During the process of psychotherapy, if a patient recovers a memory of a particularly traumatic event, what evidence does the therapist have that this recovered memory is valid? The validity of recovered memories has been a fiercely debated topic in psychoanalytical circles, as well as legal circles, and for great reason too.
Studies, on either side of the debate, have presented compelling evidence illustrating how their position is correct versus the other and vice versa. At the very core of the concept is an ethical and philosophical matter, one which asks the very question as to what these memories could be if they are not actual recovered memories (Brenneis, 2000).
Since the issue of recovered memories is ethical and philosophical in nature, if at least one situation can be found whereby enough evidence substantiates the existence of them, then they should be construed as accurate until proven otherwise.
The limitation of ethically studying recovered memories comes from the basis that the only way to disprove their existence would be to attempt to insert traumatic memories into subjects. Specifically, most literature points to child sexual abuse as being the absolute most horrific of events for which recovered memories holds the most concern.
Future research into the recovered memory debate could include more detailed brain analysis and attention to post traumatic stress disorders of military veterans for example as a way to supplement the already growing body of work.
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