False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 06 No 04 - 1997 april

Magazine Overview

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter, dated April 1997, Volume 6, Number 4, addresses the ongoing debates and developments surrounding False Memory Syndrome (FMS). It features articles on legal cases, scientific research, therapy practices, and personal accounts from families affected by FMS.

Dear Friends

The opening letter addresses the growing frequency of questions about the nature of memory, repression, and traumatic amnesia, particularly in legal contexts. It references the New Hampshire Supreme Court's oral arguments in the State v. Hungerford appeal and the settlement of the Cool v. Olsen case for $2.4 million. The letter also highlights the "What's New in the Memory Wars?" conference, which featured new research and critical analyses of PET scan studies and the politics of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Presentations by Dr. Beth Loftus discussed how suggestive questioning could inflate confidence in imagined events and how a therapist's suggestions could influence a patient's beliefs.

The Memory and Reality: Next Steps Conference

This section reports on a conference that aimed to provide an "upbeat" perspective on remembering, forgetting, and retracting memories. It suggests that legal suits based solely on recovered repressed memories may be declining, with those who have been sued now using legal remedies. The data indicates a significant positive change, with 7% of families reporting a child's retraction and over 25% reporting resumed contact. However, the article notes that work remains to reach children still affected by memories and overcome legal hurdles, citing the ongoing Amirault case as a remnant of past hysteria.

Legal Cases and Developments

Several legal cases are detailed:

• The Amirault Case: The newsletter discusses the 1980s case involving allegations of child sexual abuse at the Fells Acres day care school. Despite the Amirault family maintaining their innocence, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court reinstated convictions for Violet and Cheryl Amirault. The court acknowledged flaws in the trial, such as seating arrangements, but denied a new trial, emphasizing the need for finality. Supporters claim the allegations were improbable and lacked corroboration.
• Cool v. Legion Insurance Co.: Psychiatrist Kenneth C. Olson settled with Nadean Cool for $2.4 million, facing allegations of inducing false memories through hypnosis, diagnosing multiple personality disorder, and engaging in dangerous treatment, including an exorcism.
• Jamerson v. Vandiver: A Washington State Court of Appeals upheld a trial court verdict in favor of defendant parents in a repressed memory case and sanctioned the plaintiffs' attorneys for discovery violations and failing to adequately investigate the factual basis of the claim.
• Ryman Case: A Canadian man, Charles D. Ryman, was acquitted in a retrial for sexual assault, with the judge expressing concerns about the credibility of Crown witnesses and the role of repressed memory claims.
• Maxine Berry Lawsuit: A South Dakota woman is suing therapists and a clinic, alleging she was falsely led to believe she had been sexually and physically abused as a child.
• Unlicensed Therapist Settles: A suit against therapist Jennifer Septon was settled out of court for $100,000, with allegations of negligence, failure to investigate facts, and falsely diagnosing repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse.
• Pennsylvania Therapists: Two therapists, Patricia Mansmann and Patricia Neuhausel, agreed not to practice for at least a year due to misconduct charges and the use of harmful methods.

Research and Scientific Focus

• Family Survey Update: This section presents data from surveys of FMS families, showing a pattern in the year accusations were learned and when families contacted the FMSF. The data suggests a slowing of new accusations, possibly due to increased public awareness and more cautious therapeutic practices.
• Focus on Science: Childhood Sexual Abuse and Psychiatric Disorders: This is the second part of a series examining the link between childhood sexual abuse and adult psychiatric disorders. It discusses hypothetical studies and highlights the problem of "information bias," particularly "recall bias," where individuals may overestimate or underestimate the prevalence of abuse due to factors like not being blinded to the study's purpose or engaging in "effort after meaning" to explain their conditions.
• The Pregnant Women and the Power Lines: This article, part of the "Focus on Science" series, uses a hypothetical study to illustrate how "effort after meaning" can lead to recall bias in retrospective studies, making it difficult to confirm reports of childhood sexual abuse.
• Different Forms of Childhood Abuse and Memory: A review of a study published in Child Abuse & Neglect suggests that recovering previously forgotten childhood events is normal and not necessarily related to a history of child abuse.

