THE SPECTRUM OF ACCURACY IN MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

In the context of public outcry about ''false memories'' of childhood sexual abuse, many persons with posttraumatic stress disorder are dismayed by their confusion about the historical basis of their intrusive memories. Numerous interacting factors impinge on memory of trauma to yield a broad spectrum of accuracy. In their endeavors to reconstruct coherent narratives of traumatic experience, clinicians and their patients wilt benefit from thinking in shades of gray rather than in terms of ''true'' versus ''false'' memories.