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Poor Memory

Lian Ellison

Lian Ellison

New Member
Hi , I’ve just joined up as I found this forum whilst ‘googling’ why, as an Aspie, my memory is soooo bad!
I was relieved to note that I’m not alone in this.
I’m very newly diagnosed - just over a month ago now. I’m 48!!!
I have very poor childhood memories, trouble with names - even people that I’ve known of since forever. Conversations I’ve had, events I attended - can’t remember them! I find it near impossible to retain facts I’ve learnt - I often have to re-read and re-learn them, if someone asks me how much something cost that I recently bought I draw a blank - I just don’t retain that type of information. How I got two university qualifications I’ll never know!! It concerns me because I read that we are meant to have these wonderful, almost photographic memories - not I!!! Is there anyone on here that knows why this is so, and is this common out there?
Thank you
 
Hi Lian Ellison :)

welcome to af.png
 
Memories are based on their importance. I can not remember names - like in reading from one sentence to the next. I know what the Bible says, but I could not tell you where what is. I can not remember dates. Prices - I can't even come close.
But something good or bad happens and it has a big effect on me I remember all the details around it, who said what, surroundings, everything including exactly how I felt. And time does not seem to erase anything from those memories.
Welcome to the forum.
 
Depending on the definition of what is good or bad memory, I either have really good or really bad memory
 
Pats said:
Memories are based on their importance. I can not remember names - like in reading from one sentence to the next. I know what the Bible says, but I could not tell you where what is. I can not remember dates. Prices - I can't even come close.
But something good or bad happens and it has a big effect on me I remember all the details around it, who said what, surroundings, everything including exactly how I felt. And time does not seem to erase anything from those memories.
Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...
clg114 said:
Welcome to AutismForums!
Click to expand...
Pats said:
Memories are based on their importance. I can not remember names - like in reading from one sentence to the next. I know what the Bible says, but I could not tell you where what is. I can not remember dates. Prices - I can't even come close.
But something good or bad happens and it has a big effect on me I remember all the details around it, who said what, surroundings, everything including exactly how I felt. And time does not seem to erase anything from those memories.
Welcome to the forum.
Click to expand...
Thank you
 
Is there anything at all you remember well?

My wife can't remember much of what we did and the visuals, but remind her of the place and meal and she can tell you exactly what she had to eat, decades ago.

I find some specialize in memories. Only retaining those things of special interest.
 
Hi Lian, welcome to the forum.
Memory in autism is a very interesting topic. Myself I have a very strong, accurate facility for memory which has been a highly useful skill to me many a time. It's not uncommon in people with HFA/AS, however I have come across many who face similar problems to yourself.
 
Poor short-term memory would make college more difficult, something I wish I'd known way back when. But there are ways around it, and good long-term memory, if you have it, can make the difference between success and failure.

"I read that we are meant to have these wonderful, almost photographic memories - not I!!! Is there anyone on here that knows why this is so, and is this common out there?" Just another stereotype/myth. Photographic memory is extremely rare, whether you're autistic or NT.
 
Catana said:
Poor short-term memory would make college more difficult, something I wish I'd known way back when. But there are ways around it, and good long-term memory, if you have it, can make the difference between success and failure.

"I read that we are meant to have these wonderful, almost photographic memories - not I!!! Is there anyone on here that knows why this is so, and is this common out there?" Just another stereotype/myth. Photographic memory is extremely rare, whether you're autistic or NT.
Click to expand...
I think it's the impact some things have on us that we remember more. At least that seems to be the way it is for me. I remember my dad's exact words to me, standing in the kitchen - I think I was the only one that took him so seriously.
 
I hardly remember my childhood, it was like I wasn't even there. I did not make my first friend until I was in the 4th grade. That friend moved away in the 7th grade. 2yrs later I would make another friend. So fast forward to me at 41yrs old and these are still the only 2 friends I confide in. My point being is that they will talk about the things we had done and said so vividly. There I sit and it all sounds new to me.
I had a really happy childhood from my perspective. My sister dated a metal head who protected me relentlessly so I never worried about bullies, so there isn't the, "oh you are just blocking it out trauma."
My first friend will talk about times we went fishing with my dad and I do nit even remember him being there. It's nice in a way because I do not feel many regrets but at the same time I have a daughter and what do I tell her when she asks if I can relate.
From what I have read this is a common trait. I know if something was overwhelming that I would zone out into the most brilliant daydreams that I wish I could put to paper. So that is where I think my memories are......in my daydreams.
 
Lian Ellison said:
Hi , I’ve just joined up as I found this forum whilst ‘googling’ why, as an Aspie, my memory is soooo bad!
I was relieved to note that I’m not alone in this.
I’m very newly diagnosed - just over a month ago now. I’m 48!!!
I have very poor childhood memories, trouble with names - even people that I’ve known of since forever. Conversations I’ve had, events I attended - can’t remember them! I find it near impossible to retain facts I’ve learnt - I often have to re-read and re-learn them, if someone asks me how much something cost that I recently bought I draw a blank - I just don’t retain that type of information. How I got two university qualifications I’ll never know!! It concerns me because I read that we are meant to have these wonderful, almost photographic memories - not I!!! Is there anyone on here that knows why this is so, and is this common out there?
Thank you
Click to expand...
commonest cause stress then depression ,then menopause ,perimenopause.
 
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