
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, February 10, 1994                   TAG: 9402090064
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Ann Landers
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`FALSE MEMORIES' CAN RUIN FAMILIES

DEAR ANN: Two years ago, my grown daughter, who had a lot of personal problems, gained a great deal of weight. She sought counseling from a therapist who introduced her to the concept of repressed memory. She was encouraged by this therapist to explore her past for sexual abuse. Her therapist concluded that I had abused her.

Facts that directly contradict her allegations meant nothing. The experiences and memories of her older siblings, who for years shared all of her daily life, meant nothing.

By her definition, it is impossible for me to be innocent, because either I am lying, or if I really can't remember, I am repressing the memory. Her brothers' and sisters' attitudes have made them "co-conspirators."

I have lost a wonderful child in a cruel and terrible way. She needs help, and I cannot reach her. She is as much a victim as I am. Can you help? ANGUISHED AND LOST

DEAR FRIEND: You are not alone. The following letter was written by a reader who shares your problem. The advice I give to her also will apply to you:

DEAR ANN: A horrible injustice is being perpetrated against people who are unable to defend themselves. I hope you will help get the truth out.

By now, I'm sure you must be aware that some therapists are leading vulnerable and distraught clients to believe that all their problems are the result of having been sexually abused when they were very young. The clients are unaware of this until the therapists "restore" their "repressed memories."

Therapists are accomplishing this fraud by using the power of their position coupled with the naive assumption by the average person that a member of the healing profession would not deliberately harm them.

The methodology used by these therapists has become a well-defined pattern. These vulnerable and trusting clients seek help for ill-defined problems. The therapist may tell the clients that they have been abused sexually or satanically and then influence them through hypnosis, suggestion, group pressure, etc., until the clients actually believe it.

One needs to be very careful in evaluating "unremembered" memories of early childhood that suddenly are "recovered." Please tell your readers that forgotten incidents can sometimes be recalled, but current practice among some therapists is to encourage such beliefs when, in fact, they never occurred. Please tell us where we can go for help. ANOTHER VICTIM IN CALIFORNIA

DEAR CALIFORNIA: I've received a great number of letters on this subject in the past year and printed one recently. Apparently you missed it.

Those who seek help with this problem should contact the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. The foundation has received calls from almost 10,000 families in the past months, relating their own experiences and requests for help. The American Medical Association recently passed a resolution to evaluate the validity of techniques used to help patients recall childhood abuse.

The address of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation is: FMS Foundation, Suite 130, 3401 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, or call (800) 568-8882.

GEM OF THE DAY: Most people don't lie; they merely present the truth in such a way that nobody recognizes it. Creators Syndicate

by CNB