I think i may have lost my memory. Could it be proved that someone is faking amnesia?

This is not a wind up. I understand only too well about people suffering with dementia , being a former support worker for their care. I mean folk who pretend to forget everything for bad reasons. You know what i mean.I hope.

Chicken , thats what i was referring
to in my own roundabout way instead of getting down to brass tacks

There are many types of Amnesia but any good psychologist or Doctor who specialises in the subject would be able to tell if someone was faking it.
The Canoeist claimed he remembered nothing but total Amnesia is a very rare phenomenon! Even though he's obviously been living abroad I'm sure he'll know things that he shouldn't if he was telling the truth. He was in touch with his wife if the reports are true so I don't think anyone is going to believe him, Do you?

As for people pretending they are 'Mentally' ill. People don't know all the symptoms or behaviours that would be associated with a condition and are unlikely to be able to keep up an act long enough! Not saying it can't be done just not over a long term!

Well have you seen in the news the man who has been charged with fraud for apparently faking amnesia? Must be able to be proved or he couldn't be charged.

Yes i think there will be ways and means in the medical world.

If you had lost your memory you wouldnt know it so you are lying

i think if someone is faking it all you have to do is catch them out with trick questions, like every day questions that they wont suspect. if they answer you got your answer x

I'm sure I knew the answer to this question once...

If you lost your memory how did you remember both your password and username? Do you remember your name and stuff like that? But i'll have to say I don't think you lost your memory. Sorry.

Yes, it can be tested/proven.

I recently did a psychology course and apparently actual amnesia is extremely rare. It only ever really happens in films. There are only a handful of actual substantiated cases recognised. It would be very difficult to uphold the pretence. Darwin is going to slip up.

I would say it might be hard to prove especially if they are claiming that their memory has returned after a time period.
My friend did lose his memory for a short time, he couldn't even remember being married or did not know who I was when I visited him in hospital.

It really depends on what kind of memory loss you have. I'm not that familiar with "True" amnesia (the kind you see in the movies), but what I've read is that though it's easy to TRY TO fake it, various medical tests (MRI's, PET scans) and psychological tests (exposure to stimuli and recording response), could expose a fake. Also, I'd think a polygraph would do it.

Other types of memory loss, like Alzheimer's, or just that which comes with aging, or post-traumatic stress (blocking out a painful memory, like an attack), can usually be accessed by various means. For instance, hypnotic regression often releases repressed memories of say, childhood abuse (though opponents say this is a fraud itself; it's worth noting that most opponents are accused of abusing their OWN children!). IT is also used to treat PTSD victims (Like returning soldiers after war).

Alzheimer's is difficult to quantify, but new tests are showing promise. According to my Dr., the only "surefire" test is a brain biopsy! I think he's wrong....but who wants to endure THAT?!

Those who wrote that the fact that you think you lost your memory proves you didn't, really don't understand how memory works!

For instance, ever notice how old people can often remember the tiniest details of things that happened decades ago, but not what just took place a few minutes earlier?

Even in young people, say school age; they may remember the details of a subject they like in school, but continually "forget" (whether by accident or on pretending to) things they DON'T like, such as chores! :)

Memory is a fascinating, and VERY complex thing. There is no ONE "test" to prove or disprove loss of memory, as far as I know, since there are so many different types of it.

yes it can be proved.In the case in question the person claims amnesia but he did not forget his wife,or how to spend the incurance and widows pay outs.! unbelievable !

...Could it possibly be a side effect of canoeing on the ocean?