Other Sections

• Cult Deaths: The newsletter notes the Heaven's Gate cult suicides, drawing parallels to FMS families in terms of "belief systems" and cutting off contact with family.
• Our Critics: This section contrasts the large number of protest letters sent to Johns Hopkins in 1994 with only one e-mail solicitation in 1997, suggesting a shift in public perception or organized opposition.
• Special Thanks: Acknowledges individuals who contributed to the newsletter.
• Make a Difference: Features the story of Liz and Roger LaPlant, who shared their experience on national television, inspiring others and contributing to a $2.4 million settlement for the Cool family.
• Therapist Logic: Includes quotes from David Spiegel, M.D., and Alisa S. Beaver, M.Ed., questioning the validity and methodology of recovered-memory therapy and emphasizing the importance of truth in therapy.
• Washington State (1) & (2): Reports on new rules in Washington State that will no longer pay for experimental mental health therapies and a proposed bill to ban "hypnosis or dissociative mental states" in public schools.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently advocates for a critical examination of recovered-memory claims and therapies, highlighting potential biases and the importance of scientific rigor. It emphasizes the FMS Foundation's role in providing support to families affected by these issues and in educating the public and professionals. The editorial stance appears to be one of skepticism towards the uncritical acceptance of repressed memory claims, while acknowledging the reality of trauma and abuse. There is a strong focus on legal outcomes and scientific research that challenges the prevailing narratives around FMS. The newsletter also promotes the idea that individuals and organizations can "make a difference" by counteracting the harm caused by FMS and supporting those affected.

Title: FMS Foundation Newsletter
Issue Date: April 1997
Volume: 6
Issue: No. 4
Publisher: FMS Foundation
Country: USA
ISSN: 1069-0484

This issue of the FMS Foundation Newsletter delves into the controversial topics of multiple personality disorder (MPD), false memory syndrome, and the reliability of psychiatric testimony. It features book reviews, reader contributions, and discussions on the scientific and political aspects of these issues.

Book Reviews

Hoax and Reality: The Bizarre World of Multiple Personality Disorder by August Piper, Jr., MD

Reviewed by Joel Paris, M.D., this book argues that the construct of MPD is invalid due to conceptual muddiness and imprecise diagnostic criteria. Paris notes that Piper suggests many symptoms only emerge after therapy with a dissociation specialist and that the field is controlled by 'believers' in MPD, likening their approach to Scientology rather than science. While Piper critiques the theory that dissociation functions as a defense against trauma, Paris suggests that Piper might have gone beyond debunking to suggest an alternative model for pathological dissociation, acknowledging the potential for iatrogenic forms of the disorder.

Whores of the Court: The Fraud of Psychiatric Testimony and the Rape of American Justice by Margaret A. Hagen

Reviewed by Ralph Slovenko, this book criticizes psychiatric testimony as 'junk science' and calls the efforts of psychiatrists and psychologists 'a total fraud.' Hagen contends that modern clinical psychology's practices are unscientific, tracing the evolution of psychological problems from Freud's focus on sex to contemporary explanations rooted in low self-esteem. The review highlights Hagen's critique of the 'discovery rule' used in cases involving repressed memories of sexual abuse, specifically referencing the Shahzade v. Gregory case where Dr. Bessel van der Kolk testified that repression of memories of childhood sexual abuse was a scientific fact. Slovenko notes Hagen's argument that the proliferation of mental disorders has created a 'veritable bonanza' for psychologists and attorneys, shifting societal responsibility for behavior to context rather than the individual.

From Our Readers

Is Psychology Afflicted with Politically Expedient Syndromes?

Martin H. Williams, Ph.D., argues that Kenneth Pope's criticisms of false memory syndrome are politically motivated. Williams references Brown (1965) who noted a shift in social psychology research related to the Authoritarian Personality as Communism became a perceived threat. Williams contends that Pope's own work on the 'Therapist-Patient Sex Syndrome' is as scientifically shaky as the false memory claims he criticizes, suggesting that psychology often circumvents bias by promoting findings that align with popular beliefs or political climates.

She is Back!

A parent shares their experience with a daughter who, in 1992, accused them of physical and sexual abuse from age 2. After joining the FMSF, the advice was to avoid confrontation and encourage contact. After four years, the daughter volunteered contact, and the parent expresses hope for her recovery, stating they cannot accept her 'false' memory as truth.

