Editing Repressed memory (section)

{{Short description|Theory that memory may be stored in the unconscious mind}}
{{see also|Repression (psychoanalysis)|Recovered-memory therapy|Freud's seduction theory}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2016}}

'''Repressed memory''' is a controversial, and [[Pseudoscience|largely scientifically discredited]], psychiatric phenomenon which involves an inability to [[autobiographical memory|recall autobiographical information]], usually of a traumatic or stressful nature.<ref name="LoftusKetchum">{{cite book |last1=Loftus |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Ketchum |first2=Katherine |title=The Myth of Repressed Memory: False Memories and Allegations of Sexual Abuse |url=https://archive.org/details/mythofrepressedm00loft_0 |url-access=registration |date=1994 |publisher=St. Martins Press |location=New York, NY |isbn=0312114540}}</ref> The concept originated in [[psychoanalysis|psychoanalytic theory]] where [[repression (psychoanalysis)|repression]] is understood as a [[defense mechanism]] that excludes painful experiences and unacceptable impulses from consciousness.<ref>{{Cite web |title=repression |url=https://dictionary.apa.org/repression |access-date=7 December 2022 |website=APA Dictionary of Psychology}}</ref> Repressed memory is presently considered largely unsupported by research.<ref name="LoftusKetchum"/> [[Sigmund Freud]] initially claimed the memories of historical [[childhood trauma]] could be repressed, while unconsciously influencing present behavior and emotional responding; he later revised this belief.

While the concept of repressed memories persisted through much of the 1990s, insufficient support exists to conclude that memories can become inconspicuously hidden in a way that is distinct from forgetting.<ref name=McNally2004>{{cite journal | author = McNally, R.J. | year = 2004 | title = The Science and Folklore of Traumatic Amnesia | journal = Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice | volume = 11 | issue = 1 | pages = 29–33 | doi = 10.1093/clipsy/bph056}}</ref><ref name="pmid15279316">{{cite journal |author=McNally RJ |title=Is traumatic amnesia nothing but psychiatric folklore? |journal=Cogn Behav Ther |volume=33 |issue=2 |pages=97–101; discussion 102–4, 109–11 |year=2004 |pmid=15279316 |doi=10.1080/16506070410021683|s2cid=22884436 }}</ref><ref name=Debunking>{{cite journal |author=McNally RJ |title=Debunking myths about trauma and memory |journal=Can J Psychiatry |volume=50 |issue=13 |pages=817–22 |year=2005 |pmid=16483114 |doi=10.1177/070674370505001302|s2cid=9069287 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="pmid17803876">{{cite journal|last1=McNally|first1=RJ|title=Dispelling confusion about traumatic dissociative amnesia|journal=Mayo Clinic Proceedings|date=September 2007|volume=82|issue=9|pages=1083–90|pmid=17803876|doi=10.4065/82.9.1083|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref name="Otgaar">{{cite journal |last1=Otgaar |first1=Henry |last2=Howe |first2=Mark |last3=Patihis |first3=Lawrence |last4=Merckelbach |first4=Harald |last5=Lynn |first5=Stephen |last6=Lilienfeld |first6=Scott |last7=Loftus |first7=Elizabeth |title=The return of the repressed: The persistent and problematic claims of long-forgotten trauma |journal=Perspectives on Psychological Science |volume=14 |issue=6 |pages=1072–1095 |date=2019 |doi=10.1177/1745691619862306 |pmid=31584864 |pmc=6826861 }}</ref> Historically, some psychoanalysts provided therapy based on the belief that alleged repressed memories could be recovered, however, rather than promoting the recovery of a real repressed memory, such attempts could result in the creation of entirely false memories.<ref name="amicus">Amicus Curiae brief in {{cite court |litigants=Taus v. Loftus |vol=|reporter= |opinion= |pinpoint= |court=Supreme Court of California | date = February 21, 2006 |url=}}</ref><ref name="abc">{{Cite web |last=Watters |first=Ethan |date=September 27, 2022 |title=The Forgotten Lessons of the Recovered Memory Movement |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/27/opinion/recovered-memory-therapy-mental-health.html |website=The New York Times}}</ref><ref name="pmid17803876" /> Subsequent accusations based on such "recovered memories" led to substantial harm of individuals implicated as perpetrators, sometimes resulting in false convictions and years of incarceration.<ref name="LoftusKetchum"/>

Due to a lack of evidence for the concept of repressed and recovered memories, mainstream clinical psychologists have stopped using these terms. Clinical psychologist [[Richard McNally]] stated: "The notion that traumatic events can be repressed and later recovered is the most pernicious bit of folklore ever to infect psychology and psychiatry. It has provided the theoretical basis for 'recovered memory therapy'—the worst catastrophe to befall the mental health field since the lobotomy era."<ref>{{cite web |last1=McNally |first1=Richard |title=Dr. Richard McNally Letter to the California Supreme Court |url=https://www.religioustolerance.org/rmtmcnally.htm |website=Religious Tolerance |publisher=Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref>