Memory and Abuse

I picked up this book with a keen curiosity, as it came to discuss about the difference between the ordinary memory and the traumatic memory, the causes, and how one can heal those traumatic memories. Whitfield also addresses the issues of the "false memory" syndrome and the claims of FMSF, which was the highlight during the early 1990s, which, by the way, I had never heard of. On another note, I personally like the part about how author talked about false self and true self where one is experiencing a trauma, a false self becomes created and takes over and the true self goes into hiding (since the true self didn't know how to deal with the trauma in the childhood years). "Memory and Abuse" by Charles Whitfield is well-written and easy to read. It is also a very interesting book and worth a read, in my opinion.

After hearing all the hype about "false memories" of abuse, this book clarified everything I needed to know about trauma memories. Authoritative. I hear there are now over 65 databased studies that prove how traumatic amnesia exists.

I've read many books about abuse, trauma, memory and healing. This is one of the best and most comprehensive books I have read on this topic. This book covers many different aspects of abuse, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic memory. Provides a comprehensive understanding of the different ways that people experience traumatic memory such as denial, dissociation, and repression. The book also explains the many different reasons why this can occur. In addition the author addresses the claims of the FMSF in detail, and sheds light on the biased and uninformed foundation literature.The author's tone is very healing for abuse survivors. He incorporates a sense of spirituality. He weaves many insightful quotes into the book. He shows a deep respect for women. This book is more than a book on memory, this is a book on understanding the effects of abuse and finding a personal healing to ultimately transcend the abuse. He also brings intensive clinical knowledge, understanding, and experience to the book. Charles Whitfield is clearly very kind, sensitive, caring, and insightful. His explanation of "the child going into hiding" is a magnificent explanation of the effects of severe child abuse within the home, and the goals of healing.I also recommend "Betrayal Trauma" by Jennifer Freyd and "Unchained Memories" by Lenore Terr. Also "Secret Survivors" has been one of the most healing books I have read on the after effects of incest. See my listmania for other recommendations on healing from incest, sexual abuse, and trauma.

This is a closely-reasoned, scholarly, and somewhat clinical book. Not an "easy read" by any means (it has over 700 reference endnotes!). Well-done charts and lists do help make a great deal of information more manageable. That said, I found it gripping, because he describes my own experience of both trauma and healing so accurately. There is good information on post traumatic stress disorder and its relationship to sexual abuse. He addresses the debate over "false memory syndrome" extensively and, I think, quite well. Throughout, his tone is compassionate and engaged. As both a survivor and one who supports others in their journeys to wholeness, I highly recommend Dr. Whitworth's book for clinicians as well as survivors and those who support us.

Charles Whitfield is compassionate toward the survivors of sexual abuse. He addresses the effects of PTSD. He validates the memories of survivors, and blows the lid off the "False Memory Syndrome" which is actually not a valid psychologically substantiated syndrome at all. He also exposes the history of False Memory Syndrome Foundation--a "foundation" that will accept anyone who is accused of committing sexual abuse against a child and was founded by parents who were themselves rightly accused of sexual abuse. Hat's off to Charles Whitfield. He has once again provided help and compassionate insight which will aid in the healing of child sexual abuse survivors.