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Multiple personality disorder has reemerged in psychiatry and has brought along a multiplicity of perplexing issues. I deeply appreciate Dr. Lyon's presenting such a marvelous case. Dr. Lyon immersed herself in the therapeutic task, tolerated and used her countertransference, struggled with the confusing aspects of the case, in short—made a heroic effort. If the therapeutic result was disappointing and we are left with many questions, Dr. Lyon's report is so clear and well articulated that it provides us with a great deal of valuable material for discussion.
I shall be discussing this case from an agnostic viewpoint. What I mean is I am not going to use the case as a vehicle to illustrate certain principles I already know and understand. Rather, I am going to look at it to see what we can learn from the patient and her treatment. To call this an “agnostic viewpoint” may seem inappropriate. After all, we are referring to the clinical science of psychiatry, not religion. Unfortunately, one of the most vexing issues surrounding MPD is just this: that within psychiatry, there are camps of true believers and nonbelievers in MPD. Each has its own agenda, and neither really wants to hear the other's point of view.
For the majority of clinicians who have little or no training or experience with MPD, this dichotomy creates a difficult situation,