HUMAN FREAK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 260, 3 November 1931, Page 7

HUMAN FREAK.

WOMAN'S SEVEN CHARACTERS

LONDON, October 28. . A woman with seven personalities, each ignorant of the other's actions, each evocable at any time, and all differing in. habits, even in handwriting, is described in the "Lancet," by Dr. R. M. Riggall. She is 37 years of age, and is unmarried. She complained of complete lapses into unconsciousness, in which she found someone acting antagonistically toward her. Investigation showed that the personalities were: herself, or Mabel — a strict Roman Catholic, idealistic and generally unhappy; second, Miss Dignity, did all in her power to hurt Mabel; third, Biddy—bright, laughing and helpful; fourth, fifth and sixth, Hope, Faith and Dame Trot —all harmless and appearing seldom; seventh, Miss Take, sonamed because when she first appeared she said she did not know her name, and added, "I am just a mistake." Miss Dignity's . antagonism consisted of tearing up Mabel's clothing and money, and throwing away her jewellery. Once she destroyed so much money that Mabel was forced to live on bread and a cup of tea daily; Apparently this provided an outlet for Mabel's repressed wishes.

Dr. Riggall, employing physchoanalysts, partially succeeded in fusing the personalities, except Miss' Dignity, who continually resisted his attempts to destroy that personality.