Comment by Lorraine on 23 Mar 2010 at 10:00 am

Dear Karen,

I read Dr Baer’s book (”A Life in Pieces” in Australia).

I’m afraid that my initial reaction was irritation about his response to a person he assumed was ONLY? suffering from depression, and thereafter the effect your lack of money and urgent needs made on HIS life.

The result of this is that it made your story read like fiction.

I know people who suffer from long term depression, and people (some the same ones) who suffered sexual abuse when young (although not to the same extent as yours).

I don’t think the book does justice to your suffering. Have you considered doing one of your own?

Dear Lorraine,

There are many misconceptions regarding Dr. Baer’s apparent lack of empathy early on. Dr. Baer cared for me unconditionally for over eighteen years during the dark period of my life when no one else would have. I was suicidal, had no strength, lacked faith, and needed Dr, Baer to help me. Remember, Dr. Baer is a psychiatrist and did what all psychiatrists should do, listen intently without judgment or emotion.

I admit Dr. Baer’s initial lack of interest upset me. But I ignored it, mostly because I wanted to die anyway and no one, including Dr. Baer, could have changed that. For years, he was a blur before my eyes, with a kind, soothing, and compassionate voice. He was someone who listened without saying much and I became comfortable in his presence. As we built a relationship, I started to take notice of who he was; I acknowledged, respected, and trusted him to accompany me on my journey. I believe Dr. Baer was God sent and that my healing under his care was meant to be. We worked hard together to heal me.

I can see how reading my story appears fictional at times, but sadly it’s true, all of it. Dr. Baer and I agreed to share the truth of our journey to provide understanding of my illness: multiplicity. I wish I could say it’s fiction, but I can’t.

To clear things up regarding the payment issue, for most of my treatment, Dr. Baer was paid by my husband’s medical insurance. What became past due were the amounts not paid by our insurance benefits. Every bonus my husband received went to Dr. Baer to catch up with what I owed.  After my divorce, I no longer could keep up and Dr. Baer stopped charging me the balance not paid by insurance, and then stopped charging me altogether. Dr. Baer was paid, just not in full. Insurance companies never pay 100% for psychiatric treatment. Later, once I was on disability for my condition, Dr. Baer took what Medicare paid.

For me, surviving multiplicity also included trying to comprehend money, how to live, and pay my overwhelming medical bills. I am grateful Dr. Baer forgave some of the money he was due for treating me.  For him, I think continuing what we’d started was more important than the money.

Switching Time (or A Life in Pieces, the version printed in Great Britain) was written from Dr. Baer’s point of view. My personal experience and journey was more spiritual and heartfelt. I have considered writing my own version and I have many pages already written. My journey includes Dr. Baer, but Switching Time could not possibly have been written in the way my heart would have wanted to share it.   Dr. Baer saw my alters in a way that I never could, but I knew them from within, and it’s my knowledge of them that still needs to be shared.

Thank you for believing a sequel is possible. Thank you for caring.

Karen