The authenticity of memories of childhood sexual abuse has become one of the major social controversies of the 1990's. As persons who report histories of abuse have sought remedies in civil and criminal proceedings in the courts, the accuracy of their memories--particularly when they have been recalled after a period of time--has been subject to intense scrutiny. This volume brings together many of the leading participants in the debate to provide a comprehensive picture of the psychological, physiological, and legal aspects of trauma. Beginning by defining the opposing positions in the debate, the contributors then offer a variety of perspectives on the nature of memory, including reviews of some of the most exciting recent developments in this fast-growing area of investigation. Next, consideration is given to the impact of trauma on memory, both in adults and in children. With this framework in place, the authors turn to an examination of the variety of treatment approaches available to victims of trauma, who are trying to cope with the painful consequences of those events. The book argues against a unidimensional approach to trauma, calling instead for a multidisciplinary synthesis that includes developmental, neurobiological, cognitive, and psychodynamic perspectives. Chapters address the legal dilemmas for patients, mental health professionals and society as a whole that have arisen from the trauma and memory controversy. Most importantly, the editors shift the focus of their discussion from the laboratory to the courtroom and from the research journal to the psychotherapist's office, looking at the issues from every relevant angle. This is the only book in the field to treat the trauma and memory controversy comprehensively, from basic research on memory processes through clinical approaches to legal and policy issues. Trauma and Memory is a valuable tool for clinicians treating patients with traumatic memories. It is also intended for psychologists, physicians, social workers and lawyers who need a comprehensive reference on trauma and sexual abuse during childhood.

Table of Contents:
I. The Controversy Over the Delayed Recall of Traumatic Memories 1. Some People Recover Memories of Childhood Trauma That Never Really Happened Ira E. Hyman, Jr. (Western Washington University) and Elizabeth F. Loftus (University of Washington) 2. The Argument for the Reality of the Delayed Recall of Trauma Richard P. Kluft (Temple University School of Medicine) II. Current Concepts of Memory 3. Neuroanatomical Correlates of the Effects of Stress on Memory: Relevance to the Validity of Memories of Childhood Abuse J. Douglas Bremner, Steven M. Southwick, John H. Krystal, and Dennis S. Charney (All: Yale University School of Medicine) 4. Inaccuracy and Inaccessibility Memory Retrieval: Contributions from Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology Wilma Koutstaal and Daniel L. Schacter (Both: Harvard University) 5. Psychoanalysis, Memory, and Trauma Robert M. Galatzer-Levy (University of Chicago) 6. The Nature and Development of Children's Event Memory Michelle D. Leichtman (Harvard University), Stephen J. Ceci (Cornell University), Marjorie B. Morse (Harvard University) 7. An Integrative Developmental Model for Trauma and Memory Mark R. Elin (Tufts University School of Medicine) III. The Memory of Trauma 8. Memory and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Julia A. Golier (Yale University), Rachel Yehuda (Mt. Sinai School of Medicine), and Steven Southwick (Yale University) 9. Traumatic Memories Bessel van der Kolk (Boston University) 10. Continuous Memory, Amnesia, and Delayed Recall of Childhood Trauma: A Clinical Typology Mary Harvey and Judith Herman (Both: Harvard Medical School) 11. Traumatic Experiences: The Early Organization of Memory in Children and Adolescents Robert S. Pynoos, Lisa Aronson, and Alan M. Steinberg(All: University of California, Los Angeles) IV. Trauma and Memory: Evaluation and Treatment 12. Psychoanalysis, Reconstruction, and the Recovery of Memory Howard B. Levine (Massachusetts Institute for Psychoanalysis) 13. Psychodynamic Therapy for Patients with Early Childhood Trauma Julia A. Matthews (University of Massachusetts Medical School) and James A. Chu (Harvard Medical School) 14. Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy Fred H. Frankel and Nicholas A. Covino (Both: Harvard Medical School) 15. Cognitive Therapy of Dissociative Identity Disorder Colin A. Ross (Southwestern Medical Center) 16. Memories of Trauma in the Treatment of Children Maria Sauzier (Harvard MedicalSchool) 17. Diagnosis, Pathogenesis, and Memories of Childhood Abuse Lisa A. Uyehara (Tufts University Medical School) V. The Trauma Debate and the Legal System 18. Legal Rights of Trauma Victims Wendy J. Murphy (Law Firm of Brody, Hardoon,Perkins, and Kesten) 19. For Whom Does the Bell Toll? Repressed Memory and Challenges for the Law: Getting Beyond the Statute of Limitations Rose Zoltek-Jick (Northeastern University School of Law) 20. Ethical and Clinical Risk Management Principles in Recovered Memory Cases: Maintaining Therapist Neutrality Robert I. Simon (Georgetown University School of Law) and Thomas G. Guthiel (Harvard Medical School) 21. Child Victims in the Legal System Diane H. Schetky (University of Vermont College of Medicine) VI. Reflections on Trauma and Memory 22. Reflections on Trauma and Memory Paul S. Appelbaum (University of Massachusetts Medical School)