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)

So sad, but so interesting

Wow- to be brief, if you're interested in the mind, psychology, multiple personalities, depression or people in general, you will probably find this hard to put down.
Having said that, if you don't like to hear about terrible things happening to people in a truly sadistic and disgusting manner (although compared to the violence we see on the news, TV and movies in general, it's probably not that shocking), then I might consider passing.
I can't stand violence, and to hear some of the things that happened to this poor woman made me sick to imagine, but it also made me truly understand her, and perhaps some other people out there who just don't seem to be with it. The reading was excellent. And the questions the book raised about the mind, at least to me, makes me wonder much more about what our minds are capable of, in both positive and negative aspects.
Highly recommended, but beware the more empathetic- it will hurt.

This book is a must read!

I know someone who may have this and this was an amazing introduction to the disorder and it was captivating from the very beginning. I would start listening and I had to force myself to press pause. Lloyd James does an amazing job at navigating an amazing book. I appreciate being able to follow the entire journey from beginning to diagnosis to repair and remission. This book is one I am so happy I bought and this will not be the last time I listen to it!

Overwhelming read! Impeccable narration!

This book was very well written and very immersive. Informative and insightful. I enjoyed delving into Dr Baer's perspective and thoughts at each turn. It was heart-wrenching throughout but something more people need to know. The narrator was great, he managed all of the voices so well.

Unbelievable

When Karen wakes up suddenly after giving birth, she is disoriented and unsure who she is or what to do. She recognizes no one. So begins a path for Karen that ultimately reveals who she is and why she 'loses' time.

The childhood of this brave woman is stolen from her and was so horrific she had to create 17 personalities to deal with the abuse. The sad thing is that so many people were involved, including those closest to her who should have been her protectors. Dr. Baer does an excellent job of telling Karen's story and details it pretty much as it unfolded for him. There are not many parts that are out of order and it is rewarding to see the progress made by this woman. I particularly liked the way he said he didn't know when he didn't know or was stuck or baffled by Karen's behavior. I also liked the way he let Karen lead the way when it came to reintegrating her personalities.

There is much insight and grace in this listen. I wish the best for Karen and her children. I hope she lives in peace today.

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.