False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 01 No 08 - 1992 augsept

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated August/September 1992, focuses on the controversial topic of recovered memories of childhood abuse and the potential for these memories to be false, a phenomenon the foundation terms 'False Memory Syndrome' (FMS).

Letters and Editorial Stance

The newsletter opens with a letter from 'Dear Friends,' detailing the increasing number of calls received by the FMS Foundation from families affected by recovered memory claims. The foundation notes a significant rise in families contacting them, with over 1,132 families reporting by August 28. Many callers are parents, siblings, and spouses of individuals who have recovered memories, often of childhood incest or abuse. The newsletter expresses concern that the nation might be experiencing a 'pseudo-scientific social phenomenon' driven by therapeutic practices and books like 'Courage to Heal.' They are documenting these stories to identify patterns and provide evidence for researchers.

The foundation highlights specific types of calls received, including those from individuals claiming memories of abuse by 'space aliens,' and those seeking validation for their recovered memories. They also note a significant number of callers who believe their recovered memories are false. A positive note is shared about a situation where two people asked the foundation to contact their parents, leading to a potentially happy ending and reconciliation.

Documentation and Research

The FMS Foundation emphasizes the importance of archiving every letter, story, and news clipping received, as this material will be valuable for researchers studying the phenomenon. They request continued support from readers by sending in documentation, clearly labeled with date, location, and source. The foundation plans to publish collections of stories from parents, siblings, and spouses, requiring written permission for publication. They also invite therapists who have experienced this issue to share written material, assuring anonymity for individuals.

The newsletter expresses concern about the 'absurdity of the majority of the stories' and how they can alert reasonable people to the potential for widespread issues arising from therapies involving hypnosis, sodium amytal, dream interpretation, and 'body memories' through massage therapy.

Criticism and Concerns

A section titled 'Worried about the FMS Foundation' addresses criticism the organization faces, including accusations of harboring perpetrators. The foundation counters that its members are anonymous and questions how anyone could be harbored. They express a greater concern that such accusations might deter victims from coming forward with legitimate claims.

The newsletter acknowledges the increased societal understanding of child sexual abuse over the past decade but stresses the urgency of addressing issues that tear families apart, advocating for solutions based on scientific evidence.

Analysis of 'Believe The Children' and 'Update'

The newsletter discusses a warning issued by the 'Believe The Children' Illinois Chapter about the FMS Foundation, stating that FMS has no stance on children or believing children but is concerned about adult therapy techniques. They suggest that 'Believe The Children' should focus on issues of children's memory raised by current research, citing Dory (1991) on the suggestibility of children's recollections.

The FMS Foundation also addresses an 'attack' from The National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse (NCPCA) in their newsletter 'Update.' The NCPCA emphasizes the need for prompt and objective investigation of allegations. The FMS Foundation argues that if these procedures had been followed, they would not be receiving calls from families. They criticize the NCPCA's 'gross gratuitous assumption' about the foundation's genesis and their perceived disregard for facts.

Regarding statistics on unsubstantiated accusations, the FMS Foundation notes that 'Update' chastised them for quoting a rise from 35% to 65% since 1976. The FMS Foundation defends its position by stating that in the American justice system, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and they would gladly share information about people who have lost jobs and families due to unsubstantiated charges.

U.S. Representative Pat Schroeder's Investigation

U.S. Representative Pat Schroeder is heading an investigation into issues related to therapists' techniques. The newsletter provides contact information for those wishing to direct questions or information to her office.

The Foundation's Structure and Operations

The FMS Foundation was formally organized in March 1992 and received its tax-free public charity status in June 1992. It was funded through member dues and contributions. The foundation aims to develop a practical and theoretical base for helping those affected by the phenomenon and facilitates informal alliances of families at the state level. It has no religious or other affiliation.

The office is managed by volunteers and two part-time employees who work tirelessly to answer calls. The newsletter highlights the efforts of Anita and Zipora, who have no personal family involvement but are dedicated to helping callers. They are described as educators with backgrounds in child development, learning, motivation, and group behavior.

Volunteers and Legal Information

The newsletter includes a call for volunteers to assist with office tasks and telephone calls. It notes that volunteers are crucial, especially after media publicity led to an overwhelming number of messages. A legal information committee has been formed to gather information on the 17% of families threatened or involved in legal actions, aiming to shed light on new legal issues related to repressed memories.

