False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 03 No 02 - 1994 feb

Magazine Overview

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue: Vol 3 No. 2
Date: February 8, 1994
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter delves into the complex and controversial topic of repressed memories of sexual abuse, contrasting scientific approaches with belief systems. It features the American Psychiatric Association's (APA) statement on the issue, which advocates for a neutral stance from therapists and highlights the importance of corroborating evidence.

The APA Statement on Memories of Sexual Abuse

The newsletter presents the APA's December 12, 1993 statement, which acknowledges the passionate debates surrounding memories of sexual abuse and the therapeutic techniques used. The APA expresses concern that these debates have overshadowed scientific evidence underlying widespread agreement among psychiatrists. The statement emphasizes that psychiatrists should maintain an empathic, non-judgmental, neutral stance, avoiding prejudgment of a patient's difficulties or the veracity of their reports. It notes that while the context of alleged abuse can aid assessment, there is no completely accurate way to determine the validity of reports without corroborating information. The APA advises psychiatrists to refrain from making public statements about the veracity of individual reports.

The FMS Foundation acknowledges the APA statement as a step towards reason but requests further information on the scientific evidence supporting repressed memories and their treatment. They specifically question the claim that "many individuals who recover memories of abuse have been able to find corroborating information" and seek clarification on the definition of "many" and how this evidence has been independently checked.

The Role of the Therapist and Survivor Checklists

The newsletter contrasts the APA's neutral stance with that of recovered memory therapists who are described as "validators" of memories of abuse. It cites examples from authors like Bass and Davis, and Fredrickson, suggesting a belief-system-based approach rather than a scientific one. The FMS Foundation expresses hope that the APA statement will lead to a reduction in public pronouncements by hospitals and psychiatrists validating unsubstantiated abuse claims, particularly in cases involving public figures or advertising.

Dorothy Cantor, a Board Member of the American Psychological Association, is quoted discussing "sets of symptoms" of abuse and the need to see how material emerges. The newsletter raises concerns about "survivor check lists" prevalent in incest survivor literature, which are presented as indicators of abuse. It questions the scientific basis of these lists, citing an example where a caller on "A.M. Philadelphia" identified with 75% of the red flags on such a checklist, leading to physical illness.

Critiques of Research and Methodology

The newsletter includes a detailed critique of a study by Linda Meyer Williams, which is frequently cited by proponents of repressed memories. The critique, authored by Terence W. Campbell, Ph.D., points out significant methodological flaws, including potential experimenter bias and the neglect of proactive and retroactive inhibition effects on memory recall. Campbell argues that Williams' study, which reported that 38% of women did not recall documented sexual abuse, is flawed and that the actual percentage of women with no memory for any episode of sexual abuse was closer to 12%.

The Cost of Violence

An article titled "The Cost of Violence?" presents statistics on the economic impact of violence in the United States. It cites figures for medical care for violence ($14 billion) and mental health care for violence ($13 billion) in 1991-92. The data, collected by Ted Miller and Mark Cohen, highlight the costs associated with drunken driving, murder, rape, assault, suicides, and the effects of childhood abuse. The article notes that this study does not directly address repressed memories but rather the broader costs of violence.

Psychiatry's Time Bomb and Healthcare Costs

The newsletter reprints an opinion column by Adam Blatner, M.D., from The Psychiatric Times (November 1987), titled "Psychiatry's Time Bomb." Blatner predicted issues related to the deregulation of healthcare, the competition among hospitals, and the potential for overutilization of services, particularly for conditions like Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) which require extensive hospitalization. The FMS Foundation connects these predictions to ongoing federal investigations into private mental hospitals and the high costs of medical care.

Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) and False Memories

A new column, "False Memories and Multiple Personality Disorder: Where Will It All End?" by August Piper, Jr., M.D., explores the relationship between MPD and false memories. The author notes the dramatic increase in MPD diagnoses since 1970, suggesting that many clinicians may be overdiagnosing the disorder. The column discusses how a history of sexual abuse, often a criterion for MPD diagnosis, can lead therapists to seek repressed memories, potentially creating false memories if the patient doesn't recall abuse. It also highlights the subtle but damaging aspect where therapists may convince patients of abuse histories to justify MPD treatment, even if the patient has no recollection.

