‘Memories Of Abuse’ Present Complex Issue

‘Driven by the forces of love, the fragments of the world seek each other so that the world may come into being.”

- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Dear Ms. James: I am flabbergasted that you did not deem it necessary to advise Meg (who wrote to you about an accusation of abuse in her family) of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (1-800 563-3332). This foundation has eminent psychologists and psychiatrists on its board.

I am particularly offended by your concluding remarks: “Something may have happened in your family, and you need to be sure before you make your own accusations. The temptation is to side with what we want to believe or what it is in our best interest to believe. …”

So, if Meg doesn’t buy the accusation, she’s in denial? This reminds me of the bullying tactics utilized by recovered memory therapists. … If you don’t validate these memories, you’re the enemy.

It is most unfortunate that Meg could not have gotten a more balanced and responsible response from someone of your position and status. You may wish to review the enclosed materials. - Martha

Dear Martha: My answer to Meg made it very clear that there were two sides to the “memories of abuse” issue and that I was so concerned with fairness that I was trying to do my own research. That included reading many of the studies that people have sent to me.

I did not want to say that people always or never make up memories or that therapists never or always create them.

I did not cite the book by Elizabeth Loftus, “The Myth of Repressed Memory: False Memories and Allegations of Sexual Abuse,” because I question both her research and her findings.

You seem to feel you know the truth about repressed memory. I don’t think I do.

I am not in awe of eminent psychologists and psychiatrists, but I am curious about what they know and how they know it.

The pre-eminent psychiatrist Sigmund Freud wrote that all incest memories were false. In other words, that incest never happens, but it does.

There have been numerous studies that have validated repressed memories when the offenders and other siblings eventually admitted to being part of acts of abuse. In fact, there are far more “real” cases than “false” cases.

I don’t know if any amount of research will be able to reflect and then determine the truth or falsity of memories that create such deep psychological conflict.

Some victims remember only smells (the sense of smell is closest to the memory areas of the brain so is a very powerful connector to events). Some only remember sounds or feelings.

No research experiment can duplicate the complexity of the human mind as it struggles to create a reality a child can live with.

We have been told that multiple personalities develop out of severe childhood abuse. The victim creates new identities rather than remember.

So what can I do - deny the reality that I know for the one that you prefer? I will be glad to send copies of all the false memory articles and programs you sent me to anyone who wants to know more about this side of the conflict.

Because I see this as so serious to our trust in each other and our respect for counseling and justice, I want to know more. I did not mention my work as an answer for Meg, but only as an indication of how difficult it was to answer her question at all. - Jennifer

xxxx

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Jennifer James The Spokesman-Review