Week 12: Sybil (1976)

This movie is about Sybil, a girl who was not aware of her Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) while going through treatments with her psychiatrist, Dr. Wilber. This movie was based on a book which claims it as a true story about Shirly Ardell Mason. 

Although Sybil was diagnosed with 13 alternate personalities, somehow some of it was maybe related to Sybil herself. This then questions whether Dr. Wilber's diagnosis was accurate or was affected by transference or countertransference. For example, Vanessa, who is the fun side of Sybil and knows how to play the piano although Sybil has not been playing it for a while. Her musical talent may be repressed due to some factors like her abusive mother. Thus, Vanessa represents a part of Sybil which she wants to, but cannot be. Peggy. on the other hand, represents her past childhood which was dark and painful. This was because she was abused by her mother and as much as Sybil wants to forget that part of her life, the memories are still there. Hence, Peggy represents that. 

This film was a bit different than most films that I would watch because I personally would not choose a film that involves abusing parents. Although it is an important part of the movie as I believe that it impacted Sybil much, it scares me a little as I do have aunties who were abused by her husband (they have divorced) and I was there when I was a little kid. Therefore, I could somehow feel the 'pain' and it was a little too much to handle, which is why I relate to this movie a little. 

Other than that, in my opinion, this movie also reminded me of my ethics class with Dr. Wilber and Sybil's relationship. For example, she spoke to her mentor or colleague about Sybil to ask for recommendations and advice when she was in dilemma. She also even crossed the boundary to always be on standby for her a good friend. Although it could be questioned whether this could be out of Sybil's past bad relationship with her mother, thus countertransference occurs, which may be the reason why she chose to help her for years, or she is just committed to her work.

As much as Sybil played a huge part in this movie, Dr. Wilber did too. Her unconditional love towards Sybil and her other personalities were very diverse in terms of sometimes she acts like a counselor, sometimes as a friend and sometimes as her mother. Thus, this showed that although in real life we may be in a relationship with a person, the relationship can come in many forms such that my boyfriend would sometimes 'parent' me for doing something wrong, or become my best friend or counselor for me to talk about my problems and so this movie showed that. 

This film might have caused media influence to the growth of DID in 1976. This showed how impactful and 'real' the director was able to capture the progression of the disorder that caused psychologist to discuss DID. 

All in all, I think this movie was made thoughtfully and it clearly delivers the message of what a DID person goes through in a very real and authentic manner. Inserted below is a short clip of her few personalities.