Fund-raising and Anonymity

The foundation has received significant donations and is funded through contributions, stock gifts, and employer matching donations. They have not solicited individuals directly due to explosive growth and a commitment to maintaining the anonymity of members.

Personal Stories and Case Studies

Alice L.'s Story: A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to the story of Alice L., a new member who recounts her experience with false memories of child sexual abuse. She describes how, while hospitalized for depression, she was influenced by books like 'Courage to Heal' and began to develop 'sensations' and 'hallucinations' of being raped by her father. Encouraged by her psychologist and hypnotherapist, her symptoms escalated, leading to a diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder and a mental breakdown. During hospitalization, she realized her memories were likely hallucinations, and she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. She subsequently stopped litigation against her father and apologized.

Alice L.'s Questions: Alice L. also provided a list of 20 questions from 'Survivors of Incest Anonymous' (SIA), which she found could be applied to almost anyone, suggesting that SIA's claim of being able to help if one answers 'yes' to three or more questions might be too broad.

The 'Why My Child?' Question: The newsletter addresses parents' questions about how their highly educated children could fall for the recovered memory phenomenon. A hypothesis is presented that these children, often high achievers, may be particularly susceptible to therapeutic suggestions due to their capacity to understand expectations and perform well in a therapeutic setting.

'Compliant' Behavior: The newsletter suggests that when individuals are 'compliant' in a therapeutic setting, and the expectation is that sexual abuse is the cause of every ailment, these individuals may become the most abused, recovering the most memories, even bizarre ones.

Dr. Martin Orne's Hypothesis: Dr. Martin Orne has suggested that families of origin of individuals who recover memories might be described as having 'best parenting,' a hypothesis he is researching.

Tele-therapy and Societal Concerns

The newsletter discusses 'tele-therapy' and the rise of individuals offering therapy without formal qualifications. It questions the societal approval of such practices and the potential for abuse when therapists have limited information about their clients' mental states.

Sex Abuse Definitions and Statistics

The newsletter references a John Bradshaw video that defined a father saying 'You're daddy's little girl' as sex abuse, which the FMS Foundation finds trivializes the important issue of child sexual abuse. They also cite a publication from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on discrepancies in state-by-state data collection for child sexual abuse, urging for financial support for accurate data collection.

'Confabulations' Article Analysis

The article 'Confabulations: Creating False Memories Destroying Families' by Eleanor Goldstein and Kevin Farmer is reprinted. It argues that many adult children in therapy come to believe they were sexually molested, leading to severed family ties. The authors contend that while the abuse may not have happened in reality, the experience of 'confabulating' these memories with therapists, books, and groups makes the abuse feel 'real' to the individual. The article criticizes therapists who accept recovered memories without challenge, reinforcing the idea that 'family of origin' is disposable and a 'family of choice' is preferable. It also notes that therapists are creating new definitions for the mind, viewing it as a tape recorder.

The article further discusses the 'Recovery Movement' as a billion-dollar enterprise with many unqualified therapists. It highlights how therapists can create memories and encourage clients to act on them, leading to 'untold damage.' The article criticizes the pressure on state legislatures to extend statutes of limitations for crimes discovered from repressed memories and the media's acceptance of these claims. It states that most psychiatrists do not believe in repressed memories, citing David Halperin's view that trauma is hard to forget and PTSD victims cannot repress memories.

The article criticizes therapists who rely on rediscovered memories without accounting for scientific knowledge about mind and memory, which are fragmented and often contaminated by external images. It calls for a code of ethics that recognizes the rights of accused parents and warns against the dangers of passing laws that disregard these rights. Journalists are urged to critically examine claims based on repressed memories.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently advocates for a critical and scientific approach to the phenomenon of recovered memories. Its stance is that many recovered memories, particularly those of childhood sexual abuse, may be false confabulations created or amplified through therapeutic techniques. The foundation positions itself as a documentation and research organization aiming to provide a counter-narrative to what it perceives as a widespread, unscientific movement that can destroy families. It emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practices, the rights of the accused, and the need for careful investigation rather than unquestioning acceptance of recovered memories. The newsletter actively seeks to inform the public and researchers about its concerns and to support families affected by these issues.