False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 03 No 04 - 1994 april

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated April 5, 1994, focuses on the controversies surrounding False Memory Syndrome (FMS), ritual abuse, and the practices of therapists dealing with recovered memories. The newsletter aims to distinguish its position from Holocaust denial, emphasizing that while they do not believe in conspiracy theories, they do acknowledge the existence of false accusations alongside genuine cases of abuse.

FMS Controversy

The lead article, "FMS Controversy In brief," addresses accusations that the FMS Foundation itself believes in conspiracy theories. It refutes this by contrasting their stance with Holocaust deniers, who require a "massive conspiracy theory." The FMS Foundation's position is that those on the other side of the debate are "sincere people" caught in a "closed-system form of belief," rather than conspirators. The newsletter criticizes Cavalcade Productions, Inc., which produces tapes on "ritual abuse" and "False Prophets of The False Memory Syndrome," for accusing the FMS Foundation of conspiracy theories. The narrator of Cavalcade's tape, David McCulley, is quoted as defining a conspiracy as "two or more people who agree to do something," which the newsletter implies is a simplistic and misapplied definition.

The newsletter highlights the tape "Ritual Child Abuse: A PROFESSIONAL OVERVIEW (1989)" from Cavalcade Productions, Inc., as evidence of the beliefs prevalent in certain therapeutic communities. Transcribed selections from this tape describe extreme forms of abuse, including sexual abuse, drugging, threats, animal killings, blood rituals, and human sacrifice involving children. Speakers like Gould and Hammond detail how children can be brainwashed and conditioned to keep secrets, even to the point of participating in abuse themselves. Kluft notes that overwhelming trauma can lead to a child's inability to retain or process events sequentially. Young describes adults recollecting satanic events and Gould mentions numerous preschools in the Los Angeles area where such abuse allegedly occurred without intervention.

Hammond further elaborates on the severity of these cults, suggesting they go beyond typical child abuse and brainwashing, with some cults having roots in historical atrocities. Sachs discusses how cult members who become perpetrators may lose the will to live upon realizing their actions as adults. Young provides examples of young girls forced to participate in sacrifices.

CIA Mind Control and False Memories

Another significant section discusses Dr. Colin Ross and his claims about CIA mind control, as presented on CBC's "The Fifth Estate." Ross suggests that some patients believe their Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) was implanted by the CIA through techniques like sensory isolation, hypnosis, and drugs. The newsletter notes that Ross's work raises questions about whether individuals like Sirhan Sirhan and Lee Harvey Oswald were also mind-controlled. The newsletter contrasts media portrayals of false memories with professional and accuser accounts, identifying a "tremendous credibility gap."

Professional Publications and Media Commentary

The newsletter includes excerpts from various professional publications and media outlets, offering diverse perspectives on the false memory debate:

• Editorial in *Psychology of Women* (Winter 1994): Discusses the coalescing of psychologists and the legal community against therapists treating survivors of recovered memories. It raises concerns about malpractice suits being used as "quality control tools" that could benefit lawyers and psychologists, and notes threads of antifeminism and sexism in the debate.
• "False and Repressed Memories Gain Media Spotlight" by Paul Hemdon (*American Psychological Association*, February 1994): Highlights how the media has portrayed repressed memory therapy as "devastating families." It also mentions that the Foundation approached a state psychology licensing board (Ohio) about enforcing standards for therapists, but the board declined.
• "Bearing Witness to the Patriarchal Revictimization of Survivors" by Connie M. Kristiansen, Ph.D. (*SWAP*, Vol 20, No 2): Critiques a presentation on "True and False Accusations by Adult Survivors of Childhood Sex Abuse," describing it as a "nosologically unrecognized term" used by incompetent therapists to "implant erroneous memories." The author recounts an incident at McGill where a speaker was drowned out by protesters chanting "False Memory is False Syndrome!"
• Various Editorials on Cardinal Bernardin: Several newspapers (The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Akron Beacon Journal, Salt Lake Tribune, The Cincinnati Post, Detroit Free Press, Chicago Tribune, The News, Minneapolis Tribune, Eugene Oregon Register-Guard, St. Petersburg Times, New York Post, Newsday, Oregonian) are cited for their commentary on the Cardinal Bernardin case. These articles generally express relief at his exoneration and caution against the dangers of false accusations, the "politics of hysteria," and the potential for "witch hunts" fueled by media and lawyers.
• "Unsuitable Cases for Treatment" by Madeline Bunting (*The Guardian*, February 23, 1994): Argues that the profession needs to develop ways of assessing therapies and enforce a single system of registration, accreditation, and ethics, noting that the "cavalier diagnosis of childhood sexual abuse" and "unregulated use of unorthodox therapeutic techniques" remain unaddressed.
• "Cost of Violence" (*The Mail on Sunday*, January 16, 1994): Reports on payments made by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in England for sexual abuse victims, noting that compensation is often awarded even without a conviction and that most claims are made by social services departments.

