False Memory Syndrome (Recovered Memories)

False memories are fantasies -- often therapy induced -- masquerading as memories that seem very real to the person who has such recollections.

They often involves accusations and allegations of incest, Satanic Ritual Abuse, or cult involvement.

The concept of False Memory Syndrome is not recognized as an official mental health diagnosis, but the principle that memories can be fabricated, distorted or misinterpreted (i.e. confabulation) or altered by outside influences is overwhelmingly accepted by scientists.

Christian Therapist Beware of False Memory Syndrome by Chaplain Paul G. Durbin, Diretor of Pastoral Care. Pendleton Memorial Methodist Hospital. New Orleans, La.
Controversy is a constant for memory researcher Elizabeth Loftus The Orange County Register, Nov. 3, 2002. See also Elizabeth Loftus
Recovered Memories and the Holocaust by Mark Pendergrast, writing about "Binjamin Wilkomirski"
Recovered Memory Therapy and False Memory Syndrome (CONTRA) by John Hochman, M.D. Article from Skeptic Magazine

Making Monsters: False Memories, Psychotherapy, and Sexual Hysteria" by Richard Ofshe and Ethan Watters
The Myth of Repressed Memory: False Memories and Allegation of Sexual Abuse by Dr. Elizabeth Loftus and Katherine Ketchum
Return of the Furies - An Investigation into Recovered Memory Therapy by Hollida Wakefield and Ralph Underwager
Second Thoughts by Paul Simpson. "Once a leading practitioner of Recovered Memory Therapy, Dr. Paul Simpson concludes that he had been "horrifically wrong", and that the movement has contributed to untold suffering in families where there have been false accusations of sexual abuse."
The Seven Sins of Memory : How the Mind Forgets and Remembers by Lenore Terr, M.D. (Subject: How memory works
Therapy's Delusions : The Myth of the Unconscious and the Exploitation of Today's Walking Worried by Ethan Watters and Richard Ofshe
Witness for the Defense: The Accused, the Eyewitness and the Expert Who Puts Memory on Trial by Elizabeth Loftus and Katherine Ketcham

Frequently Asked Questions ... about the False Memory Syndrome Foundation. Good introduction to FMS issues.

» Google News Predefined Search. If current news is available on this topic, you will find it here.
» Religion News Blog RNB logs current and archived news about religious cults, sects, alternative religions and related issues.

Database of archived news items on brainwashing
(Includes items added between Oct. 25, 1999 and Jan. 31, 2002. See about this database)
» For newer items, see Religion News Blog

Older items:
(Sep. 3, 1999) Jury finds therapist negligent in repressed-memory lawsuit
(Sep. 3, 1999) Psychiatrist found negligent in repressed-memory case
(May 14, 1999) Fed. Court Doesn't Buy Into Plaintiff's Repressed Memory Claim
(May 11, 1999) Recovered memory theory derided as `junk science'
(Oct. 7, 1998) Psychiatrist loses bid to dismiss false-memory case
(Oct. 6, 1998) Ex-patient tells of earlier cult memories
(Sep. 29, 1998) Ex-patient tells of bid to save son after cult diagnosis by therapists

» Elizabeth Loftus
» McMartin Preschool case
» Satanic and/or ritual abuse and related issues

False Memory Syndrome Facts (Pro)
False Memory Syndrome Foundation (Contra)