Interesting news piece. Just think what they would do with Anna O? Or
is that already being done? re: the mpd hindsight analyses? Was deja vu
ever a "sign" of mpd? Ws dja vu evr a "sin" of mpd? Have a fun weekend,
Gary Peterson
G. Peterson, Gerald Peterson, Gary Peterson
Gerry and Pete Peterson, aka Nosretep
Saginaw Valley State Univ.
>
>
>Milwaukee Journal-Sentintinal (AP WIRE) Sept. 2, 1999
>
>Jury reaches verdict in negligence trial focusing on memories
>
>WAUSAU, Wis. (AP) - A jury awarded a family about $850,000 Thursday,
>finding that a psychiatrist negligently treated a woman who accused him
>of implanting false childhood memories of sexual abuse and sex with
>animals.
>
>A 15-person Marathon County jury deliberated about 25 hours following
>five weeks of testimony from some of the country's leading psychiatrists
>in a trial that focused on repressed-memory therapy, including the use of
>hypnosis, and the diagnosis of multiple personality disorder.
>
>"In my view, there is no defense for this kind of therapy. If that means
>that this is now a message that this stuff has to stop, I hope the
>message is delivered," said William Smoler, an attorney for Joan Hess and
>her family.
>
>"This is a vindication this craziness was not her fault," he said.
>
>Mrs. Hess and her family accused Dr. Juan Fernandez III of implanting
>false memories during hypnosis, leading her to believe she was sexually
>abused by her father, that she had more than 75 personalities and that
>her parents were members of a cult that forced others to have sex with
>animals and witness babies being killed and eaten.
>
>Mrs. Hess, 47, the ex-wife of former Wausau Mayor John Hess, contended
>none of things brought up in the memories occurred, and the ordeal of
>believing that they did permanently harmed her.
>
>She contended some of the personalities caused her to threaten suicide,
>forcing her to be hospitalized numerous times.
>
>The jury awarded Mrs. Hess about $450,000 for past and future medical
>expenses and past and future pain and suffering. Each of her two
>daughters were awarded $190,000 and her ex-husband was awarded $31,500.
>
>Smoler had told the jury his bill for expert testimony in the trial was
>$150,000. He declined to reveal how much in legal expenses would be paid
>from the $850,000.
>
>"There certainly will be money left for that family. I can't tell you how
>much that is going to add up to," he said.
>
>Fernandez's attorney, Tom Rusboldt, called the verdict disappointing and
>said he was unsure what the decision would mean to Fernandez's career.
>The state agency that licenses doctors will be notified of the verdict,
>Rusboldt said.
>
>Fernandez, who started a private psychiatry practice in Wausau in 1991,
>declined to comment as he left the courtroom wearing a necktie that
>featured a drawing of Daffy Duck.
>
>A decision will be made later on whether to appeal the verdict, Rusboldt
>said.
>
>The jury answered eight questions, finding Fernandez was negligent in his
>diagnosis of Mrs. Hess' emotional problems, in his failure to explain the
>riskiness of his treatment of her, including that any memories that were
>recovered could be false, and in getting her consent for it.
>
>Repressed-memory therapy contends victims of childhood trauma can forget
>the abuse for decades and later be cured of adult disorders by recovering
>their memories of the trauma.
>
>Fernandez began caring for Mrs. Hess in 1991 by monitoring the medication
>she was taking to treat depression while she was getting counseling from
>another therapist because of stress in her marriage and at work.
>
>Fernandez eventually authorized several hospitalizations for Mrs. Hess
>because she was suicidal and he took over her care, including hypnosis.
>The care continued until 1994.
>
>The trial featured more than 1,000 exhibits, including thousands of pages
>of medical notes by Fernandez and writings by Mrs. Hess in a journal.
>
>Smoler predicted the verdict would help Mrs. Hess put her life back
>together.
>
>"How could Joan not have had questions about how did this happen and why
>did this happen," the attorney said. "I think that has been explained to
>her. I hope that means there will be some closure and she can understand
>it wasn't just herself going crazy."
>
>Smoler said some managed health care companies now refuse to accept
>psychiatrists who use recovered-memory therapy, do hypnosis and have
>patients diagnosed with multiple personality disorder.
>
>"You ought not to do this kind of therapy. Period," he said.
>
>Last Updated: Sept. 2, 1999 at 3:41:16 p.m.
>http://www.jsonline.com/WI/090299/wi--repressedmemories090299.asp
>
