False memory syndrome: State of the art [Article in Hebrew]

False memory syndrome: State of the art [Article in Hebrew]

By B. Nemets, E. Witztum and M. Kotle

Harefuah - 2002 Aug; 141(8):726-30, 760

The review describes the heated dispute on the present state of recovered traumatic memories. There are two main schools concerning the status of recovered memories of child abuse. One school believes in their authenticity unconditionally. Those who oppose the authenticity claim False Memory Syndrome1s existence. They describe it as 3a serious form of psychopathology characterized by strongly believed pseudomemories of childhood sexual abuse and condition in which a person1s identity and interpersonal relationships

are centered around a memory of traumatic experience which is objectively false but in which the person strongly believes2. This review presents the allegations of both sides involved in the dispute, with updates of scientific and judicial references and relevant recommendations to care takers.

------------------------------------

From: Beer Sheva Mental Health Center, Faculty of Medical Science, Ben

Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.