Try to Remember: Psychiatry's Clash over Meaning, Memory, and Mind

Try to Remember examines the recovered memory controversy that rocked American psychiatry in the 1990s. Dr. Paul McHugh, former psychiatrist-in-chief at Johns Hopkins Hospital, provides a first-hand account of this pivotal period in mental health treatment. The book traces how certain therapeutic practices led some patients to develop false memories of childhood abuse, resulting in family devastation and legal battles. McHugh details the scientific and clinical evidence that ultimately exposed the flaws in recovered memory therapy, while documenting the professional conflicts that emerged between different schools of psychiatric thought. Through case studies and research findings, McHugh demonstrates how this crisis forced the psychiatric profession to reexamine its methods and assumptions. He presents the evolution of more evidence-based approaches to trauma and memory that emerged in the aftermath. The narrative serves as both a historical record and a cautionary tale about the intersection of scientific responsibility, clinical practice, and human vulnerability. It raises fundamental questions about the nature of memory and the obligations of mental health practitioners.

Readers describe this as a clear explanation of the recovered memory controversy in psychiatry during the 1990s. Reviews highlight McHugh's first-hand experience as a psychiatrist and expert witness during this period. Liked: - Detailed documentation of specific cases and court proceedings - Clear writing style accessible to non-medical readers - Balance between scientific evidence and personal accounts - Historical context of how the recovered memory movement developed Disliked: - Some found McHugh's position too dismissive of trauma survivors - Limited discussion of current memory research - Focus on extreme cases rather than nuanced examples - Academic tone in certain sections Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (23 reviews) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (42 ratings) Notable reader comment: "McHugh provides invaluable insider perspective on how therapeutic mistakes can spiral into devastating consequences for families" - Amazon reviewer Another reader noted: "Important historical account but sometimes oversimplifies complex trauma responses" - Goodreads review

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🧠 Paul McHugh served as the Henry Phipps Professor and Director of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University for 26 years, making him uniquely qualified to discuss the "memory wars" that shook psychiatry in the 1990s. 💭 The book examines the controversial practice of "recovered memory therapy," which led to thousands of patients falsely believing they had repressed memories of childhood abuse. ⚖️ The false memories generated during this period resulted in numerous wrongful accusations and torn-apart families, leading to the formation of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation in 1992. 📚 McHugh challenges the Freudian concept of repression, arguing that traumatic experiences are more likely to create persistent, intrusive memories rather than forgotten ones. 🏥 The aftermath of the recovered memory movement led to significant changes in therapeutic practices and helped establish stricter guidelines for how therapists should handle potential abuse cases.