False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 02 No 03 - 1993 mar

Magazine Overview

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: March 5, 1993
Volume: Vol 2 No 3
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country of Publication: USA
Language: English

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter focuses on the complex and controversial topic of repressed memories, particularly in relation to accusations of childhood sexual abuse. It highlights an upcoming conference, discusses legal cases, and raises concerns about therapeutic practices and the scientific validity of recovered memories.

Memory with a Grain of Salt: The FMSF Conference

The newsletter announces the upcoming FMSF Conference, "Memory and Reality: Emerging Crisis," featuring an invited address by Ulric Neisser, Professor of Psychology at Emory University. The conference aims to bring together professionals and families to discuss issues of memory, therapy, law, child abuse, and sociology. The organizers express excitement about the impressive list of speakers and the opportunity for professionals and families to collaborate on resolving critical problems related to the FMS phenomenon. The conference will offer opportunities for press interaction while also providing anonymity for families who wish it.

The Souza Family Case

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to the case of the Souza family in Massachusetts, which garnered attention in The Wall Street Journal. The case involves allegations of child sexual abuse stemming from recovered memories, with articles by Rabinowitz and Richard Gardner, M.D., being referenced. According to a Boston Globe article, Ray and Shirley Souza were to be sentenced in a criminal action for allegedly molesting their grandchildren, with charges reportedly triggered by a dream of one of their daughters. Richard Gardner is quoted as suggesting that the charges reflect a national "hysteria" about sexual abuse. The article details Shirley Ann Souza's recurring dream and her subsequent therapy, which led her to believe her family was dysfunctional. The physical evidence was inconclusive, but one child's testimony described a "green potion" and a machine used for molestation. The prosecutor, Martha Croakley, stated there was no motivation for the children to make up the story, while Richard Gardner contended that videotapes showed the children were led in their responses.

American Psychological Association and Repressed Memories

The newsletter reports that the American Psychological Association (APA) Board has recommended establishing a working group to study memories of childhood abuse. Board member Bruce E. Bennett noted the topic's controversial nature. The APA specified that any outside funding must be unrestricted to avoid perceived influence. The FMS Foundation expresses pleasure that the APA recognizes the crisis and intends to fund a scientific and objective task force. However, a professional raised concerns that the APA might already have a strong bias, citing numerous APA-sponsored talks and workshops on hypnosis and guided imagery for memory retrieval, questioning the scientific evidence supporting these practices.

The Nature of Memory and Therapy

Several articles delve into the nature of memory and therapeutic practices. One section, "When Your Mind Loses Its Head," discusses cellular memory and various healing techniques, referencing a course offered for APA credit that explores identifying "early childhood trauma" through handwriting analysis. The newsletter questions who is monitoring the mental health system given such course offerings. Another section, "Our Critics," addresses objections to the term "False Memory Syndrome," with the American Psychological Society questioning its use. The FMS Foundation defends its position, stating they are concerned with documenting and understanding the reasons for the "hysteria" and misconceptions about memory being spread.

The Role of the Therapist and False Allegations

The newsletter critically examines the role of therapists in the "trauma and recovery" movement. It highlights a research paper by Mikkelsen, Gutheil, and Emons that identified four clinical subtypes of false allegations, including those arising in custody disputes, psychological disturbances, manipulation, and iatrogenic elements. The paper suggests that a narrow focus on the reporter and dismissal of contextual factors can lead to the perpetuation of false allegations. The FMS Foundation notes that in their database of 2,800 cases, therapists rarely consulted pediatrician records or other independent sources when patients recovered memories of abuse.

Personal Accounts and Family Impact

The newsletter includes personal accounts from individuals and families affected by the repressed memory phenomenon. One letter from a mother expresses her pain and confusion over her daughter's accusations and estrangement. Another account details a daughter who recanted her memories and accusations after four years of no contact. The newsletter also features letters from parents who have been accused, expressing their devastation and disbelief, and questioning the accuracy of the therapy that led to these accusations. Some accounts highlight the impact on the accused, including job loss, hospitalization, and emotional crises.

Concerns about Hypnotherapy and Memory Reconstruction

A hypnotherapist expresses concern that the FMS Foundation's newsletter might be perceived as dismissive of certain phenomena like past-life memories or alien abduction experiences, which they encounter in their practice. They argue for a balanced view and caution against name-calling. The newsletter responds by emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between narrative truth and historical truth, especially when legal actions or family destruction are involved. It also points out that scientific research indicates memory is reconstructed and reinterpreted, with no evidence for memories existing in a "time capsule."

Research and Resources

The newsletter includes a research request for individuals with a false or problematical diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). It also lists available resources, including booklets and articles related to FMSF's work. A section on "Comments from people who tell us they had false memories" includes testimonials from individuals who believe their recovered memories were false and led to negative consequences.

