They discard their old identities as parents and professionals, and redefine themselves as abuse victims. They turn cold to their parents, often denouncing them in Mao-like struggle sessions. No pain, no gain. Therapists dig deeper, and unearth more memories. The pain gets worse.
Some patients lose their jobs, abandon their spouse and children, and check into the hospital.
Some even attempt suicide, and a few succeed. And yes, the therapists and hospitals get paid. Memory recovery is a business. Hundreds of millions of dollars has been paid out over the last dozen years, Ofshe writes, half to three-quarters of it by insurance companies and the government. Patients have paid out tens of thousands, and some have had to sell their homes.