I have worked with some patients who have "recovered memories" of childhood abuse. My stance regarding the truth of their memories is "I don't know." In most cases I believe something happened to them, because their symptoms are consistent with their memories. In most cases they have some memories of abuse which are continuous memories, and these are often consistent with the recovered memories. We work with the material from the past when it gets in the way in the present. The memories are real for the patient, and that is what is most important in therapy. I do not encourage them to confront parents or other abusers, because this is seldom helpful and often hurtful. It is extremely important not to ask leading questions or to suggest that certain events may have occurred.
I also have a friend whose daughter accused him of incest in the past. I have seen the devastating impact that this has had on him and on his family. This is a complex and difficult area; and more will be written and argued in the next few years. I do believe that there is middle ground, and that careful therapy can help heal the wounds of trauma. We, as therapists, certainly need to "be careful out there"...
Last updated 5/6/06
- More information on memory and trauma is available in the book Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society by van der Kolk, McFarlane, and Weisaeth.
- State-dependent memory, learning, and behavior is discussed in detail in The Psychobiology of Mind-Body Healing by Ernest Rossi.
