Shirley Ardell Mason (January 25, 1923 – February 26, 1998) was an American psychiatric patient and commercial artist whose life was documented in the book and film both released under the name Sybil. The book was penned by Flora Rheta Schreiber and published in 1973. It was adapted in a made for TV movie in 1976, with Sally Field in the title role. Both the book and film used the name Sybil Isabel Dorsett to protect Mason's identity.
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Biography
Mason was born and raised in Dodge Center, Minnesota. In the early 1950s, she was a substitute teacher and a student at Columbia University. She had long suffered from blackouts and emotional breakdowns, and finally entered psychotherapy with Cornelia B. Wilbur, a Freudian psychiatrist. Their sessions together are the basis of the book. Mason later moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where she taught art classes and ran an art gallery out of her home for many years. She died of breast cancer.
Sybil
Sybil told the story of a woman (later revealed to be Mason) who was treated for multiple personality disorder (now known as dissociative identity disorder) with up to 16 co-existing personalities. The book implied that Mason suffered from the condition as a result of severe sexual abuse at the hands of her mother, whom Schreiber speculated suffered from schizophrenia.The book was turned into a movie, starring Sally Field, in 1976. In July of 2006 the 30th anniversary edition of the movie was released in a 2 DVD set that included background information and interviews with the director, stars, and friends of the real Sybil, Shirley Mason. The movie was remade with Jessica Lange as Dr. Wilbur.
Controversy
In 1998, Robert Rieber and John Jay of the College of Criminal Justice declared that Mason had not suffered from multiple personality disorder at all, but had rather been an "extremely suggestible hysteric" whom Wilbur had manipulated to secure a book deal. That position was supported by Dr. Herbert Spiegel, who briefly treated Mason while Wilbur was on vacation. [1] The case remains controversial, as Wilbur's psychiatric files are sealed, and both she and Mason are deceased.
External links
- The Art of Shirley Mason The Hidden Gallery currently runs an exhibition of Shirley Mason's art.
- Multiple Personality Controversies Links to many articles about the real Sybil, Shirley Mason.
- Sybil at the Internet Movie Database
