False Memory Syndrome Foundation - Vol 11 No 02 - 2002 marapril

Magazine Overview

This issue of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) Newsletter, dated March/April 2002, marks the organization's 10th year and addresses the ongoing challenges related to false memories and recovered memory therapy. The newsletter acknowledges a decrease in cases but stresses that families still require support and that the problem has not been solved.

Editorial Stance and Key Themes

The editorial highlights two crucial steps for families: improving communication and ensuring therapists use safe, evidence-based practices. It criticizes the mental health profession for not widely adopting recommended therapies, calling it an "indictment." The newsletter notes the continued climate of over-reaction in sex-abuse cases, often linked to divorce and custody disputes, but also observes a decline in the recovered-memory movement. The reasons for this decline are explored, with legal actions against negligent therapists cited as a significant factor.

Legal Strategies and "Science Intensive Litigation"

Attorney Christopher Barden, Ph.D., details the success of "science intensive litigation" in psychotherapy negligence lawsuits. This approach utilizes multidisciplinary teams to educate juries on scientific methodologies and expose the flaws in defense experts' theories, such as "dissociation" and "recovered memories." Barden contrasts the qualifications of plaintiff experts (e.g., Loftus, McHugh) with those of defense experts, emphasizing the educational disparities that jurors recognized. He argues that a "science-law team" is now a minimal standard for legal practice, especially in complex cases, and that failing to consult experts can lead to legal malpractice claims.

Research and Case Studies

The newsletter features several articles and case summaries:

• "Memory for Memory": This research by Joslyn et al. suggests that people may overestimate the accuracy of their memories, potentially inferring them from an "inflated analysis of their own abilities" rather than recalling explicit memories.
• "Are Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions Practiced by Clinicians in the Field?": Sanderson's article points out that despite the availability of evidence-based treatments (EBTs), many practitioners do not use them, citing a lack of skills, inadequate continuing education, and a negative bias toward EBTs.
• "False Confessions and False Memories: A Model for Understanding Retractor's Experiences": Ost, Costall, and Bull explore parallels between false confessions and the recovery of abuse memories, categorizing retractors into voluntary, coerced-compliant, and coerced-internalized groups.
• "Is Child Sexual Abuse Declining?": A Harvard Mental Health Letter article reports a decline in substantiated child sexual abuse cases, though administrators' awareness and understanding of this trend vary.
• "Self-Reported Negative Experiences and Dissociation": Johnson, Edman, and Danko's study suggests that dissociation is linked to a general tendency to report negative experiences, not exclusively traumatic ones, and may share a common basis in neuroticism.
• "The False Litigant Syndrome: 'Nobody Would Say That Unless It Was the Truth'": Scheflin and Brown argue that retractors' claims may be influenced by social factors and expert consultations, casting doubt on the veracity of their recovered memories. They note a high percentage of DID/DDNOS diagnoses among retractors, suggesting potential issues with the legitimacy of these diagnoses.

Legal Corner Cases

• Kidd vs Our Lady of the Lake: Frances Kidd was awarded $182,516 after developing beliefs of fatherly abuse during treatment for anorexia and depression at a hospital. The case highlights the history of false memories and mental health misadventures.
• Settlement in N Carolina (Trivette vs Coward): Robin Trivette settled a case against psychologist Lynn Coward after her symptoms worsened following recommendations to read "The Courage to Heal."
• The Teachers' Nightmare (Michael Gallagher): Michael Gallagher, a teacher, recounts his experience of being falsely accused of sexual molestation by a former student, detailing the police investigation, his arrest, and eventual exoneration. He notes the prevalence of similar false accusations against teachers.

FMSF Activities and Future Outlook

Allen Feld's column, "Ten Years, Significant Change," reflects on the FMSF's decade of work. He notes the growth of literature on false memories, the consensus on the need for external corroboration, and a suspected decrease in lawsuits against parents. The FMSF has focused on public education, assisting attorneys, and documenting issues, rather than direct family intervention, due to its limited resources. The organization continues to support families seeking reunification and acknowledges that not all families may achieve this goal.

Memories Reflect: Our Current Views

This section features Jennifer Hoult, who won a lawsuit against her father and appeared on a BBC radio program discussing her flashbacks. Her testimony from a 1993 court case is contrasted with her current views, illustrating how therapy can lead individuals to acquire knowledge of past abuse that they did not previously possess. The section also references the controversy surrounding the book "Sybil" and the concept of "multiple personality disorder."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The newsletter consistently advocates for scientific rigor in understanding memory and psychotherapy. It criticizes the uncritical acceptance of recovered memories and the use of unproven therapeutic techniques. The FMSF champions evidence-based practices and supports legal recourse against negligent therapists. There is a strong emphasis on the potential for harm caused by certain therapeutic approaches and the importance of protecting individuals, particularly children, from false accusations. The overall stance is one of promoting accurate information, ethical practice, and justice within the mental health and legal systems.

The FMS Foundation Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 2, published in March/April 2002, is a periodical focused on issues related to false memory syndrome, recovered memories, and their impact on individuals and families. The issue includes personal accounts from readers, information on the definition and history of false memory, and announcements for relevant conferences and meetings.

