Just Wondering, Do You Think You Have A Better Memory Than Most People?

[just me here]

The American Television network CBS had a story on their popular Sixty Minutes program last night about people that can literally remember every detail of their lives, like a 100% recall of meals eaten, clothes worn, days of the weeek and month and year and such, very amazing. The people that have this ability have an enlarged portion in their brain that in most people would likely cause compulsive behaviour, but the people being studied really seem pretty normal except for their incredible memory of their personal history.

My wife has always accused me of "keeping score" but it's not like that for me really, I just remember the things that have happened in our relationship very clearly. I know that I have a very good memory for details, especially mechanical systems and the details of their design and features. There was a time when I was very young that I was pretty sure I could remember every day of my life as it had happened, what I did and who I was with, for every day I had been aware probably from 3-4 years old up to maybe age 8 or 9.

That ability has faded over time, and now sometimes I can't remember if I turned the stove off before I left for work, but I still would say my memory is better than most people I know.

How about you? Do you think you have an average or better memory? Do you think it contributed to your diagnosis? I would say I probably would be in less of a mess now if I could just forget some things, being able to pull out history and feel the emotions like it just happened is a definite contributer to my disorder, no doubt.

 

[Jestadud]

I'd say I have a lousy memory as my wife beats me at the keeping score game every time.

Where my memory seems to hold more info is the times when there has been real danger to me or mine, that time when you are hyper alert waiting for the all important next move until the threat has passed. On these occasions I can remember peoples expressions the minutest movements they make but not so much words spoken.

Totally agree with you about pulling out history and feeling the emotions.

 

[anni]

I clicked on this because it seemed so wierd to connect a good memory with anything to do with PTSD- so many threads discussing this the other way, both serious and hysterical, you know? I know mine is SHOT, to the point of seriously having 10 of everything one uses in everyday life ( hairbrush, pen, shoes-whatever ) because it's just less stressfull that way.I can always find one of them. That IS funny- it's also completely true. This is odd because it never occured to me I also remember some things with huge clarity-wierd!!! I can tell you every name of every horse at the school I went to 30 years ago,every student, the lesson plans for M thro F, what I did on a given weekend, with whom. SO clear. I can remember whole vacations as a child, not as a clump, but day to day- maybe not meals but what we did, who was there, my bathing suit, where exactly the loons were nesting.SO wierd, and makes me feel even more frustrated with the big fat time span I can't get straight. It's sitting in my documents, intended as a diary for here, but so stupid sounding with inconsistancies of time and place- missing bits getting filled in I keep giving the hell up.

Of course do not think for a second any part of my brain is any larger than necessary to keep things ticking over so am NOT one of those people, but it's a hugely interesting concept! Just Me Here, it does sound like perhaps your ability is rather extraordinary. I'm really interested to see if others are able to make the same connection, out of sheer curiosity. Ok, nosiness? Is that the same thing?

 

[shadowchaser]

Honestly don't know if my memory is any better than anyone else. Some things are clear others are not.

 

[Darkness Shines]

Oh, yes. I have a memory for visual details that never ceases to amaze (and that I'd rather not have, considering some of the images stuck inside it). I can read a prospectus or contract at work and flip back through it in my mind later if my husband has a question, though this will fade after a few days for minor things like contracts if I don't continue recalling it. For major things I remember in that clarity forever. Would you like to know the exact outfit, hairstyle, and seating arrangement of every single person at my wedding nearly 3 years ago? I could tell you if you actually wanted to know.

It's pretty useless overall, actually. No-one cares that my sister-in-law wore dark green boots to my wedding. Even I don't care. And yet I remember. :rolleyes:

 

[AdamAnt]

.......what's this thread about again??? :)

 

[Grace11]

I have a very detailed memory of personal events (who said what, when) but it's usually clouded by my emotions at the time. I will remember conversations from years ago down to the very words said, but my take on the gyst of it all is usually a bit different. I observe others' reactions and emotions vigilantly, and may remember a discussion as more highly charged than others who were present. .

 

[Sethe]

Yes (when I'm hypervigilant, which is a lot of the time- in panic mode I don't know a damn thing).

I had one T who was amazed when I noticed the small things that were rearranged in the office (like paperweights, seashells, etc). I just notice that kind of crap. Maybe it's the OCDish stuff, but I notice a lot of asymmetry, etc. or change (from last time I saw the area).