Confabulation: Why We Generate False Memories

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsExamplesIdentifying Confabulated MemoriesCausesExplanationsTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types

Symptoms

Examples

Identifying Confabulated Memories

Causes

Explanations

Treatment

Coping

Confabulation is a type of memory error in which gaps in a person’smemoryare unconsciously filled with fabricated, misinterpreted, or distorted information.When someone confabulates, they are confusing things they have imagined with real memories.

A person who is confabulating is notlying. They are not making a conscious or intentional attempt to deceive. Rather, they are confident in the truth of their memories even when confronted with contradictory evidence.

Confabulated memories can sometimes be confused withintentional lyingor malingering. Malingering involves deceiving others to gain something. While confabulation involves lying, the two are not the same. People who are confabulated are not aware that their memory is wrong, and they are not lying to manipulate or deceive other people.

Types of Confabulation

When someone’s mind confabulates, it is attempting to cover up for a memory that has been lost. This happens without the person being aware of it. Confabulations are categorized into two types: provoked and spontaneous:

Confabulation is often associated with memory disorders, brain injury or disease, and psychiatric conditions. However, it has also been observed in healthy people with no history of a neurological disorder, mental health condition, or brain damage.

Signs and Symptoms of Confabulation

Confabulation often points to an underlying issue with a person’s memory—for example, a neuropsychiatric condition, brain injury, or substance use disorder. There are several common characteristics of confabulation, including:

Examples of Confabulated Memories

Confabulation is not the same as lying. When someone tells a lie, they present information that is untrue with the conscious intent to fool ormanipulate others. A person who confabulates, on the other hand, is not doing so with the purpose of deceiving and is not actually aware that what they are remembering is not the truth.

While confabulated memories involve presenting false information, the person doing so believes that what they are remembering is true.

For example, a person with dementia may be able to clearly describe the last time they met with their doctor, even if the scenario they depict never actually happened.

A person with memory problems might not be able to remember exactly how they met someone. When asked directly, they might confabulate a story to explain the occasion on which they first met the individual.

Another example of confabulation is when a person with gaps in their memory is asked to remember and describe the details of a past event. Rather than responding that they do not know, the person’s mind fills in missing details with confabulatedmemories of the event.

Confabulated memories can be elaborate and detailed.

For example, a person withschizophreniawho is experiencing delusions may confabulate memories that become increasingly fantastical and intricate the more they are questioned about them.

In other cases, a person’s memories can be quite mundane. For example, a person might not be able to remember exactly how they got a small bruise on their arm but may fabricate or misremember a story to explain how the injury occurred.

The Mandela Effect: How Masses of People Can Have the Same False Memory

Confabulation can sometimes be challenging to recognize. It can also make diagnosing mental health and memory conditions more difficult. To determine if someone is confabulated, a doctor or mental health professional may:

Unfortunately, confabulation is often missed and may contribute to misdiagnosis.

Causes of Confabulation

Confabulation is often the result of brain disease or damage. Some of the conditions that are linked to confabulation include memory disorders, brain injuries, and certain psychiatric conditions. There are several psychological and neurological conditions associated with confabulation, including:

There is not one specific area of the brain that is responsible for confabulation, but damage to the frontal lobe (which is vital to helping us form memories) and the corpus callosum (which has a key role in visual and auditory memory) has been associated with confabulation.

Explanations for Confabulation

Different theories attempt to explain why people confabulate.Some research suggests that two main factors play a role in this type of memory disruption:

Overlearning

This factor can cause certain types of information to be present at the forefront of a person’s mind. When certain information looms large in a person’s memory, it tends to crowd out other details. If gaps in memory occur, overlearned information can dominate and force out more specific facts and memories. This can lead tomemory distortionsand inaccuracies.

Poor Encoding

This factor leads to information not being fully stored in the brain’slong-term memoryin the first place. For example, if a person is distracted during an event, they are less likely to pay attention to details. If the information is not fully encoded, the person is more susceptible toforgettingor misremembering it.

False Memory

Being confabulated can sometimes stem from afalse memory. This can be a case of “honest lying,' since people are relating a confabulated memory that seems entirely truthful from their perspective.

False memories can form for several different reasons. In many cases, memories are encoded improperly or become corrupted due to interference from other information and memories.

Memory Loss

Treatment for Confabulation

Research suggests that confabulation can be difficult to treat. The recommended approach to treatment depends on the underlying cause (if it is possible to identify the source).

For example, arguing over the validity of memories in people with dementia serves little purpose. Rather than trying to challenge or refute their memories, it is better to offer acceptance and support.

In some instances, confabulation can be addressed with psychotherapeutic andcognitive behavioraltreatments. These approaches help individuals become more aware of the inaccuracies in their memory.

Techniques that encourage a person to question what they do and do not remember can also be useful. People are asked to respond that they do not know something or that they are not sure rather than confabulate a response.

The findings of a 2017 study supported neuropsychological treatment for confabulation in people who experienced a brain injury. Researchers in the study asked participants to complete a memory task then showed them their incorrect responses.

As participants were shown their errors, they were given specific instructions to pay closer attention to the material and to think about their answers before responding. The results of the study indicated that this approach was effective at reducing confabulations and that the effects could also be generalized to other areas post-treatment.

The Consequences of False Memories

Coping With Confabulated Memories

In addition to cognitive and behavioral treatments, there are strategies that people can use to help deal with confabulation.

Family members and friends of people prone to being confabulated may become frustrated or distressed. It may seem like their loved one is lying, but understanding that confabulation is not an attempt to deceive can make it easier to cope.

Confabulation can be confusing or frustrating, but sometimes it helps people with memory disruptions cope with their current reality. Gaps in memory can be difficult and even frightening for people who experience them. Confabulated memories are one way the mind might try to make sense of the world.

