99% of us with this issue, can only document some of it!! As I pointed out, this is a process, that could take a lifetime. Let me make this very very clear. Even if you do have false memories (and the chances of all of them being false is pretty slim) that DOES NOT MAKE YOU CRAZY. Now, Cookie, reread that last sentence until you truly believe it.

I will explain how we could have false memories as best as I can here. Say you remember going to the dentist at a young age. The dentist was mean and you didn't like him. A few years later you read a book about a girl being molested by a dentist. A few years after that, when recalling your visit to the mean dentist you recall that he rubbed up against you. (this is a really dramatic example...) Now, what happens here is you remember the event but have different information introduced (the book) and so your mind adds this "new" information to the old memory. This does not make a person crazy. Our minds do not store information in some perfectly organized manner. Our brain has to sort through more information in a day, than is possible to remember. And no, we do not store everything!! That is a myth. What we remember, how we store our memories, associate our memories, and our recall of memories is not a perfect process. Add in trauma and it can become a real mess.

There is no easy, quick fix here. Chances of all your memories being false is pretty slim. I know that your memories are painful, and I'm sorry. You will still have to work through your emotions, whether or not you can document your memories or not.

Also, if you remember on your own, you are not just crazy and making it up. The caution is more for therapy induced memories and memories before the age of 3, as these are the most unreliable memories of all.

I realize this thread has thrown many people here for a loop. Some will only hear the message of "made it up" some will tell themselves it proves they are "crazy" etc.. The message you tell yourself, will help you determine what you need to work on, within yourself. This information is meant to help people understand the process, how it works, give information and ANALIZE thier memories. Not beat themselves up. Have some faith in yourselves. Having this information is very important if you have someone in your life denying that anything every happened (like me, like many others.) How do we trust our memories when being attacked about them? This is how. Use this process, learn and QUIT beating yourself up for a very natural and normal process!!!

Bec