Switching Time

A Doctor's Harrowing Story of Treating a Woman with 17 Personalities

By: Richard Baer M.D.

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 12 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Switching Time is the first story centering on multiple personality disorder to be told by the treating physician. It is the incredible saga of a young woman stranded in unimaginable darkness who, in order to survive, created 17 different versions of herself.

In 1989, Karen Overhill walked into the office of psychiatrist Richard Baer complaining of depression. She poured out a litany of complaints, but in the disengaged way of someone who has experienced a terrible trauma. Slowly, Baer began to peel back the layers, eventually learning that Karen had been the victim of childhood sexual abuse. As time passed, though, his patient worsened and began to talk continually of suicide. Details of her abuse accumulated until he saw, via hypnosis, the true dimension of what Karen had suffered.

Baer was at a loss to explain Karen's sanity, precarious though it was, until he received a letter from a little girl, Claire. One by one, Karen's "alters" began showing themselves: men, women, young boys, a toddler, black, white, vicious, nurturing, prim, licentious. And their "stepping out" confronted Baer with the challenge of a lifetime. Somehow, to save Karen, he would have to gain the trust of her alters in order to destroy them.

©2007 Richard Baer, M.D. (P)2007 Tantor Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"An important and insightful look into the world of a multiple." (Cameron West, author of First Person Plural)
"Vivid...loaded with fascinating details... richly rewarding." (Colin Ross, author of Multiple Personality Order and The Osiris Complex)

Five stars

Narrator Lloyd James was simply amazing. His narration brought realism to such a complex and disturbing story that, under a different actor, might come across as too fantastical. He brought the experiences of Karen and the work of Dr. Baer to life in a way that they deserve. A testament to what the mind can do to self preserve.

Engrossing

I listened to this book TWICE. I was fascinated with the story, both from the point of view of the psychiatrist's thinking and from the woman's experiences in re-integrating herself. I had a hard time listening to the horrendous aspects of her childhood abuse (I turned the volume down low for those parts), but was comforted (and gratifyingly) amazed at the love and wisdom that was in the woman all along -- despite her incredibly cruel abuse -- in the guise of some of her alternate personalities. That the human brain can protect itself this way is really marvelous! It made me think about how we all have that inner wisdom inside us (how to access it is another matter). I've been thinking a lot about what I've learned from her story, and how she is just an extreme case of what all of us manifest from time to time in a lesser form. I wish that I could thank her for letting her story be told.

jaw droppingly amazing!!

AN ASTOUNDING true story that blew my mind!! If you have any interest in how the mind works this is a must read. This incredible story which was written by her doctor remains at the top of my list of 350 books in my coveted favorites category. This book shows the unbelievable capabilities of our minds, which is far beyond our wildest imaginings.If there ever was a must read- this is it. This is a sleeper blockbuster if there ever was one!!

This was never boring. What a chthisnge for her.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Certainly one of the better written books about mod that I've read.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Clare

Have you listened to any of Lloyd James’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Living hell

Any additional comments?

Great book.

MPD is real

Any additional comments?

I didn't completely believe in MPD until I heard this audio book. The shocking thing was that each personality had its own intelligence. Some of them had low intelligence and average or less than average vocabulary. Some of the personalities had a huge vocabulary and were very articulate. I don't think this could be faked. The "original" person, who was paying (or not paying) the psychiatrist was not so bright, so it was shocking to hear from very intelligent personalities within her.

While the patient was not able to pay for all her treatment, I bet the psychiatrist got even more money from the sales of this book.

Excellent!

This was one of the best books I have ever read. Multiple Personality Disorder is a fascinating topic by itself, but going on this journey with the author - the treating psychiatrist - and his patient (Karen) was a real insight into the disorder. From the opening lines to the closing epilogue, I was swept into Karen's world and felt her pain, sadness, and ultimate healing. The book is not for the faint-hearted, but well worth the time put into listening. A testiment to the human spirit.

Switching Time: a fantastic account of DID-Multiple Personality Disorder

Riveting! Amazing retelling of this very complicated disorder. Unforgettable and extremely instructive. Won’t forget this book.

A truly horrifying story.

Horrendous story but well told. Both patient and doctor are to be admired for their successful climb up through the brutal levels of hell.

Mind Blowing

I grew up with Three Faces of Eve and as a child I never really understood what multiple personality disorder meant. This book was one I could not stop listening to. The most amazing patient-doctor journey that takes this woman to the light at the end of the tunnel. The reader was so good that I actually felt I knew each personality and as Karen became more 'whole' I cried when each of the alters had to be integrated into this woman in order for her to become who she was meant to be. Amazing simply amazing a must listen. A++

Amazing

Amazing detailed account of a Doctors work with a patient with D.I.D. The book drew me in from the very start and kept my attention until the very end. It was hard to put it down once I started this book so I ended up finishing it over a day and a half. Will definitely listen to this one again.

The performance was well done and it soon became easy to even tell the distinctive voices of each alter.