The Myth of Repressed Memory

The myth of repressed memory suggests that individuals can completely forget traumatic experiences and later recover those memories, often under therapy. However, research indicates that while the mind can distort memories, true repressed memories are rare. More commonly, memories can be altered or falsely created, especially in suggestive therapeutic settings. This has raised concerns about the reliability of recovered memories, as they may not accurately reflect real events. Understanding this helps distinguish between legitimate memory issues and potential inaccuracies that can arise from suggestive practices or the brain's complex nature of memory processing.