From Our Readers

This section features personal contributions from readers. Jaye D. Bartha shares a heartwarming Christmas experience, reflecting on the unexpected delights of the holiday season, particularly the joy of hearing her parents' laughter over the phone and the profound gift of writing a letter to a stranger. She mentions her own past recuperation from repressed memory therapy and her hope to shed light on a friend's daughter's struggles with repressed memories, believing her parents are not caring people.

Another reader, identified as 'A Mom,' shares her experience with her daughter who became an FMS statistic eleven years prior. The daughter was diagnosed with MPD (Multiple Personality Disorder) caused by intergenerational satanic ritual abuse and sexual abuse. This led to her divorcing her family, attempting suicide, and living with disability and SSI. The mother details the long and difficult process of trying to reconcile with her daughter, including attempts to involve a mediator and the daughter's initial hostile response. However, after several years, a breakthrough occurred when the daughter, dealing with her sister's life-threatening cancer, began to question her own accusations. The mother notes that her daughter's involvement in Al-anon meetings, emphasizing personal responsibility rather than blame, was a significant turning point. The article concludes with a hopeful note about the daughter's improved behavior and a tentative step towards renewed family connection.

A second 'A Mom' contribution details the journey of reconciliation with her daughter, who had made accusations after years of counseling. The daughter's shift in perspective began after attending Al-anon meetings, where the focus was on personal responsibility and taking charge of one's situation, rather than blaming others. This led her to question her previous accusations against her parents. The mother expresses joy at having her daughter back in her life, even if the daughter remains guarded about discussing her therapy or beliefs.

A third 'A Mom' shares an update on her daughter's reconciliation process. After 18 years of estrangement, her son reached out due to his sister's aggressive, life-threatening cancer. The sister, despite her illness, held onto a 'rewritten and false history' and refused contact. The son attempted to bridge the gap, but the sister ultimately forgave him for reconnecting with the family but insisted her whereabouts remain secret. The mother received a call from her son early December 2001, informing her that her daughter had passed away without seeing her. The maternal side of the family did not want the father and stepmother at the memorial service, but the son ensured their attendance. The mother reflects on the difficulty of the experience and the closure it provided, despite not seeing her daughter before she died.

False Memory Definitions

The newsletter provides definitions of 'False Memory' from the New Oxford American Dictionary and OED Online. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines it as a psychological term for an apparent recollection of an event that did not actually occur, especially one of childhood sexual abuse arising from suggestions during psychotherapy. The OED Online definition is similar, noting it as the reporting of a memory of an event that did not occur, or the apparent recollection, especially during psychotherapy, of childhood sexual abuse. It also mentions that historically, such instances were considered forms of paramnesia and might now be regarded as delusion or confabulation. Several historical quotes from various publications dating from 1876 to 1997 are included to illustrate the concept's evolution and usage.

Conference Announcement

An announcement for a one-day conference titled "From Rumor to Reason: Accusations of Child Sexual Abuse: Current Scientific, Legal, and Cultural Perspectives" is featured. The conference is scheduled for April 13, 2002, at McConomy Hall, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh. It targets psychologists, attorneys, social workers, and law enforcement personnel. Speakers include Mark Pendergrast, Terence W. Campbell, Ph.D., and Jack Quattrocchi, Esq. Contact information for Kathy Begert is provided for more details.

"Recovered Memories: Are They Reliable?"

This section offers free pamphlets from the FMS Foundation on the topic of recovered memories, encouraging readers to call or write to request them.

Bulletin Board

A comprehensive list of FMS Foundation contacts and meetings across the United States and internationally is provided. This includes contact persons and meeting times for various states and Canadian provinces, as well as for Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The deadline for submitting meeting notices for the May/June Newsletter is April 15.

Foundation Information and Support

The FMS Foundation's copyright information, address, phone, fax, email, and website are listed. Pamela Freyd, Ph.D., is identified as the Executive Director. The FMSF Scientific and Professional Advisory Board is listed with its members and their affiliations, dated March 1, 2002. The newsletter also provides information on how to receive electronic versions and notices via email. The False Memory Syndrome Foundation is described as a qualified 501(c)3 corporation. It clarifies that it has no affiliates and no other organization is authorized to speak for it without prior written approval. Information on membership dues and contributions is also included. The newsletter is published 6 times a year and is available via mail for a contribution of at least $30.00, or at no cost via email or the website. A section encourages contributions, with a form for Visa, Mastercard, Discover, or check/money order.

Save These Dates

A notice for a conference on Family Reconciliation is announced for Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, 2002.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the personal impact of false memory syndrome, the complexities of family reconciliation after estrangement, and the role of therapy in these processes. The FMS Foundation's stance appears to be one of providing support, information, and a platform for individuals affected by these issues, while also engaging with the scientific and legal communities through conferences and advisory boards. The newsletter emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and healing, as seen in the reader accounts, and aims to foster understanding and dialogue around the sensitive topic of memory and trauma.