President's Desk and Other Contributions

• President's Message by Carolyn C. Battle, Ph.D. (*Maryland Psychologist*): Defines the "repressed memory" controversy as adults recalling repressed childhood abuse, then confronting the abuser, who denies it and blames the memory on therapy.
• "False Prophets of The False Memory Syndrome" by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. (Cavalcade Productions, Inc. 1993): States that "false memory syndrome" does not exist as a syndrome.
• "Remembering Past Trauma is Possible" by Carol Waterloo (*McKeesport Daily News*, March 11, 1994): Mentions Charles Whitfield, M.D., who stated there is "no such syndrome as 'false memory syndrome.'"
• "False Memory Syndrome: Can We forget About it Yet?" by Rosemary Moskal (*Psychologists Association of Alberta*, January 15, 1994): Expresses concern about the undermining of the legitimate therapeutic process due to the "troubling psychological phenomenon" and the media's tendency to pit "experts" against each other.
• "False Memories Falsely Accuse" (*Oregonian*, March 7, 1994): Warns that memory can rob individuals of their good names, peace of mind, and lives.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently emphasizes the distinction between genuine abuse and the potential for false accusations, particularly within the context of recovered memory therapy. It expresses concern over the "credibility gap" and the need for scientific rigor and ethical standards in therapeutic practices. The FMS Foundation positions itself as advocating for a balanced approach that acknowledges the reality of abuse while also addressing the problem of false claims, aiming to ensure that genuine victims are not discredited and that the falsely accused are protected. The newsletter also critiques the media's role in sensationalizing these issues and the potential for therapeutic techniques to be misused. The overall stance is one of caution regarding unsubstantiated claims and a call for evidence-based practices and professional accountability.

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated April 1994, focuses on the complexities surrounding Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) and the phenomenon of recovered memories. The newsletter features a Q&A section with Dr. August Piper Jr., M.D., addressing reader questions about MPD, its alleged link to childhood abuse, and the costs associated with its treatment. It also includes several reader-submitted reports detailing personal experiences with therapy, accusations of abuse, and legal battles related to memory claims.

Multiple Personality Disorder: Causes and Treatment

Dr. August Piper Jr., M.D., tackles two main topics concerning MPD. First, he addresses the common assertion that MPD is solely a result of early, severe abuse. He argues that this notion, while appealing, is flawed because it oversimplifies the issue and ignores other potential contributing factors to adult psychological difficulties, such as parental absence, poverty, or discord. He cites a British Journal of Psychiatry study suggesting that the effects of sexual abuse often overlap with other disadvantages, making it difficult to isolate abuse as an independent causal element. Piper also criticizes the lack of verification of assumed abuse in many MPD literature studies, calling it loose scholarship and an unproven speculation.

Second, Piper discusses the cost of MPD treatment, responding to a reader named Gina whose sister has undergone years of costly treatment with no improvement. He expresses skepticism about claims of rapid patient improvement and highlights a study in The American Journal of Psychotherapy that suggested MPD treatment might be cost-effective, yet data showed treatment costs doubled and hospital use increased after diagnosis. He notes that Gina's sister's situation appears to be a recurring problem, with some patients spending significant time and vast sums on treatment, sometimes with worsening conditions.

Recovered Memories and Abuse Accusations

The newsletter features several reports from readers regarding recovered memories and accusations of abuse.

One mother recounts her experience with a therapist who concluded her daughter had been sexually abused based on 'healing prayers' and a trance-like state. The mother felt pressured to accept the therapist's conclusion, which invalidated her own feelings and perceptions. She sought a second opinion, and the subsequent therapist's report, dated February 4, 1994, deemed the daughter's repressed memories valid based on various checklists and factors, including the presence of the repressed memory syndrome and matching pain symptoms.

Another section details a legal offer to settle a case for $250,000.00 concerning alleged sexual and physical assaults on a daughter by her stepfather, Mr. Blank, when she was a minor. The daughter's mother was also implicated for ignoring the abuse. The lawyer stated that if a settlement was not reached, a lawsuit would be filed.

A report from a "Professional Mom" criticizes "sexual assault prevention training" introduced in Massachusetts schools, which she believes presents an overly sinister view of the world and adults to young children. She argues that the program's statistics are accepted without question and that parents who protest are labeled, creating a form of coercion.

Several other reader submissions touch upon similar themes: a sister-in-law's accusation of childhood abuse against her father, which later recanted; a sister's death from a medication overdose after being considered suicidal, with her therapist's associate involved; and a father's perspective on the controversy surrounding recovered memories, questioning how therapists can be certain of events they did not witness.

Legal Corner and Ethical Concerns

The "Legal Corner" feature, written by James Simons, J.D., discusses the process and implications of filing complaints against mental health professionals. It emphasizes that while complaints can be therapeutic and lead to accountability, they must be handled carefully to avoid false accusations. The section outlines practices associated with "memory retrieval therapy" that have raised ethical questions, including the use of hypnosis without full disclosure of risks, the disregard for research on false memories, and the difficulty in distinguishing true from false memories.

News notes highlight related legal and regulatory developments. A report from Colorado indicates a surge in complaints against therapists, with families often being the complainants. A lawsuit in Colorado accused a therapist of implanting false memories. Illinois considered limiting sex suits related to recovered memories. A New York Times article discusses the debate over "restored memory" and its use of hypnosis or drugs. A Chicago Tribune report details the Ramona trial, where therapists are being sued for allegedly planting false memories. Seattle families picketed a therapist's office due to a lack of standards for memory cases. A Toronto Star article calls for an inquiry into the Martensville Day Care case, questioning the low conviction rate in a satanic ritual abuse case.

Other Sections

The newsletter also includes a "Notice" for FMSF members who have filed complaints with the California Board of Behavioral Science or Psychology and have not received a satisfactory reply. It also lists upcoming FMSF meetings and related conferences across the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the skepticism surrounding the direct causal link between childhood abuse and MPD, the controversy and potential dangers of recovered memory therapy, and the legal and ethical implications of accusations of abuse. The FMS Foundation appears to advocate for a more critical and evidence-based approach to these complex psychological and legal issues, urging caution and restraint in pronouncements about causes and treatments, and highlighting the potential for harm from unsubstantiated claims and questionable therapeutic practices.