Anecdotal examples of recovered memory have been described by many experimental memory experts, including those who would later emerge as dismissive of the concept. Anecdotes offer examples of individuals who recovered provably accurate memories outside of therapy in the absence of suggestion, and who describe vague memories that become clearer over time. From the earliest surveys of recovered memory (RM) survivors, researchers have noted that recovery often comes with a surge (or recurrence) of symptoms. The research on mechanisms of RM experiences has generally centered in five areas: false memory (FM), repression and dissociation, state dependency, ordinary memory loss and recovery, and not-thinking. A glaring omission in the literature is in the area of malingering within RM cases against alleged perpetrators and FM cases against therapists. The malingering research on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would provide an excellent foundation.