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)

A Crazy Read

What did you love best about Switching Time?

It engrossed me and appalled me because of the levels of human depravity and compassion.

What did you like best about this story?

The relationship between the doctor and patient was complex.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Lloyd James?

I suppose so. It was done fairly well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. It was too brutal at times to want that.

Any additional comments?

Only read this book if you have the stomach to relive the protagonist's miserable past.

interesting

Would you consider the audio edition of Switching Time to be better than the print version?

With subject matter such as this it is helpful to cover it in audio to grasp the characters especially with a larger number.

What did you like best about this story?

I found it realistic to know what the professional was thinking and feeling about his patient
as their therspitic relationship developed.

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

I don't believe I have.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I enjoyed it a bit everyday.

Amazing strength

I was mesmerized by this story. Many of the details are just impossible to stomach but Karen's strength and resourcefulness is inspiring.

Unbelievable, heartbreaking and eye openner

Being a student for psychology and counselling, I believe, Dr. Bard has used every proper technique to help his client and I have learnt from it. This story is unimaginable, all about surviving. Recommended for anyone who think they are having a hard time in life. Thank you for sharing this story.

If you can listen to the worst type of abuse without being affected this is an amazing survival story.

I really liked this book. It had me on the edge of my seat and this is a very true story. I learned a lot more about DID which is what I was looking to do. And it just cemented how miraculous the human psyche is.

Facinating!!!!

This book was amazing. Although, yikes the descriptions of her childhood are very graphic and very disturbing. However, here's a note, most of the really graphic stuff occurs in Chapter 3, I belive, titled "childhood horrors" or something. You can easily skip that chapter and still know what she went through without as much detail through descriptions at other times. I thought I was pretty thick skinned growing up in the horror movie and action flick era that we're in now, but I couldn't take that chapter. It made me ill. The rest of the book though, Fabulous. So interesting and informative about the life of someone with MPD. I was addicted to this book. Listening at every chance I got.

Fascinating!

The power of healing, overcoming, and loving of self is breathtaking. A must read/listen!

a great book

I loved the book the true story of multiples is an interesting subject for me

Very interesting listen

Would you listen to Switching Time again? Why?

I probably will listen to this book again. I think that there is a lot that could be missed in the first listen that I will probably try to catch next time around.

What does Lloyd James bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was amazing. He switch voices seamlessly and really made each of the personalities really come to life. You can really tell a difference and feel the emotions of each one.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole story was very moving. It is a very sad story and does speak a lot about child abuse and sexual abuse in a very extreme manner. If you don't have the stomach for that kind of thing then do not listen to this book. If you are interested in psychology or the coping mechanisms of people who deal with extreme abuse then this is a very good book for you. I felt so sad for Karen throughout the whole story and honestly can't bear to think too hard about the fact that this is supposed to be a true story. It is just too sad that this kind of thing happens in the world.

Any additional comments?

It is amazing to me the pain that some people can live through. I just want to emphasize again that this book is not for those who have a weak stomach but it is very encouraging to hear about someone who lived and moved past such a hard life. This book was so interesting to me that I could not stop listening. I think I finished it in 3 days which is pretty good for a 15 hour book.

Amazing Story

This subject interested me and I was amazed at how each moment captured my attention. I was so touched how this story was true for a young lady who was a victim of her environment but came through the best she could handle. My hat is off to you Dr. Baer for your years of commitment and compassion with this doctor/patient relationship in doing what is best for the patient. I understand now how someone with multiple personalities deals with life's toughest challenges and how our mind develops safety nets to get us through. Wow! I am honored to have experienced this audible book.