False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 02 No 10 - 1993 nov

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated November 3, 1993, focuses on the controversial topic of repressed memories, particularly in the context of alleged child sexual abuse. The newsletter critically examines the scientific evidence, therapeutic practices, and societal implications surrounding these claims, drawing parallels to historical instances of mass hysteria and questioning the concept of 'sexual abuse hysteria.'

The Question of Belief and Evidence

The newsletter opens with a therapist's question about believing in sexual abuse, which the authors interpret as a deflection from the issue of widespread problems supported by empirical data. They highlight their own organization's (FMSF) questioning of the scientific evidence for memory issues and criticize critics for responding with personal attacks rather than addressing the core issues. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of defense and due process, warning against 'witch hunts' where individuals are accused without fair means of defense.

Historical Parallels: Witch Hunts and McCarthyism

Richard Gardner, MD, is quoted extensively, comparing the current 'sexual abuse hysteria' to historical events. He describes the Salem witch trials, noting the swiftness of convictions and executions, and the dismissal of the court by Governor Phips. He then likens this to the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s, characterized by exaggerated threats and severe punishments. Gardner posits that the sexual abuse hysteria prevalent since the early 1980s is the third and most severe episode of mass hysteria witnessed in the country.

Critiquing Therapeutic Practices

The newsletter challenges the notion of 'traumatic amnesia' and 'repression' as explanations for forgotten abuse. It examines literature on trauma and memory, suggesting that memories are reconstructed and reinterpreted, and that people misremember. The authors express skepticism about the concept of 'body memories' and the diagnosis of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) as proof of repressed abuse, noting that MPD is a controversial diagnosis. They also critique the idea that 'flashbacks' are solely indicative of abuse, explaining them as a common anxiety response.

The Role of Therapists and 'Retractors'

The newsletter discusses the power dynamics in the therapist-client relationship, suggesting that some therapists may become overzealous, leading to the creation of false memories. It notes the increasing number of 'retractors'—individuals who recant their accusations—and highlights the emotional and financial toll these cases take on families. The newsletter also touches upon the phenomenon of 'space alien abduction' and 'past lives' therapies, suggesting they operate on similar principles of suggestion.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

The issue raises significant legal and ethical questions. The "Witch Hunts and Due Process" editorial from the Maine Times argues that the suggestion by therapists that patients' problems are caused by forgotten sexual abuse, leading to parental prosecution, resembles a witch hunt, disregarding the assumption of innocence. The Michigan Psychological Association's Ethics Committee is criticized for deeming it ethical for psychologists to organize meetings that allow for the public vilification of parents without investigating the truth of the accusations.

Case Studies and Personal Testimonies

The newsletter includes personal accounts from individuals who have experienced or are involved in repressed memory cases. One 'retractor' shares her story of being diagnosed with PTSD and MPD, feeling pressured by her therapist to 'recover' memories of abuse that she ultimately did not have, leading to her depression and estrangement from her family. Another account from parents describes their daughter's accusations, which they believe were influenced by her therapist, and their gratitude for the FMS Foundation's information. A letter from a mother expresses bewilderment over her daughter's estrangement and questions how other families deal with such situations.

Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD)

A significant portion of the newsletter is dedicated to discussing Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD). It notes the cultural prominence of diagnoses like 'Sybil' and 'The Three Faces of Eve' and questions why MPD is often framed as a matter of belief. The authors express skepticism about the rapid increase in MPD diagnoses since 1980, suggesting it may have become a 'diagnostic fad' within a particular psychiatric lobby. They highlight the imprecision of diagnostic criteria and the potential for overdiagnosis, particularly with the use of hypnosis.

Legal Issues and the FMSF Legal Resource Kit

The newsletter details the FMSF Legal Research Project, which offers a Legal Resource Kit covering specific issues in repressed memory cases, including case citations and bibliographic references. It notes the increasing number of people involved in legal actions and the significant economic and emotional devastation these cases bring. A judge's statement from Canada is cited, illustrating how cases based on questionable memory evidence can be dismissed after considerable expense.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this newsletter is a critical examination of the repressed memory phenomenon and the associated 'sexual abuse hysteria.' The FMS Foundation appears to advocate for a more rigorous scientific approach to memory and trauma, emphasizing due process and cautioning against therapeutic practices that may lead to false accusations. The editorial stance is one of skepticism towards the current prevailing theories and practices in the field of recovered memories, advocating for a balanced perspective that protects both alleged victims and the falsely accused.

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated November 1993, focuses heavily on the topic of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), presenting critical perspectives that question its prevalence and etiology. The newsletter features articles that contrast the views of prominent figures in the field and explore historical precedents for understanding such psychological phenomena.

The Simulation and Dissimulation of Multiple Personality Disorder by Dr. Richard P. Kluft

The newsletter begins by referencing a paper by Dr. Richard P. Kluft, published in the American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, which discusses the concepts of simulation and dissimulation in MPD. Kluft suggests that dissimulation is more common than simulation, being an adaptation for about 90% of MPD patients. He posits that if alters (alternate personalities) work in concert, MPD may go undetected. However, if alters are in conflict, signs of 'covert boundary incursion' might be detectable through careful history-taking that challenges repression and suppression. Kluft, described as a strong advocate for the widespread nature of MPD, emphasizes the need for 'detection' in diagnosis. The article also notes Kluft's cautionary stance on the use of hypnosis in forensic assessments of MPD, citing the 'Hillside Strangler' case as a point of controversy, while still affirming its 'profound usefulness' in clinical settings. A key point highlighted from Kluft's paper is the observation that unforced dissociation can occur after several hours of continuous interview, with spontaneous switching of personalities noted even after six to eight hours in some difficult cases.

