I hope the class found the subject of multiplicity interesting. I’m glad to hear that you’ve read through some of my blog and Web site listings. Hope you found our Web site informative. There is much more information in the questions and answers here.

Please let me know if you have any future questions. I’m here to help.

Wishing you all my best!

Karen

Comment by Nabil on 15 Oct 2010 at 8:54 am

Hi Karen!

I was so moved by your story – thank you for sharing it with the world! I was curious to hear about whether or not you are still able to tell distinctly between the memories of different alters, and whether you can sense the way Holdon, for example, might still be associated with driving or Katherine with organizing your calendar?

Best wishes,

Nabil

Dear Nabil,

Sometimes I can tell there are differences in me but not in the same way as when my alters were active. I can’t explain it other than I can tell something is a bit different in the way I react to certain things. I may experience a trigger of some kind that reminds me of an alter, but I can’t attach any particular thought or feeling to one of my ex-alters. I wish I understood these moments.

For example, when I drive I may think of Holdon, but no longer feel like Holdon. When I organize something, I may think of Katherine, but never feel like I am Katherine. It doesn’t happen often, but I do at times sense a conflict between my wants and needs, but I suppose everyone feels that sometimes.  I used to feel it as a conflict between alters. Though the feeling will pass just as quickly as it appeared, it can frighten me and I wonder if I’m okay. I try to ignore the feeling knowing it’s temporary and remember with confidence that I am integrated.

Thank

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