recovered memory
the subjective experience of recalling a prior traumatic event, such as sexual or physical abuse, that has previously been unavailable to conscious recollection. Before recovering the memory, the person may be unaware that the traumatic event occurred. The existence of the phenomenon is controversial, particularly in the area of recovered memories of childhood sexual abuse. Because such recoveries may occur while the person is undergoing therapy, there is debate about the role that the therapist may have in suggesting or otherwise arousing them. Also called repressed memory. See also dissociative barriers; false memory; posttraumatic amnesia; pseudomemory.