Dissociation and the Fragmentary Nature of Traumatic Memories: Introduction

In America, major social issues tend to get played out in the courts, which is no guarantee of scientific integrity or truth. The ‘false memory syndrome’ originates in the story of one family tragedy that has become a symbol for deep divisions in the social fabric .

‘False memory syndrome’; ‘recovered memory therapy’; ‘implantation of false memories’; by now, any American who reads the newspapers, reads the weekly news magazines, or watches television has heard these seemingly credible and scientificsounding words. Therapists of all persuasions are routinely told by friends, relatives and even colleagues that they understand how easy it is for therapists to implant false memories of abuse (always referring only to sexual abuse) in the minds of their unwary and disturbed patients. Lawsuits against therapists for practising ‘recovered memory therapy’ are proliferating. Some therapists are being picketed, their patients harassed, the privacy of their homes invaded . Attempts are being made in several states to introduce legislation that would disallow any therapy that had not been proven ‘safe and effective’ by the standards similar to those used to test new drugs and that would allow a patient's relatives, even against the wishes of the patient, to sue the therapist for malpractice .

Sadly, there are several important things missing from this picture. One is that there is as yet no peer-reviewed, published study that supports the view that ‘false memory syndrome’ exists. Another is that there is no apparent way to distinguish between ‘recovered memory therapy’ and any other form of therapy that includes taking a good history from a patient. Another is that there is no scientifically validated evidence to support the proposition that it is possible to implant entire memories of traumatic events into anyone's mind. And finally, there has yet to be a balanced presentation about the vast body of theoretical and research data, deriving from several different disciplines and