False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 02 No 01 - 1993 jan

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated January 8, 1993, Vol. 2 No. 1, is dedicated to exploring the complex phenomenon of False Memory Syndrome (FMS) and its profound impact on families. The newsletter aims to bring the issue to the attention of the mental health community and provide support and understanding to those affected.

Letters and Support

The newsletter begins by thanking readers for their letters and support, acknowledging the devastating effects of FMS and the strides made in bringing the issue to light. A quote from a reader expresses gratitude for saving their lives, indicating the profound distress caused by the phenomenon. The FMSF plans to study the stories and letters to understand how families have coped with the ongoing nightmare, focusing on the anxiety, anger, and heartbreak experienced.

Understanding FMS and Therapy

The FMSF intends to share frameworks for understanding the "cult-like" thinking that may be associated with personality changes in children who have acquired memories. In 1993, their efforts will focus on understanding how reconciliations between accusers and accused may occur. The newsletter highlights that the term "False Memory Syndrome" was not widely used until 1992, and the FMSF is compiling articles on the subject. The number of families seeking help is increasing, leading to a need for larger office space.

Addressing Critics

The "Our Critics" section addresses various accusations leveled against the FMSF, including being a PR front for perpetrators, being part of a satanic conspiracy, being supported by insurance companies, being against feminism, and being connected to the pornography industry. The newsletter refutes these claims, explaining their public charity status, the fact that approximately one-third of accusations are against mothers, and their stance against child pornography. They question the notion of victimhood as the sole lens for viewing life and emphasize the importance of personal responsibility.

Legal Case: Daughter's Lawsuit

A significant portion of the newsletter details a personal legal battle where the parents were sued by their thirty-five-year-old daughter, who alleged sexual child abuse, satanic rituals, murder, and drug abuse based on recovered repressed memories. The newsletter chronicles the legal process, the involvement of multiple attorneys and insurance companies, and the eventual dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice. This case serves as an example of the extreme consequences of FMS accusations and the complexities of legal defense.

Case Studies of Reconciliation

The newsletter presents several case studies illustrating different paths to reconciliation, or the lack thereof. These include:

• Family 1 (Alberta Report): A story about a Canadian letter carrier whose theft was attributed to post-traumatic stress disorder from childhood sexual abuse. The arbitrator ruled for her reinstatement, highlighting the link between past trauma and current behavior.
• Family 1 (Part 2 - What happened next?): A mother and daughter meet with the daughter's therapist, with the mother feeling the therapist was unprofessional. Despite underlying tensions, a family celebration brings the extended family together, though some siblings remain angry.
• Family 2 (Part 2 - What happened next?): A daughter, after therapy, shows signs of recovery and growing past her therapist. The family is cautiously optimistic, noting her apparent return to a healthier state.
• Family 3 (Part 2 - What happened next?): Reunion plans are initially called off but later reinstated. The family takes advice from a psychiatrist to be more sympathetic to their daughter's perspective, acknowledging her pain and expressing love.
• Reconciliations (General): The newsletter discusses informal reconciliation processes, noting that some families have reunited without therapist intervention. They highlight that these are not always "happily ever after" stories but represent progress.

Perspectives on Abuse and Memory

Columns by Thrity Umrigar explore different perspectives on abuse stories, questioning whether a father's actions or a therapist's influence is responsible for family breakdown. The newsletter also delves into the concept of "tampering with memory," citing research by Ray Hyman and Elizabeth Loftus, who demonstrate how easily memories can be implanted or influenced. The complexity of distinguishing true from false accusations is emphasized, noting that there is no reliable profile for victims or abusers.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently emphasizes the controversial nature of "repressed memories" and the potential for therapeutic suggestion to create false memories. The FMSF's stance is to document cases, analyze patterns, and provide information to help families understand and potentially reconcile. They advocate for a critical approach to memory claims, urging caution and the consideration of alternative hypotheses. The editorial stance is one of support for families affected by FMS, aiming to provide resources and foster understanding while challenging what they perceive as unscientific or harmful therapeutic practices. The newsletter also highlights the importance of legal and insurance aspects related to FMS cases.

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: January 8, 1993
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter features a prominent article by Carol Tavris, "Beware the Incest-Survivor Machine," which critically examines the popular trend of interpreting many adult problems as symptoms of repressed childhood sexual abuse. The newsletter also includes announcements for upcoming FMS Foundation conferences and local meetings.

