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