Meetings and Conferences

Information is provided about upcoming FMS Foundation meetings and regional events across the US and Canada. The main event highlighted is the FMS Foundation Conference in Valley Forge, PA, from April 16-18, 1993. Details on limousine services and car rental agencies for attendees are also included.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently adopts a critical stance towards the widespread acceptance of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse without rigorous scientific scrutiny. The editorial stance emphasizes the potential for iatrogenic effects from certain therapeutic practices, the importance of distinguishing between narrative and historical truth, and the devastating impact of unsubstantiated accusations on families. While acknowledging the reality of child sexual abuse, the foundation's primary focus is on the phenomena of memory, influence, and the potential for false memories to cause significant harm. The newsletter advocates for a scientific and objective approach to understanding these issues and calls for greater accountability in the mental health field.

Title: Study Disputes Link Between Eating Disorders, Sexual Abuse
Issue: CHANGES, April 1993, Volume 22
Publisher: CHANGES
Country: USA
Language: English
Cover Headline: Study Disputes Link Between Eating Disorders, Sexual Abuse
Cover Description: The cover features a black and white illustration of a woman's head in profile, with the headline 'Study Disputes Link Between Eating Disorders, Sexual Abuse' prominently displayed above and below the illustration.

Article: Study Disputes Link Between Eating Disorders, Sexual Abuse

This article, authored by Andrew Meacham, reviews a report published in the April 1992 American Journal of Psychiatry by Harrison Pope and James Hudson. The report challenges the widely held assumption that sexual abuse is a direct cause of eating disorders, particularly bulimia nervosa.

Key Findings of the Report:

• Controlled Studies: Of the six controlled studies reviewed, four showed no significant support for the hypothesis that sexual abuse is a risk factor for bulimia when comparing bulimic patients to normal populations. Uncontrolled studies also failed to advance this idea.
• Flawed Studies: A fifth study indicated that 50 percent of bulimic patients and 50 percent of anorexic patients had a history of sexual abuse, compared to 28 percent in the control group. However, Pope and Hudson pointed out a significant imbalance in gender representation (one male in the eating disorder group vs. 14 in the control group). When sexes were statistically balanced, the difference in past sexual abuse prevalence was not significant.
• Methodological Criticisms: A sixth controlled study found 50 percent of bulimic women had been sexually molested, compared to 40 percent of depressed women and 28 percent of the control group. Pope and Hudson argued this study was flawed because its control group of 100 required subjects to be 'supernormal,' meaning they had no psychiatric symptoms, had never sought psychiatric treatment, and had no immediate family members with psychiatric diagnoses. This strict criterion could be misleading.

Alternative Explanations for Association:

The authors suggest that even if sexual abuse does not directly cause bulimia nervosa, an association might still exist due to other factors:

• Familial Psychiatric Disorders: Studies have shown that families with alcoholism and/or bipolar disorders are more likely to sexually abuse a child. Therefore, the presence of these disorders in a family could lead to both sexual abuse and bulimia.
• Timing of Abuse: One study factored in sexual abuse that occurred late in adolescence (age 17 or above). Since bulimia and anorexia often begin in adolescence, the authors noted that this might be describing people who were sexually abused *after* developing the eating disorder.
• General Population Rates: The report highlights that rates of sexual abuse in the general population, defined as actual physical contact, range from 27 percent to 51 percent among randomly chosen women. Studies of bulimic patients often fall within this same range, suggesting the difference may not be as stark as initially perceived.
• Interview Bias: Women in general population control groups are typically interviewed only once. In contrast, bulimic women in some studies were patients in therapy, potentially making them more comfortable disclosing personal information to a therapist with whom they have a trusting relationship than to a stranger in a single interview.
• "Effort After Meaning": Individuals with psychological problems often try to find reasons for their distress by examining their past. Bulimic patients, particularly those familiar with the sexual abuse hypothesis, might be more inclined to remember and report childhood sexual abuse compared to control individuals.

Concerns and Recommendations:

Harrison Pope, reached at his offices at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, expressed concern about therapists who automatically assume that sexual abuse must underlie eating disorders and treat patients accordingly. He emphasized, "The sensitive nature of the material makes empirical evidence all the more critical."

Organization Mentioned:

The article mentions the False Memory Syndrome Foundation, located at 3508 Market Street, Suite 128, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3311. This organization is noted as a non-profit entity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The primary theme of this issue is the critical examination of established psychological assumptions, specifically the direct causal link between sexual abuse and eating disorders. The article, by presenting research from the American Journal of Psychiatry, advocates for empirical evidence and cautions against premature conclusions by therapists. The editorial stance appears to be one of promoting rigorous scientific inquiry and challenging conventional wisdom when evidence does not fully support it. The inclusion of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation suggests an interest in memory-related psychological issues and the potential for misinterpretation or fabrication of past events.