Legal Actions and Reader Contributions

The newsletter reports on the FMS Foundation's legal survey, indicating that one out of seven families contacted believe they have been threatened with legal action based on repressed memories, and one out of sixteen has actually faced legal action. The majority of these actions are civil suits, with 50% being dismissed.

Several "From Our Readers" sections feature personal accounts. One mother shares the story of her daughter's false memory claims leading to a lawsuit against therapists, resulting in her daughter's recovery and the family's reconciliation. Another mother expresses her pain over the impact of "toxic therapists" on families. A father recounts his experience attending Incest and Rape Support Group meetings, where he observed hypnotherapy and other techniques that he found questionable, likening it to "Barnum and Bailey were sure right: 'There's a sucker born every minute.'" Another parent details the struggle with their daughter's MPD diagnosis and retracted abuse claims, and the ongoing refusal of the Department of Social Services to update their records.

Vagaries of Memory and Emotion

The "Vagaries of Memory" section discusses the unreliability of memory, using the example of Vanessa, who made conflicting statements about her experiences on television programs. The newsletter suggests that people often misremember, and even forget that they underwent hypnosis or had certain memories.

The "Memory and Emotion" section, referencing Daniel Reisberg, Ph.D., explains that while emotion can enhance memory recall, it also narrows attention to central aspects of an event. The process of recounting memories and conversing about emotional events can lead to "editing" and the unconscious filling of gaps with plausible inferences, resulting in "false memories" that are recalled with high confidence.

Professional Training and Ethical Considerations

An article on "Who is doing therapy in America?" highlights that social workers now outnumber psychologists and psychiatrists as mental health providers. It notes that while social workers cannot prescribe medication, their psychotherapy training is considered on par with other professions. The newsletter calls for an examination of all professional training programs regarding psychotherapy, citing a lack of coursework on memory and repression in social work schools and referring to Michael Yapko's findings on therapists' misconceptions about memory and hypnosis. The issue of "criminal laxity" in professional education is raised, drawing a parallel to Sir William Osler's efforts to upgrade medical education in 1890.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The FMS Foundation Newsletter consistently questions the scientific validity of repressed memory claims and the therapeutic practices associated with them. The editorial stance is critical of therapists who are perceived as "validators" of unsubstantiated abuse claims, advocating for a scientific, evidence-based approach to mental health treatment. The newsletter emphasizes the potential for harm caused by misdiagnosis and the creation of false memories, particularly in the context of legal proceedings and child custody disputes. It champions the need for rigorous scientific inquiry, transparency, and accountability within the mental health professions, while also providing a platform for individuals and families affected by these issues to share their experiences and concerns.

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated February 1994, focuses on the complex topic of false memory syndrome and its impact on individuals and families. The cover story, "My Mother Abused Me, Didn't She?" by Elizabeth Godley, is a personal narrative that explores the author's journey through accusations of sexual abuse against her mother, the role of therapy in shaping these memories, and her eventual realization of their falsity.

"My Mother Abused Me, Didn't She?" by Elizabeth Godley

Elizabeth Godley recounts her experience at age 38, after a failed relationship, feeling empty and unlovable. She sought therapy and was asked by her therapist if she had been sexually abused by her mother. This question triggered a profound reaction, leading her to believe this was the cause of her long-standing depressions. Her therapist, specializing in incest survivors, encouraged her to remember traumatic events.

Godley describes a recovered memory of being four years old in the woods with her mother, where she was allegedly forced to do certain things. She reported this to her therapist, who interpreted her mother's shocked and defensive response to Godley's accusations as further proof of abuse. For four years, Godley had no contact with her parents, believing them to be toxic.

