Doctor/Patient Ethical Lapses Revealed in Book Exploring Landmark Case of Dissociative Identity Disorder
“The Control of Eve,” Describes Abuse and Exploitation of the Real Eve, Chris Costner Sizemore, by Her Psychiatrist
DALLAS, April 4, 2017 – Psychiatrist and author Colin A. Ross, M.D. tells a harrowing tale of patient abuse and boundary violations in the book, The Control of Eve: The True Story Behind the Three Faces of Eve (ISBN: 978-0-9815376-9-6). The book examines one of the 20th century’s most famous cases: the dissociative identity disorder of Chris Sizemore, the true-life subject of the bestselling book and 1950s box office smash, “The Three Faces of Eve.”
Sizemore, who cooperated with Dr. Ross in his research for the book and a documentary film about dissociation, passed away in mid-2016. She was 89.
Dr. Ross presents a documented account of systematic patient abuse, betrayal and exploitation committed by Dr. Corbett Thigpen – the person who originally diagnosed Sizemore with Multiple Personality Disorder – and his associate, Dr. Hervey Cleckley.
“At different times (Dr. Thigpen) functioned as her psychotherapist, publicist, literary agent, film agent, book editor, contracts negotiator and legal adviser,” Dr. Ross wrote. “He attended her husband’s funeral uninvited, was her son’s godfather and engaged in sexual misconduct with her. He arranged for her to have an abortion, and during the procedure she was sterilized without her or her husband’s consent.”
Examples of unethical behavior over five decades are many. For instance, in 1953, Dr. Thigpen arranged for Sizemore to sell her lifetime story rights to him and Dr. Cleckley so they could author, “The Three Faces of Eve.” The two doctors paid Sizemore just $3 – one dollar for each personality. Following the book’s success, Dr. Thigpen arranged for Sizemore to sign away movie rights for $7,000. A more conventional deal with royalties would have been worth millions, and Dr. Ross examines the clear conflict of interest of psychiatrists exploiting their patient for their own financial and professional gain.
Dr. Ross also warns that the patient abuse he uncovered in the Sizemore case may not be unique. Victims of childhood trauma, some of whom manifest dissociative identity disorder as a defense and coping mechanism, often are abused later in life. Sometimes, trusted professionals, including those in the mental health field, abuse their patients’ trust for their own gain, prolonging the trauma.
The Control of Eve: The True Story Behind the Three Faces of Eve lists for $18.95 (digital list price $6.99) and is available through Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Control-Eve-Story-Behind-Three/dp/0981537693. Download a high-resolution image of the book jacket at www.dpkpr.com/files/654/.
See video on this subject at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZnIVtTAh_0.
About the Author
Colin A. Ross, M.D. is the author of over 200 papers in professional journals, most of them dealing with dissociation, psychological trauma and multiple personality disorder. He is a Past President of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. For more information about Dr. Ross and the Colin A. Ross Institute for Psychological Trauma, visit www.rossinst.com.