Seeing Her Dad in Another Light

A parent recounts the difficult process of dealing with their daughter's accusations, which began after she joined FMSF. Through consistent positive interactions and patience, the daughter eventually retracted her accusations, stating her father had not molested her. The parent expresses gratitude for the FMSF's guidance.

All to Stop the Madness

Katie Spanuello recounts attending the Cool v. Olson trial, highlighting the courage of Nadean and her family, the skill of her lawyers, and the testimony of experts like Dr. Elizabeth Loftus and Dr. Richard Ofshe. She was impressed by the dedication of the legal team and the FMS Foundation's Advisory Board.

Father's Love

A brief poetic reflection on a father's enduring love for his daughter, even when she makes accusations he cannot understand.

Trust is Dead

A mother describes the aftermath of her daughter's accusations against a therapist, leading to the death of the accuser's father and the psychologist's retirement under 'cloudy' circumstances. The daughter now believes the psychologist is evil, and the mother states that trust is dead.

Coming to Grips

This section reflects on the difficulty of processing traumatic events, drawing a parallel to historical figures like Hitler and Stalin, and Hannah Arendt's concept of the 'banality of evil.' The author believes there is no path back to how things were before a personal world 'exploded.'

I Would Love to Have Her Back

A parent expresses their unwillingness to reconcile with their daughter unless she admits her 'false' memory is indeed false. They are uncomfortable with the idea of accepting her narrative without question, fearing it would imply participation in a 'HOAX.'

Hi Mom and Dad

A daughter writes a Valentine's Day message to her parents, expressing gratitude for their love and patience, and acknowledging the journey of understanding their family has taken.

THIS COUNSELLOR LEFT A STENCH BEHIND

Brenda Gillespie writes about her sister's experience with a counselor who, through 'careful coaching,' led her to imagine sordid events. The sister's attempt to force the family to accept her narrative failed due to inconsistencies and the brutal method of disclosure. The sister eventually admitted her original memory was the only one she had, and the family is deeply affected by the ordeal.

Boulder Police Consult Van Derbur

This section addresses calls and letters regarding Marilyn Van Derbur's role as a consultant to the Boulder police in the Ramsey case. It details her appearance on 'AM Live' and her explanation of her history of sex abuse and her expertise. Van Derbur states that child abuse is her life's work and that she has been in touch with many adult sexually violated individuals. The reporter questions the genesis of her memories, which she states emerged after years of therapy and after her father's death.

New Books of Interest

• This section lists several new books related to hysteria, psychology, false memory, and the history of psychiatry, including:
• *Hystories: Hysterical Epidemics and Modern Media* by Elaine Showalter
• *Psychology Astray: Fallacies in Studies of 'Repressed Memory' and Childhood Trauma* by Harrison Pope, M.D.
• *Second Thoughts: Understanding the False Memory Crisis and How It Could Affect You* by Paul Simpson
• *Recovered Memories and False Memories* edited by Martin Conway
• *History of Psychiatry: From the Era of the Asylum to the Age of Prozac* by Edward Shorter

SeminarsPlus, Inc. Events

Announcements for seminars sponsored by SeminarsPlus, Inc., including "IS TRUTH IN JEOPARDY?" True and False Accusations of Sexual Abuse, featuring Richard Gardner, M.D., and Stephen J. Ceci, Ph.D.

FMSF Bulletin Board

The newsletter includes a comprehensive bulletin board listing contacts and meetings for the FMS Foundation across the United States and internationally, including Canada, Australia, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden. It also provides important addresses for professional organizations and state licensing boards.

FMSF Membership Information

Details on how to subscribe to the FMSF Newsletter and information on yearly membership fees for professionals and families, along with options for additional contributions.

Letter to Missing Adult Children from Families of Origin

An announcement from Uptown Publishing Company seeking letters from parents or relatives to family members who have cut off contact, to be compiled into a book. The submission deadline is June 30, 1997.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the critique of repressed memory therapy, multiple personality disorder, and the reliability of psychiatric testimony. The FMS Foundation, as indicated by its content and the organizations listed, appears to hold a skeptical stance towards the concepts of repressed memory and MPD, viewing them as potentially iatrogenic or politically influenced. The newsletter provides a platform for voices that question these phenomena and advocate for rigorous scientific research and critical evaluation of diagnostic practices in psychology and psychiatry.