The dissociation of a personality : a biographical study in abnormal psychology / by Morton Prince.

  • Morton Prince
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The dissociation of a personality : a biographical study in abnormal psychology / by Morton Prince. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “About three or four weeks ago Sally evolved a certain scheme . . . and on the strength of it obtained my [IV] per- mission to invite a friend to visit me for a couple of weeks, beginning the first of June. This friend, I should say, is ex- ceedingly distasteful to me [as B I], and in inviting her I [IV] realized it and knew that I was risking a great deal. I knew that it would mean constant evasion, shifting, and fencing, with always the chance of an utter break-down as [B] I. But the risk appealed to me [IV]. I craved the excitement of it, and felt, too, that knowing me as slightly as this girl does, she would not find anything very extraordinary in my behaviour, provided Sally, by threats, etc., kept me [as B I] in order. “Please do not misunderstand. Dr. Prince, and think I am blind to all the horrid side of this. I am not indeed, but only by giving it all to you can I hope to make things clear, or look for you to help me. And I need help — awfully. I am fast get- ting into the same nervous condition in which I was last year at the end of my trip with Miss K. Only this time it is worse, for it is present whether I am B I, IV, or wholly myself. Last year it was not so, I think. “The girl came, and things went smoothly enough for the first two or three days, as Sally wrote up for me [IV] at night everything that it was necessary for me to know. I [B I] did not appear at all, although I had been warned by myself [IV] in a letter of this girl’s coming and knew what was expected of me. That is, I [B I] knew that unless I did as I [IV] thought best Sally would tell me [IV] of all my shortcomings, and I [B I] would be made to repent them. But I think it was about the third day of T.’s visit there began to be difficulties. Sally refused to give up half the money as she had promised me [IV] she would do, and, not only that, she refused to answer any questions concerning it. This made it inexpressibly difficult for me. Everything T. proposed had to be vetoed while the struggle was going on. I could not walk or ride, see or be seen, meet her friends or mine, or in fact do a single thing she wished. Naturally, the girl did not understand; she felt hurt and dis- appointed, and seeing this made things ten times worse for me. I [IV] sat up all night long trying to reason with Sally. I [B I] hunted everywhere for the money. Then I [IV] fought. Sally