Multiple Personality Disorder by Paul R. McHugh

Following Kluft's perspective, the newsletter presents an article by Paul R. McHugh, reprinted from The Harvard Mental Health Letter, which questions the existence of MPD. McHugh draws a parallel between MPD symptoms and hysterical paralysis and seizures, lessons learned from psychiatrists over a century ago. He recounts the work of Jean-Martin Charcot at the Salpetriere Hospital in Paris in the 1880s, who identified 'hystero-epilepsy.' Charcot demonstrated this condition, but a skeptical student, Joseph Babinski, argued that Charcot had induced the symptoms through suggestion. Babinski believed that patients, already vulnerable, were influenced by the hospital environment, the encouragement of staff, and the observation of other patients, leading them to imitate epileptic attacks. Babinski's view, which eventually prevailed, was that doctors could induce a variety of physical and mental disorders, particularly in young, emotionally troubled women. He concluded that these patients were afflicted not by a disease but by an idea.

McHugh explains Charcot and Babinski's two-stage treatment: isolation of patients and countersuggestion. Isolation involved transferring patients to general wards and separating them from others exhibiting similar behaviors. Countersuggestion aimed to persuade patients to abandon their symptoms. While dramatic countersuggestions were unreliable, ignoring the hysterical behavior and focusing on the patients' underlying stressors (sexual feelings, traumas, economic fears, religious conflicts, feelings of exploitation) proved more effective. The hysterical symptoms were seen as obscuring deeper emotional conflicts. The newsletter notes that staff members subtly withdrew interest in the hysterical behavior, shifting focus to the 'home situation' that might have caused it, leading to a more coherent approach to problems.

MPD as an Iatrogenic Syndrome

The newsletter strongly argues that MPD is an iatrogenic behavioral syndrome, meaning it is created or exacerbated by the actions of therapists and the healthcare system. It suggests that the diagnosis became popular due to best-selling books and movies and is often based on crude suggestion. The article quotes Stephen E. Buie, M.D., who provides advice on eliciting alternate personalities through indirect questioning. Buie suggests asking if 'another part of you does things that you can't control?' and then probing for specific examples. Once a patient accepts the idea of having an alter personality, they are committed to this self-image and may be placed on a 'dissociative service.' The emergence of the first alter is seen as breaching the barrier of reality, allowing fantasy to take over, leading to the proliferation of numerous personalities. The newsletter states that the search for fresh symptoms sustains the commitment to the MPD diagnosis.

The article links the MPD diagnosis to childhood sexual trauma, suggesting that patients and therapists search for alters who remember and can identify abusers. This, it is argued, enhances commitment to the diagnosis by creating a sense of injustice and a need for justice. The patient develops a vested interest in sustaining the MPD enterprise.

McHugh contends that while these patients often have genuine emotional conflicts and traumatic experiences, the focus on dramatic symptoms and a single type of trauma distracts from their main problems. He suggests that the 'interminable' nature of MPD treatment, due to therapists focusing on symptoms, contributes to its perception as a chronic disorder.

Proposed Treatment and Conclusion

McHugh advocates for a return to the methods used by Charcot: isolation and countersuggestion. He suggests closing dissociative services, dispersing patients to general psychiatric units, ignoring alters, and ceasing discussions about them in staff conferences. Instead, he proposes paying attention to real present problems and conflicts rather than fantasy. The article concludes that if these simple rules are followed, multiple personalities will wither away, and psychotherapy can begin.

FMS Foundation Updates and Resources

The latter part of the newsletter provides practical information for members and the public. It includes:

• FMSF Meetings: Schedules for meetings across various regions in the USA and Canada (California, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas/Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Northeastern States, Wisconsin, British Columbia, Ontario) and the United Kingdom.
• FMSF Notices: Information on the Michigan Information Newsletter, and a call for Wisconsin residents to join a phone tree.
• Professional Task Forces: A mention of a Dutch minister of justice task force on ritual sexual abuse allegations and a note about the lack of progress on task forces studying 'false memories' by major professional organizations. It highlights the importance of public letters to organizations like the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and American Medical Association.
• Awards: Elizabeth Loftus, Ph.D. is mentioned as receiving the 'In Praise of Reason' award.
• Bibliography Additions: An updated list of magazine, newspaper, and professional articles available for order from the FMSF, including titles related to 'Head Hunt,' 'No Thanks for the Memories,' 'Memories of Abuse: Real or Imagined?,' 'Children Accusing Their Parents,' and various professional articles on therapeutic relationships, sexual abuse hysteria, and false memories.
• Book Recommendations: 'Hidden Memories' by Robert Baker is recommended for families and professionals interested in 'confabulations.'
• Donation Appeal: A direct appeal for financial contributions to the FMS Foundation, emphasizing the need for support to 'pick up the pieces' of devastated lives. It suggests contributions of appreciated stock or donations in lieu of gifts.
• Contact Information: Details for the FMS Foundation, including address, phone number, and ISSN.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The overarching theme of this newsletter issue is a critical examination of Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD), strongly suggesting that it is largely a product of suggestion, iatrogenesis, and societal influences rather than a genuine, distinct psychiatric illness. The editorial stance aligns with the perspective that MPD symptoms can be induced and maintained through therapeutic interactions and media portrayal, echoing historical accounts of hysteria. The FMS Foundation positions itself as an organization dedicated to addressing the 'devastated lives' resulting from what it perceives as a flawed mental health field, advocating for a return to more grounded, reality-based approaches to psychological problems and a critical stance on the 'false memory' phenomenon.