"Beware the Incest-Survivor Machine" by Carol Tavris

This article, originally appearing in The New York Times Book Review, critiques the "incest-survivor machine"—a phenomenon driven by self-help books and certain therapeutic practices that encourage individuals to view a wide range of life difficulties as evidence of past sexual abuse, often relying on the concept of "repressed memories."

Tavris begins by presenting a checklist from Ellen Bass and Laura Davis's book "The Courage to Heal," designed to identify incest symptoms. She argues that the checklist is too general and could apply to almost anyone, suggesting that the "bible of the incest-recovery movement" and similar books (like those by Wendy Maltz, Beverly Holman, Beverly Engel, and E. Sue Blume) tend to frame almost any problem as an indicator of abuse.

The author highlights the polarization surrounding the issue of child sexual abuse, with one side focused on protecting children and the other on protecting adults from false accusations. She notes that both sides often use anecdotal horror stories as evidence.

Tavris questions the validity of "reawakened" memories, citing the work of psychologists like Jean Piaget and Nicholas P. Spanos. Spanos's research suggests that suggestion-induced reports, particularly under hypnosis, should not be treated as factual accounts of events. Tavris explains that memory is not a fixed recording but a reconstructive process, influenced by current beliefs, discussions, and suggestions. She points to studies by Elizabeth Loftus and others demonstrating how false memories can be implanted.

The article criticizes the "abuse-survivor books" for offering simplistic explanations for complex problems, often defining healing solely as the realization of past victimization. Tavris argues that this narrative can lead individuals to focus exclusively on past abuse, neglecting present-day issues and responsibilities. She uses Betsy Petersen's "Dancing With Daddy" as an example of how a survivor narrative can explain nearly every aspect of an adult's life as a consequence of childhood trauma.

Tavris contrasts the popular "survivor narrative" with the work of researchers like Robert A. Baker and Judith Lewis Herman, who explore the complexities of trauma and memory with more nuance. She points out that many abuse-survivor books rely on each other's work, creating an echo chamber where unvalidated statistics and claims become widely accepted.

The article concludes by suggesting that contemporary incest-survivor books encourage a "language of victimhood and survival" that can be temporarily soothing but ultimately does little to challenge systemic issues or promote broader social change, as it places the burden of resolution solely on the individual.

FMS Foundation Conference: Memory and Reality: Emerging Crisis

Details are provided for the FMS Foundation Conference, scheduled for April 16-18, 1993, at the Valley Forge PA Convention Center. The conference is described as a "Memory and Reality: Emerging Crisis" event, featuring an academic conference followed by a convention. It will include invited research presentations, additional papers, and a panel of "recanters" (individuals who recant previous testimony), with concurrent sessions on topics relevant to families.

Hotel accommodation information is included, listing several hotels near the convention center with special discount rates. The Sheraton is highlighted as the primary hotel, with others like Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Marriott, Guest Quarters Suite, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Howard Johnson's, Ramada Inn, and Stouffer also available.

Meetings and Notices

This section announces upcoming meetings for "Professionals and Parents in Support of the FMS Foundation." Information for placing notices in the February column is requested by January 25th. Specific meetings are listed:

• Seattle, Washington: January 16, 1993, with contacts Chuck and Phil.
• Arizona Area: February 6, 1993, featuring Pam Freyd as Guest Speaker. Contact Jim.
• New England Area: February 7, 1993, at Clark University. Contact Joe for directions.
• New York Area: Sunday, February 7, 1993, featuring Eleanor Goldstein, author of "Confabulations," as Guest Speaker. Contact Eileen.
• Philadelphia Area: Second Saturday of each month, with the next meeting on February 13. Contact the office for details.
• Columbia, Missouri: February 20, 1993, from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM, featuring Pam Freyd as Guest Speaker at the Holiday Inn Executive Center. Reservations are recommended by February 10th.

Researcher Request

Martha L. Rogers, Ph.D., is seeking "therapy letters" written to relatives by individuals suffering from memories of abuse. The goal is to analyze these letters to understand the range, nature, and extent of alleged sexual abuse. Participants are asked to provide a return mailing address and phone number if interested in assisting with this research.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme in this issue is the critical examination of the "false memory" and "incest survivor" movements, particularly as propagated through popular self-help literature and therapeutic practices. The FMS Foundation Newsletter appears to advocate for a more cautious and evidence-based approach to memory and trauma, questioning the widespread acceptance of repressed memories and "pseudomemories." The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards the uncritical embrace of survivor narratives and a call for rigorous psychological research, as exemplified by the featured article by Carol Tavris. The newsletter also serves as a platform for disseminating information about FMS Foundation activities, including conferences and local support group meetings.