After three years of therapy, feeling no cure for her depressions, Godley began to question her memories, especially after marrying and facing marital difficulties. A counselor suggested she could not resolve marital problems without coming to terms with her family. This prompted a deeper self-reflection, leading her to believe her mother had not abused her and that she had accepted the therapist's theory too easily out of desperation.

Godley likens her situation to joining a cult, with her therapist as the guru, and herself as a victim. She explains that the role of victim can be appealing, as psychologist Carol Tavris notes in "The Mismeasure of Women." Tavris suggests that women who feel vulnerable and victimized may identify with incest survivors, using the sexual-victim identity as a way to express broader societal feelings of victimization.

Godley relates her own experience of falsely accusing her mother, tapping into repressed rage against her authoritarian parents who pushed her to be perfect. She mentions the stillbirth of a sibling when she was four and a later abortion that she kept secret, both contributing to her anguish. Her therapist, she states, unwittingly lit the fuse.

Making amends with her parents was difficult. She sought help from a new psychiatrist who suggested that her depressions were likely caused by guilt and unexpressed anger, not sexual abuse. Her psychiatrist also suggested that her two clear memories of sexual encounters (one at age seven in a movie theater, another at age 12 at the beach) were unlikely to be repressed memories of abuse by her mother.

Over the past few years, Godley has opened up to her mother, sharing her secret abortion, leading to a dramatic improvement in their relationship. She feels a sense of relief and has learned to recognize her feelings, communicate her needs, and clarify her expectations. She has also found comfort in hearing similar stories from other women and speaking with parents who have been falsely accused.

NOTICE - Ohio Families

This section highlights the ongoing efforts of families in Ohio to inform professionals about the devastation of FMS. Health insurance companies are reportedly showing interest, with the Director of Financial Investigations at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Ohio expressing concern about FMS's impact on policyholders and the oversight of mental health counseling. Information regarding questionable claims submitted to BCBSO can be reported to their fraud hotline.

Grandchildren

A report of a 16-year-old grandchild asking to live with accused grandparents raises questions about the models presented to children when parents cut off contact and what happens when children become adults.

Bernardin Case

The accusations against Cardinal Bernardin are discussed in relation to memory, repression, and psychotherapy practices. An article by Andrew Greeley in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is cited, detailing an investigation into Michelle Moul, the therapist who worked with Cook. The report questions Moul's qualifications, noting her degree in industrial planning, her prior businesses, a master's in applied psychology from an unaccredited institution, and the absence of hypnotism in her school's programs. She is not licensed to practice psychology in Pennsylvania and has no record of supervised clinical experience.

Retractor Group Forming

A group called "The Retractors" is forming in the Sacramento Area for individuals who believe their "core issue" is repressed abuse and whose recovered memories have damaged their families. They invite people to join and subscribe to their newsletter.

FMSF Meetings and Programs

• This section lists upcoming FMSF meetings and programs, including:
• National FMSF Program: Memory and Reality (June 3-5, 1994, Kansas City)
• Midwest Regional Meeting (May 21-22, 1994, Michigan State University, Lansing, MI)
• American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting (May 25, 1994, Philadelphia, PA) with seminar speakers.

It also provides contact information for various local FMSF chapters across the United States and Canada, as well as in Australia and New Zealand.

Professional Articles and Magazine & Newspaper Articles

The newsletter lists several articles and publications related to psychology, memory, abuse, and related topics, with prices indicated for each.

Criminal Lawyers' Association Conference

An upcoming conference on "The Abuse and Misuse of Science: Recovered Memories" is scheduled for November 5-7, 1993, in Toronto, with contact information provided.

FMS Foundation Information Update

A questionnaire is included for members to update their personal information and provide details about their relationship to accusers, diagnoses, and legal actions, emphasizing confidentiality.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the controversial nature of recovered memories, the potential for false accusations in therapy, and the devastating impact on families. The FMS Foundation's stance appears to be one of skepticism towards the uncritical acceptance of recovered memories, advocating for a careful examination of the evidence and the therapeutic process. The newsletter provides a platform for personal testimonies, research findings, and information about organizations and events related to false memory syndrome, aiming to inform and support those affected by these issues.