A false memory is a memory of an event that did not happen or is a distortion of an event that did occur as determined by externally corroborated facts.
Our sense of identity, of who we are and what we have done, is tied to our memories, and it can be disturbing to have those challenged. Amnesia, Alzheimer's disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder (also known as “shell-shock”) provide examples of dramatic loss of memory, with devastating effects on the sufferer and those around them.
More on [ False memory ]
Memory Controversies :: Mental Health

Book Examines Controversy Over Children's Testimony - Review of Jeopardy in the Courtroom, a book arguing that children are vulnerable to having their testimony and their memories distorted.
Meta Description: [ APA news release highlights findings discussed in Jeopardy in the Courtroom: A Scientific Analysis of Childrens Testimony, a book providing comprehensive treatment of the reliability of young childrens testimony. ]
British False Memory Syndrome - News, legal information and events for people and professionals in contested accusations of abuse.
Meta Description: [ The British False Memory Society reviews the Key Issues in the Recovered Memory/False Memory debate ]
Commission for Scientific Medicine and Mental Health - This organization recommends a scientific basis for the practice of medicine and mental health counseling. They also recommend informed consent for the mental health community.
Meta Description: [ This organization is providing a scientific basis for guiding
therapists and their clients with practice guidelines for safe and effective treatment. They are
also recommending the use of informed consent for the mental health community. ]
Elizabeth Loftus - Biography and University of Washington faculty page for Loftus, including information on her books about the legal aspect of FMS, and articles on recovered memories.
Meta Description: [ Elizabeth Loftus homepage ]
False Memory Syndrome Foundation - News and informational site for FMSF, an organization that seeks to discover the reasons for the spread of FMS, to work for ways to prevent it, to aid those who were affected by it, and to bring their families into reconciliation.
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False Rape, Abuse and Molest Reports - Details accounts of reportedly false accusations; also includes links pertaining to this topic.
Illinois-Wisconsin FMS Society - Support and networking for those hurt by recovered (or repressed) memory therapy. Includes news, articles, meeting calendar, and contacts information.
Ingram Organization - Article by Daniel Brailey. The prosecution of a false memory: an update on the Paul Ingram case; Spokane, Washington.
Institute for Psychological Therapies - Private practice of clinical psychology, offering Issues in Child Abuse Accusations and other online publications.
Memory Repression/Recovery Resources - Articles and resources providing research and information about repression and/or recovery of traumatic memories.
Meta Description: [ Memory Repression/Recovery Resources at The Zero. Articles and resources related to repression and/or recovery of traumatic memories. ]
Parents Against Cruel Therapy (PACT) - Site focused on issue of young women who have entered therapy and have been led to falsely believe that they were sexually abused as a child. Articles and links.
Meta Description: [ Thousands of women suffer terribly, even losing their families, after after treatment by incompetent psychotherapists. ]
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Repressed Memory Syndrome - Joseph P. Murphy, M.D., FACP, argues against the repressed memories fad in psychology, presenting statistics, overturned court cases, and medical opinion.
Stop Bad Therapy - Personal accounts of retractors, legislative information, satire, the debunking of experts, and essays on recovered memories.
Victims of Memory - Information about a book on repression and recovered memories, by Mark Pendergrast.
Victims of Memory Select Bibliography - Basic reading list on both sides of the recovered memory debate, with a few classic works on memory and hypnosis.
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