Counselling Central

False Memory Syndrome (FMS) is an expression that was first used in the early nineties. It was coined by the False Memory Syndrome Foundation (FMSF) to describe adults who mistakenly remember being abused in childhood. The FMSF believe that when we are sufficiently motivated, we can change what we remember – sometimes referred to as ’imagination inflation’. Their theory has caused controversy ever since its introduction.

Several Psychologists (such as Freud and Scheflin) agree that it is possible for memories to be repressed by the conscious mind, particularly after a traumatic event. The FMSF believe that certain therapies, which they refer to as ‘recovered memory therapies’ (RMT), such as hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and self help media, can influence adults to falsely remember repressed memories – particularly when they are motivated to do so.

In the United States there have been several high profile malpractise cases in recent years. Adults have sued a family member after recovering memories of abuse whilst in therapy, only for the family member to file a lawsuit against the therapist for encouraging false memories.

It is worth noting that while FMS has been linked to childhood abuse, alien abduction cases and past life experiences, it is a hypothetical construct that has never been empirically proven.