NCJ Number
201293
Date Published
2002
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This chapter first offers a critical analysis of the recent proliferation of literature cautioning mental health professionals to be careful of creating false memories of childhood abuse in their patients, and second offers observations of practical therapeutic practices in the face of such a backlash.
Abstract
The author begins by reviewing the problems associated with the study of dissociative identity disorder (DID) patients’ and their accounts of traumatic experiences. A vast majority of DID patients offer accounts of severe childhood abuse, but most of these claims are met with skepticism, and even overt disbelief, despite the fact that studies have indicated genuine childhood trauma in these patients. The author then turns to an analysis of empirical investigations that point to the possibility of uncovering both true memories of childhood trauma and false, but believed-in, memories during therapeutic interventions. The implications of these findings in terms of how to proceed with therapy are explored. The author discusses his personal experiences of treating trauma patients, with an eye on overcoming the controversy surrounding false memories in an effort to provide the best therapeutic care for the DID patient. The author contends that rather than make recommendations about how to treat such patients, he is merely sharing his experiences in treating traumatized individuals. He further offers a cutting critique of those who do make recommendations about patient care, claiming that many making recommendations are not practitioners who treat DID patients. In conclusion, the author cautions mental health professionals to not be scared away from offering sound therapeutic work to DID patients by the debates surrounding false memories of childhood abuse. The legitimate clinical needs of trauma patients should overshadow timidity in the face of controversy. References