PATIENTS WHO MAKE FALSE ALLEGATIONS
by Dr Richard Hall
Following is an excerpt from this article which may be accessed here. Dr. Hall maintains a private practice in psychiatry and forensic psychiatry in Lake Mary, Florida. He is also a Courtesy Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Florida, College of Medicine Gainesville, Florida.
The concepts of “where there’s smoke, there’s fire” and there has to be “at least a grain of truth” in every allegation are often evoked to further justify elaborate and extensive investigations, which can place the accused in the unfortunate and impossible position of trying to disprove a negative. As Chairman of a state Ethics Committee, we have reviewed many allegations that are patently preposterous. There is rarely difficulty in dealing with complaints of abductions by aliens or physicians employed by the KGB. Conversely, investigative, feminist, and religious passions are regularly raised by any hint that a healthcare provider has been sexually, interpersonally, or socially inappropriate with a patient. Charges of child abuse, incest and sexual misconduct by police are other allegations that psychiatrists are frequently called upon to evaluate. Several authors have reviewed specific types of false complaints.
In an interesting letter written to Robert Wallace’s Talking With Teens column, a teenager wrote “Dear Dr. Wallace: I need your advice — and make it fast. My best friend hates her stepfather. About a month ago, she told me she was going to tell the police that he molested her sexually even though it wasn’t true. Well, last week she did just that and has caused a big stink. Her stepfather had to hire a lawyer to defend himself even though he was 100% innocent. He was also tossed out of their house by my friend’s mom. The main reason she hates her stepfather is that he made her break up with her 19-year-old boyfriend. My friend is 14. The only people who know that this man is innocent is my friend, her boyfriend, who also hates him, and me. So that means I am the only one who can save him. What should I do? I really don’t want to lose my best friend, and if I speak the truth, I know that she will never talk to me again.” Dr. Wallace advised the teen to talk to her parents and let them know that her best friend was lying and that the stepfather never molested her. He suggested that her parents then talk to the mother and contact the police. This case illustrates revenge as a motive for making a false allegation.
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