false memory syndrome
false-memory syndrome. The supposed recovery of memories of traumatic or stressful episodes that did not actually occur, often in session with a mental-health therapist. • This term is most frequently applied to claims by adult children that repressed memories of prolonged and repeated child sexual abuse, usu. by parents, have surfaced, even though there is no independent evidence to substantiate the claims. Cf. REPRESSED-MEMORY SYNDROME.