Kelly is a long-time serious drinker. in the last year she has started having huge memory lapses. when this happens, she makes up wild stories to her fill in what she does not remember. this symptom is called:

The correct answer is confabulation. 

Confabulation refers to the phenomenon where individuals mix up or confuse real memories or scenarios with made up or imaginary scenarios when interacting with others. Due to this, their memories are inaccurate. When individuals experience confabulation and tell others made up stories, they do so without the conscious intention to lie to and deceive others.