Customer Reviews

First Person Plural: My Life As a Multiple

5 star:		(162)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

Its hard to say this. But this book definitely tells it like it is. Multiplicity is something that is scary to outsiders, and even fascinating, but the underlying factor is the fact that there are children out there being abused everyday, to the point where they can't handle their lives, and split off a part of themselves in order to save what they have of their existence.I know. We have it. DID is something that isn't a game, it's not a fun stage show. There's no way to explain how you went to the grocery store and walk out with $50 worth of candy. Or how hard buying a simple DRESS is, since everyone has their favorite color, style, fabric, and dollar amount, and the marathon arguments that consume time and energy. Or what to eat. It is hard to get monominds (those who are not DID) to understand. They see us as having three heads or something. We think maybe writing here would help us because people just dont understand that it's REAL. It's not a game, it's not a joke, and the hardest thing to accept is that we have this because there are some people in the world who think its right to hurt a kid. And it's not. We know that now. The switching is hard to deal with. Imagine sitting in the store and suddenly, oh no "POOH BEAR! " shouts out of your mouth. Everyone turns. Looks. I smile and try to act like I heard it too and dont know where it comes from. That's one of the better less embrassing quirks of having this disorder. I hope there are therapists reading this because we have been turned down by several, saying that the insurance we have is not worth the trouble, and especially NOT the diagnosis. We thank Cam West very very much for writing this book, which is nothing like Sybil, or any of the others. We know other DIDers who agree that this book tells it like it really is. It's not debilitating, it's not a game, it's real. Its not something I'm embrassed to talk about either. We're people in here. Created for a reason. With a purpose. For a sick reason, but that makes us no less real. It's also not as RARE as they say it is. Sadly enough. It's not as rare, and we thank Cam West for the effort and strength to write this book. Both for those of us who know we have it, and those who are afraid to say it.

This book is one i wanted to read for research on a novel I've had in progress for a while now. Cameron West tells his story, first-hand, of the onset of his Dissociative Identiy Disorder. Shocking, disturbing, upsetting, facinating, so many adjectives to describe it. West recounts how his wife of several years reacted to his multiplicity, how they raised their small son after the DID-onset, the harrowing details of several hospitalizations, and how, in the midst of it all, he managed to get his PhD in psychology.

A couple of caveats: West is not the best writer. The book is peppered with inspired and creative metaphors/similes (another reviewer hated them, but i found them fun--evidence of West's silly nature sometimes), but the actual style is a bit kludgy (and this shouldn't be written off as "oh, well, he's a multiple, what do you expect;" i blame his editor). There are also some subjects that he only barely touches on that I, as a reader, wanted to know more about--he talks a lot about denial, but doesn't ever analyze his initial denials of his multiplicity to any extent (this, i think you can blame on his condition, probably). He mentions a visit to an inept therapist inexperienced in dealing with multiples, but doesn't talk much about the repercussions of it, it's just presented and moved-on-from. He also presents a number of scenes in his wife's life that he simply wasn't present for, and it's hard to buy his narrative voice in those sections. I think the book would have benefited from a secondary author--large sections in his own words, with third-person sections as well--a second, cohesive, structural voice. (No joking here--after reading the book, i think he probably should have collaborated with the alter-personality he refers to as Per.)

If you are skeptical about the validity of the disorder, this book probably won't convince you--it's not written as a justification of the "reality" of the condition. It's a memoir.

All in all, an interesting book and a great resource for first-hand experience with the onset of a disorder most ppl know very little about, or have tons of misconceptions about.

I am a man with DID and I found this book insulting to those who truly suffer from its effects. The book was written with an attempt to read like a novel. The author obviously fills in many trivial events with specluations. Since the Mr. West was NOT co-conscious for much of the book, he fills in the missing details with fluff and extremely poor writing. The book is easy to read since it was written on a 5th grade level. My eleven year old could easily sit down and read this. The constant swearing and profanity left me baffled as to why the author decided to insert offensive language. It didn't further the plot or define himself. If it was an attempt to show the reader that he was a tough guy dealing with DID, it missed the mark since he spends most of the book refusing to take any responsibility for his actions, his family, and his diagnosis of DID.

The author spends most of his energy attempting to create a gripping story around his DID which falls flat in many of its 300 pages. Not only are his sessions not realistic, but he paints his DID as debilitating deciding that he cannot work or take care of his family or even his young son. The wife decides to work and puts the son in day care so that the father does not have to do anything but lay around with a blanket and toys and moan. In truth, people with DID get up in the morning, dress, go to work, make dinner, help with homework, fix the plumbing, etc. This is not an accurate portrayal of someone with DID. Life with DID is hard and devastating, but DID is not an excuse to quit life. Instead, all of life's responsibilities actually helps the person with DID to be in the present.

I found the therapy techniques in this book more consistent with DID therapy than in Fractured Mind. However, Mr. West was not able to find a therapist who gave him the dose of reality that he needed until the last few chapters. The first therapist never encouraged Mr. West to be present or taught him the skills he needed to be present and function as an adult. This obviously gave Mr. West the green light to whine and whimper through most of the book. At the end of the book I became very concerned about Mr. West entering the field of psychology and leading others down the his distorted path of healing.

