Customer Reviews

Becoming One: A Story of Triumph Over Multiple Personality Disorder

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

If you are in any kind of distress, especially if you are MPD/DID and feel isolated, labeled, and misunderstood, and as someone else wrote here about this book "can't afford 250 dollars for a therapy session" - you can get an incredible opportunity to be inspired by Howard Asher's insights, wisdom, understanding of the phenomenon of MPD/DID and the human nature by reading this book. Asher wrote the foreword to this book and was the therapist who saved the author's life. Many of the author's therapy sessions with Asher are transcribed in this book and open for the reader a wide window into Asher's therapy method, philosophy, humanity, and insights. And he is truly inspiring. You will probably never get a chance to be his patient directly, but this book gets you as close as it gets, and it's a lot.

This book gives incredible insight into the work required by both the therapist and the patient with DID. I cried for the little girls who were so brutally treated and then ignored by those who should protect, and for Sarah and her Alters as they struggled with the aspects of integration and the resulting consequences for each of them.

Becoming One is a book which reveals the internal struggles through transcripts from therapy sessions and diaries. Personal notes reveal the inside story and the wisdom gained from hindsight and the very hard work and courage that was needed to heal.

It was a lengthy search for me to obtain a copy of this book and it certainly was worth the effort. It has brought me strength as I begin my own journey, and hope which is such a necessity. I have immense admiration for Sarah Olsen for overcoming such horrors, physical and emotional pain, and for having the courage to come forth to help others. I recommend Becoming One for both therapists and for those who continue to suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder.

Sarah Olson describes the abuse she suffered in early childhood and her amazing ability to "compartmentalize" herself in the form of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). She describes each of her separate "alters" fully and one gets a sense of her "alters" as distinct "individuals." Piecing Sarah back together is like piecing a puzzle or mosaic together. Once all the pieces are in place, you are left with a beautiful image.

Sterling work.

I have read many books and articles on DID (MPD)--more than 50--this is the best I have encountered. The interspersed transcripts of therapy, the detailed (though not exploitative or sensationalized) accounts the abuse, and the thorough description of the environment which both created the need for DID and sent the double messages that sustained it are a welcome addition to the literature.

In process myself and working through much of what Sarah describes, I could only say that I feel validated and believed, and perhaps for the first time, understood, by someone else. I felt like I was reading my life in so many ways--years behind her in the process, hearing my therapist in her transcripts--it gave me hope that there is a point where things come together and it doesn't rule your life anymore. I'm thankful that she told her story and I hope that when people read her book they are able to understand the truth in what she's saying. It means a lot to be believed.

Multiple Personality Disorder (now known as DissociativeIdentity Disorder) is almost exclusively a problem acquired throughchildhood trauma - physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. Virtually all books on abuse are useless to the survivor, and especially to the male survivor - and they exist: while one girl in four is abused, one boy is seven is abused, and if it is rarer in males, it can also be more traumatic because of the "shut up and take it like a man" mentality.

The author's extensive online experience with thousands of survivors of abuse, doing peer counseling, makes her very aware of the problems of others; so many books are based on a "sample size of one," being only the author's memories, which in the case of DID, may be incomplete.

I learned a lot about my own DID from the author. Her "30 Years On" poem revealed to me, as it did to her, that *I* had been "on" for decades, doing a performance instead of simply being myself. No wonder I was tired and depressed; I didn't know who I was when I was "off."

At $50-$250/hour for therapy, this book is almost literally "worth a million" to the survivor or anyone forming a relationship with a survivor.

This book is the VERY BEST account for this disorder. She not only tells a brave, powerful, true story. She also, helps one to understand the disorder in simplier terms. This book is amazing in its detail.

While I am glad that Ms. Olsen found the courage to speak out about the effects of severe child abuse, I found this book to be one woman's meandering tyraid against practically everyone and everything in her life, past and present. It was difficult to follow and depressing...and I also have DID. I did not find it the least bit inspiring or encouraging for fellow multiples. Rather, I found it to be written in an almost self-pitying and egocentric manner.
This very well could have been a message of personal testimony coupled with inspiration and encouragement. However, the book is filled with one-sided rants that are very difficult to follow.
If you are a multiple, do not look to this book for any hope or encouragement.

I've not read the book in its entirety only skimmed through it. It's a great resource and I am glad I added it to my collection of MPD/DID resources. I am learning more and more about this diagnosis. It is more than I learned in medical school. Thanks. The book is in perfect condition and the seller is great to deal with. I highly recommend further purchases from this seller and I certainly recommend the book, especially if you are MPD/DID.

Takes you directly into the world of multiple personalities --uncompromising, highly descriptive, yet in no waysensationalized. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to know more about this oft-misunderstood area.

The author's journals, transcripts of therapy, and writing ability make this a fascinating account. Just wish that it was longer! Couldn't help think of all the material that wasn't included! This is a must read for anyone interested in the subject. Congratulations to the author!