If you are concerned that a loved one may be showing signs of confabulation, it’s essential that you seek help. Consider talking to a mental health professional who can identify the underlying cause and support you and your loved one as you deal with the effects of confabulation.

The Different Causes of Memory Loss

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Triviño M, Ródenas E, Lupiáñez J, Arnedo M.Effectiveness of a neuropsychological treatment for confabulations after brain injury: A clinical trial with theoretical implications.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(3):e0173166. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173166Concordia University, St. Paul Online.Understanding Confabulation: An Introduction. Updated‌ April 29, 2016.Bernecker S.A causal theory of mnemonic confabulation.Front Psychol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01207Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. [Updated 2019 Jan 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.Jerrod B, Deb H, Stephen M, Kimberly D D, Janina C.Confabulation: A guide for mental health professionals.Int J Neurol Neurother. 4(2). doi:10.23937/2378-3001/1410070Lorente-Rovira E, Berrios G, McKenna P, Moro-Ipola M, Villagrán-Moreno JM.Confabulations (I): concept, classification and neuropathology.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2011;39(4):251-9.Schnider A.The Confabulating Mind. Second. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2017:38-39.Additional ReadingClinical Neurology for Psychiatrists.Dementia. Sixth edition. 2007:111-156. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3074-4.10007-4Alexander MP.Mind and the Frontal Lobes. (Craik FI, Levine B, eds.). New York: Oxford University Press; 2011.Bryson JJ.Memory in the Twenty-First Century. (Groes S, ed.). New York: Springer; 2016:334-338.

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Triviño M, Ródenas E, Lupiáñez J, Arnedo M.Effectiveness of a neuropsychological treatment for confabulations after brain injury: A clinical trial with theoretical implications.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(3):e0173166. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173166Concordia University, St. Paul Online.Understanding Confabulation: An Introduction. Updated‌ April 29, 2016.Bernecker S.A causal theory of mnemonic confabulation.Front Psychol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01207Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. [Updated 2019 Jan 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.Jerrod B, Deb H, Stephen M, Kimberly D D, Janina C.Confabulation: A guide for mental health professionals.Int J Neurol Neurother. 4(2). doi:10.23937/2378-3001/1410070Lorente-Rovira E, Berrios G, McKenna P, Moro-Ipola M, Villagrán-Moreno JM.Confabulations (I): concept, classification and neuropathology.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2011;39(4):251-9.Schnider A.The Confabulating Mind. Second. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2017:38-39.Additional ReadingClinical Neurology for Psychiatrists.Dementia. Sixth edition. 2007:111-156. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3074-4.10007-4Alexander MP.Mind and the Frontal Lobes. (Craik FI, Levine B, eds.). New York: Oxford University Press; 2011.Bryson JJ.Memory in the Twenty-First Century. (Groes S, ed.). New York: Springer; 2016:334-338.

Triviño M, Ródenas E, Lupiáñez J, Arnedo M.Effectiveness of a neuropsychological treatment for confabulations after brain injury: A clinical trial with theoretical implications.PLoS ONE. 2017;12(3):e0173166. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0173166Concordia University, St. Paul Online.Understanding Confabulation: An Introduction. Updated‌ April 29, 2016.Bernecker S.A causal theory of mnemonic confabulation.Front Psychol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01207Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. [Updated 2019 Jan 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.Jerrod B, Deb H, Stephen M, Kimberly D D, Janina C.Confabulation: A guide for mental health professionals.Int J Neurol Neurother. 4(2). doi:10.23937/2378-3001/1410070Lorente-Rovira E, Berrios G, McKenna P, Moro-Ipola M, Villagrán-Moreno JM.Confabulations (I): concept, classification and neuropathology.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2011;39(4):251-9.Schnider A.The Confabulating Mind. Second. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2017:38-39.

Concordia University, St. Paul Online.Understanding Confabulation: An Introduction. Updated‌ April 29, 2016.

Bernecker S.A causal theory of mnemonic confabulation.Front Psychol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01207

Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-

Wiggins A, Bunin JL.Confabulation. [Updated 2019 Jan 26]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-.

Jerrod B, Deb H, Stephen M, Kimberly D D, Janina C.Confabulation: A guide for mental health professionals.Int J Neurol Neurother. 4(2). doi:10.23937/2378-3001/1410070

Lorente-Rovira E, Berrios G, McKenna P, Moro-Ipola M, Villagrán-Moreno JM.Confabulations (I): concept, classification and neuropathology.Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2011;39(4):251-9.

Schnider A.The Confabulating Mind. Second. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 2017:38-39.

Clinical Neurology for Psychiatrists.Dementia. Sixth edition. 2007:111-156. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3074-4.10007-4Alexander MP.Mind and the Frontal Lobes. (Craik FI, Levine B, eds.). New York: Oxford University Press; 2011.Bryson JJ.Memory in the Twenty-First Century. (Groes S, ed.). New York: Springer; 2016:334-338.

Clinical Neurology for Psychiatrists.Dementia. Sixth edition. 2007:111-156. doi:10.1016/B978-1-4160-3074-4.10007-4

Alexander MP.Mind and the Frontal Lobes. (Craik FI, Levine B, eds.). New York: Oxford University Press; 2011.

Bryson JJ.Memory in the Twenty-First Century. (Groes S, ed.). New York: Springer; 2016:334-338.

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Types of Confabulation#

Signs and Symptoms of Confabulation#

Examples of Confabulated Memories#

Causes of Confabulation#

Explanations for Confabulation#

Overlearning#

Poor Encoding#

False Memory#

Memory Loss#

Treatment for Confabulation#

Coping With Confabulated Memories#