In short, I find the book poorly written with a great amount of offensive language, a contrived storyline with an abundance of holes, and an inaccurate portayal of someone who struggles with DID. I am concerned that readers of this book will assume that there is important information within the pages that will help them. It will only assist the reader in becoming more confused about the disorder.

The Dissociative Identity Disorder Source Book is still the best book that will help anyone learn about what DID is and how to deal with it. Energies should be spent reading viable material that will explain, teach and help those with DID and their support. Please do not get sucked in by the media hype and the over effulgent swooning of others who obviously have dealt very little with DID. For respect of those who daily brave the storm of DID, do NOT buy this book. You've been warned.

One of the most enlightening and thoroughly enjoyable read this year! First Person Plural serves as a beckon of hope for those living with Dissociative Identity Disorder. It provides insight into the inner workings of the dissociated self, while captivating the reader with the reality of day to life as a multiple. In reading this book, I'm reminded of the number of people I've encountered whose behavior, in retrospect, could have been attributed to DID. The homeless woman pushing her cart and engaged in full conversation with an invisible friend; the elder uncle who rambles constantly to an audience of himself. Chances are, at some point, these individuals had some contact with the mental health professionals; I can't help but wonder if they were equipped to recognize the symptoms of DID or did they simply medicate and dismiss without further investigation. Its my hope that by publishing his life experience, West will draw attention to a mental illness that is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. The fact that he is able to work through this condition, perservere to obtain a doctorate in psychology, and write a powerfully candid book is a testament to the strength of the human soul. When wrapped in the cloth of love and acceptance, the human soul is indeed unbreakable. My highest regards to Dr. West, may God bless and care for you and your guys.

I cannot say how much I disliked this book. Not only did it seem completely made up, but the writing was extremely sophomoric. I'm sure someone out there has the same tale to tell and probably more experience in writing. The author seemed very narcissitic(i.e. constant descriptions of his cars and his clothes). The only reason why I kept reading was because I was hoping it would get better. I did, however,enjoy how he blamed his "personalities" for his extra-marital affairs. I really didn't care for this book. It didn't tell me anything interesting about DID that I didn't know already.

This is one of those books that makes you stare at the New York Times bestseller list and wonder how a book so badly written, so full of pseudo-science, so...lame, could possibly make the list.

From the endless mentions of the brands of his and his wife's clothing to the excruciatingly purple prose to the oh-so-perfect cinematic unfolding of this story, this book was a disaster. A combination of Robert James Waller and John Gray.

I bought this book hoping for an interesting and not too challenging read for a long flight. I certainly got 'not too challenging.' Mr. West has got my respect for getting a quick trip to Hollywood. He certainly had Robin Williams in mind for the lead when he wrote the book. I feel like a fool for spending my hard earned cash on this nonsense. Not only transparent, but written like an amateur without an editor.

First, Oprah warned that the book reads like fiction, but it isn't. I find that real hard to believe. His, West's verbose details of events that he wasn't even there prove this--example when "Rikki" and her friend, "Tanya" are at the restaurant having margarita's and nachos. West went into vivid detail explaing the surroundings-- If West would cut out the insignificant menusha (i.e. "Fillers") of details that leaves the reader asking "and your point is"--the book would make up maybe a good magazine article in Vanity Fair, Esquire, et al.

This book, diminishes those that truly do suffer from "DID". It truly is hard to believe that in his state of mind, given the fact his wife has a degree in Psychology, and supposedly worked with children--she wouldn't know how to refer her husband to a licenced Psychiatrist!! Moreover, when West decides to call up a psychologist, from the Yellow Pages, she was able to diagnose him immediatly---It became clear to the reader, that "Arly" had seen "Sybil", or "The Three Faces of Eve" one too many times--Oh, and the fact that Arly couldn't recommend a psychologist in California (of all places), yet gives West the international association of DID suffers--c'mon!!

I question the monetary motives behind West!! 1) Get on the Oprah show - equals automatic, 2) Bestseller; and 3) Of course, the Movie rights(which none other than, the infamaous Robin Williams already has bought---the book, the movie = megabucks.

Too bad, because there are truly some people out in the world that are affected by "DID"--and the book diminishes the consequences of the disease. Pitiful!!!!!

There are so many implausible and ludicrous details in this story that anyone with even minimal psychologial acuity would question the authenticity of it. It was obviously written to be filmed. It may be true that the author has suffered abuse and has DID. Raising awareness about child abuse and psychiatric disorder is always valuable. However, the details in this story are absurd.

I found it difficult to get through this book not because of the subject matter but because it all seemed so unreal. A lot of it seemed fictionalized and at times exaggerated. For example, when Cam drives to a convenience store in California and he starts spacing out at the cliche tough guy clerk, he switches to another personality who is supposedly tougher than the clerk, and then, according to his account, the clerk backs down. I'm having a hard time believing that. I've seen this guy on TV, and even if he wanted to portray himself as Mr. Macho, I don't think he could. This book reads like fiction, so it's hard not to confuse this with fiction. With all the references he made to the movie "Sybill", I would have to say that the movie was much better at identifying and dealing with the issue of multiple personalities than this book was. It was much more interesting also. However, I do admire him for confronting this issue. If all this is true, he is a very brave man, and I hope it inspires others to confront their own demons.