The Truth About Buried Memories

People often wonder if it's possible to forget something terrible that happened to them. This question is at the heart of a popular book by Amy Griffin, who claims to have recovered memories of abuse after trying a controversial therapy. Griffin, a successful investor, has gained significant attention for her story, with influential figures like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon backing her memoir. The book has been praised for its unique perspective on abuse and the pressure women face to achieve perfection. Griffin's journey began when her daughter expressed feeling disconnected from her. This led Griffin to seek help from a therapist who uses MDMA, a psychedelic drug, in his sessions. MDMA therapy is not yet approved by the US government, but it has shown promise in helping patients with trauma and PTSD. Griffin's therapy sessions led her to recall memories of being sexually assaulted by a teacher when she was a preteen. She describes these memories as both horrifying and cathartic. However, the idea of repressed memories is not widely accepted by scientists. Most research psychologists and neuroscientists believe that such memories are unlikely. The concept of repressed memories was first proposed by Sigmund Freud, but he later abandoned it. In the 1980s, therapists revived the idea to explain claims of Satanic ritual abuse, which were later found to be false. Despite this, some therapists still believe in the possibility of recovered memories. The science of memory is complex. Research shows that people who experience trauma are more likely to remember it accurately, not less. Memories are not like files that can be buried and then unearthed. Instead, they are neural patterns that can be overwritten. Traumatic memories are typically quick to form and hard to overwrite. It's possible that factors like suggestion or hallucinations during therapy could lead a person to believe they have recovered a memory. Griffin's story raises important questions about how we should approach claims of repressed memories. While it's crucial to believe survivors of abuse, we must also consider the science of memory. Therapists who work directly with patients are more likely to believe in the possibility of recovered memories, but the scientific evidence is not there. It's a complex issue, and there are no easy answers. The best approach may be to acknowledge the uncertainty and continue to provide support and therapy to those who need it.