Psychiatrists Warned over Tapping into Forgotten Memories

Rachel Ellis, 
Britain's Press Association Limited, October 1, 1997

Psychiatrists were today warned not to try to uncover forgotten memories of childhood sexual abuse through hypnosis, dream interpretation or regression therapy.

Guidelines issued today by the Royal College of Psychiatrists outlined the dangers of "memory recovery techniques" which can distort memories or create false memories of abuse. The recommendations on good practice state these techniques have no role in revealing past experiences and must be avoided. Forceful and persuasive interviewing techniques are also banned in the new guidelines.

The report follows years of controversy about False Memory Syndrome in which counsellors and therapists claimed they had uncovered suppressed memories of abuse. While allegations of false memories are still relatively unheard of in Britain, in America they are much more common and have led to devastation in many families.

The RCP set up the working group led by Professor Sydney Brandon, retired professor of psychiatry at Leicester University, after it became concerned that some mental health workers, including psychiatrists, had been carrying out recovered memory techniques.

Commenting on the publication of the report today, Prof Brandon, said:

"Reported recovered memories constitute an area of great contention which is extremely emotive and sensitive."

Under the new guidelines, psychiatrists are encouraged to 

"share with patients whatever doubts they may have about the historical accuracy of recovered memories of previously forgotten abuse". 

It advises professionals not to encourage confrontation with the alleged abuser and to "resist vigorously" compulsory reporting of suspicions of long past abuse. However, mandatory reporting is entirely appropriate when children spontaneously describe current or recent abuse.

The report also recommends that psychiatrists should be particularly wary of accepting uncorroborated claims of previous sexual abuse by people who show signs of multiple personality disorders. The RCP is also calling for more research to be done in the field and greater training for professionals on the subject. Prof Brandon added: "It is essential to examine further the relationship between different forms of sexual abuse in childhood and the wide range of mental health problems resulting from it in adult life."