Sybil

Sybil who was diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder(DID) was a victim to a traumatic child abuse by her schizophrenic mother.  Some of Sybal's identity was awaken only when she was being exposed to a specific stimulus. In the movie Dr Wilbur employed Freudian's psychoanalytical approach in Sybil's treatment. This can be seen when Dr Wilbur requested Sybil to draw pieces of her dreams for dream analysis. In addition to that, during a therapeutic session with Sybil, Dr Wilbur allowed Sybil to talk while she was laying on a coach with Dr Wilbur out of her sight. Hypnosis was also used as a resource to acquire greater depths of details of Sybil's hidden memories by communicating with the other dissociated identities in Sybil. Throughout the entire therapeutic process, Dr Wilbur successfully portray an unconditional positive regards towards her patient, Sybil, despite having lost patient in one or two occasions. Dr Wilbur also played a role of a nurturer to Sybil in order to gain complete trust from Sybil.  Some people argued that Dr Wilbur's therapy did not meet the ethical standards In the field of psychotherapy. However, these approaches seemed to be a success in recovering a hidden memory of Sybil's traumatic childhood with her schizophrenic mother. So whether or not a concise line should be drawn at the boundary is indeed arguable. One may argue that if there is no boundary as to how far a therapist should go, psychotherapy may go out of hand, and unethical individuals might make use of their skills to take advantages from their patient. In the contrary, others may support the fact that in special cases such as that of Sybil's, therapists should be permitted to cross the line for the sake of providing maximum assistance in helping their patient recover and live a normal life. I personally think ethical standards should be uphold with a flexibility to cross the line occasionally only when it's beneficial to the patients' recovery.

The debate surrounding whether or not DID really exist is still on a surge. The main reason behind the uncertainties of DID arises in accordance to the unusual rise in the number of reported cases of DID in counties where movie or tv shows of DID are screened. Another evidence supporting this is the rare occurrence of DID cases, in addition to Shirley Mason, a DID patient whom Sybil's story is based on, claimed to have made everything up to seek attention. As being portrayed in the movie, Sybil confessed to Dr Wilbur that she was not suffering from DID when they were about to uncover some of the deepest ends of Sybil's darkest memories. But it was just a fake confession made up by Sybil to stop Dr Wilbur from digging deeper into an untouchable memory. In real life, people who believed in DID proposed that most DID patients were victim of a early or middle childhood abuse. At such, a defense mechanism arises as a protective measures to help them cope with an unbearable disturbances. This could be a part of a more serious case of dissociative amnesia which proceeded into the development of multiple identities in its victims. I personally do not have a clear stand as to whether or not DID exist as an independent mental disorder itself or it's just story made up by victims of a combination of other mental disorders. There should be more neurological research conducted on existing DID patient in order to add on to the debate. Lastly, through my observation, putting aside biological influences, most if not all chronic mental disorder like DID and psychopathy arises from an unfulfilling and/or abusive childhood. This shows how important it is in providing children with a secure, safe and loving environment while they are growing up.