Is Your Memory Like Mine?

[Sam1]

My memory of my early life is really, really hazy. My earliest distinct memory, which I'm sure is a real memory and not a fabrication, is of when I was maybe 8 or 9. Actually, that was a lie. I don't have any real strong distinct memories of my life, the kind where I can vividly imagine the scenario and insert myself into the situation, earlier than the past 4 or 5 years. What I meant to say was that my earliest memory, which is a vague one, that I know isn't made up, is of when I was 8 or 9. I can remember bits and pieces, and feelings, prior to then, but I can't recall any solid episodic details.

And in addition to having a very poor memory of my early life, I feel that my memories of my highschool life for instance (I'm 21 now) aren't very clear, distinct, or vivid either. In this case I can remember events, but I can't exactly reexperience the feelings and emotions of the time.

In other words, my episodic memory (memory for past episodes in one's life that one has experienced) is very shit. Yet, on the other hand, my semantic memory (memory for factual information which is independent of past episodes, and which is independent of contextual details) is, I think, quite up there. For instance, a few years ago I learnt pi to 58 digits in an afternoon, and currently, I can retain 40 or so digits! (Yes, very pointless, I agree).

But the point of this post is, does anyone feel the same way when it comes to their memory? I can't exactly visualise any clear, or abstract for that matter, link, or association between stuttering and this pattern of memory (well actually I could at one point, but I've sort of lost it now), but I was just wondering if any other stutterers experience the same sort of thing.

[Charlieb]

I think because our episodic memory is so subjective we (humans) find it difficult to recall specific details about a given situation.

When it comes down to it our memory is a collections of moments, we can choose what memories we will have by choosing to make as many moments as special as we can.

What moments do you remember?

Charlie

[aki26]

I agree with you Sam1. At one time I actually thought that I had dementia or something else that causes memory problems. Sometimes if I have to remember what I did earlier in the day, I would have trouble doing so and I would eventually remember after a few minutes of focused thinking...It would not be instantaneous. I dont know if it has something to do with the stuttering.

Let me know if you hear anything about the connection between memory and stuttering.

[philostam]

At my lowest point of my life (my covert stutter exploded in disaster) I had an IQ test. Accidentaly it was the same test, exactly the same that I had a few years before. And the result was much lower. I told the prof the fact and he said that I must be lying because if it's true then it's dementia. Anyway, he didn't believe me. Since then nobody could explain me that. IQ can't be lowered by tiredness and like.

Well, it's not dementia, but it's strongly stuttering-related. The most of us can't really react to a thread like this, because we lived our whole life as stutterers, and we can't really tell if we have memory problems or not. We suspect it from time to time though.

We don't remember to our early years because it was traumatic. The very essence of traumas is that you don't really experience them. You block it out, lock it out. That's why our early childhood seems to be a leaky farm on the moon.

[JFan]

Yes...very much the same feelings. I have a TERRIBLE long term memory. My fiancee makes fun of me all the time and says "why don't you remember this"...... it's weird.

[jamesm]

Honestly guys, I think everyone feels like this. I really think memory and stuttering have no significance in relation to each other. I can remember some childhood moments, some high-school moments, some college moments, if you remembered EVERYTHING you would definitely have some sort of brain malfunction... I'm thinking rain man or something similar. In short, I don't think my memory is any different from non stutterers. But as people as a whole, everyone's memory is not identical.

[prao]

I think I have selective memory:) My brain chooses to selectively remember only certain incidents of my childhood, and conveniently discards the rest. I haven't found any necessary correlation between periods of low fluency and increased memory loss, in my life. But then again, it could also be due to the fact that I am currently in my worst phase of stuttering.

[outsidemike]

I've got a really stupid memory, not a bad one , just stupid. I never seem to remember the important stuff. I can forget a persons name who just I heard 30 seconds ago, but I have a head full of useless facts that I'm always wondering how the heck I remember.


If any one needs to now where to set the float hight to for the carburetor of an 1983 Nissan pick up truck...I'm your man. But don't ask when my own parents birthdays are. After 29 years you might think I'd remember that, but nope, I have to wright down that little tidbit of info on calender to remember.

[emily445455]

My memory is horrible, even up through high school. I hate it.

[ImaBitch]

Hi, all

I'm having a hard time verifying the correlation between memory and stuttering;

Not to boast, I do have nearly perfect recall of events, conversations and really odd details about general things that most would never observe -- whereas my memory of factual information is limited. Diagnosis please?

Chris

[dani]

i have a strong long term memory, starting from age 6 to now,25, i can remember most events that i went through in my life and with accuracy. Often it surprises people when I tell them about it. For example, few months ago I met a friend all the way back from kindergarten, took me an instant to recognize him but he didn't. I am very good with peoples faces. BUT my memory isn't perfect, I have a weak short term memory. i would forget names 30mins after meeting the person, etc. Lessons needs to be recited 100s of times before it sinks into my mind and more so that it stays there. Though I dont quite understand how can i have such a good long term memory and weak short term memory at the same time. it seems contradictory.

[Crimsonclp]

i cant say that my memories are like yours but i dont have the ability to dream but to make things more odd than that, i can predict the random days like deva vu and with my longterm memory i know exactly what will happen throughout that entire day. so it varies with certain people.