The Minds of Billy Milligan

When Billy was a month old, he was rushed to the hospital because of a growth blocking his esophagus that obstructed his breathing and swallowing; hospital visits marked his first year of life.

During this time, Billy’s father, Johnny Morrison, a musician and comedian, was going through a rough patch and struggling to find work. After Billy’s younger sister, Kathy was born, Johnny’s troubles worsened, and the medical expenses for Billy’s treatment were burdensome. Johnny was hospitalized for alcoholism and depression, and when he returned home for his older son Jim’s fifth birthday, he overdosed on alcohol and sleeping pills. During the subsequent days, Johnny was in the hospital, and Dorothy was too tense and worried to play with Billy. Whenever he was bored or lonely, he went to sleep and “Christene” emerged.

Even after Johnny returned from the hospital, his condition didn’t improve. Shortly after Kathy turned three, Johnny died by suicide and left a long letter berating Dorothy. Dorothy and the children changed homes to throw the loan sharks off their trail, and she eventually remarried her ex-husband, Dick Jonas.

When Billy was five, he accidentally broke a cookie jar and, terrified of punishment, went to sleep. “Shawn,” who was hearing impaired, opened his eyes and wondered why Dorothy was angry with him.