Recovered memory is the phenomenon of spontaneously recalling a memory or memories that were unavailable from conscious memory retrieval for [Page 2811]some period of time. The term recovered memory is often associated with the return of memories that are related to a high degree of stress or emotion and are commonly linked to a traumatic event. These memories can be recalled years or even decades later when the individual encounters a stimulus related to the original memory, such as a smell, taste, person, or sound. The forgetting can be partial or complete, and in some instances, it may still affect the individual outside of conscious awareness.

Some individuals who have reported experiencing recovered memories have described it as a spontaneous occurrence, often involving feelings of shock ...