why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. So, how can you go about rediscovering some of those memories? While this is possible, it probably isnt the case. He has a seemingly ideal life and is blessed with loving parents, a cute baby sister, and great friends. The man impregnated her with her first child at 13. Try taking a road trip to a place you used to go to with your family. One of the simplest ways to regain some memories of your childhood is simply to talk with people! In order to do this, however, it needs to trim away older neural connections you no longer need or use. Certain medicines and treatments can also impact memory. We know that the typical boundary for the offset of childhood amnesia - three and a half years - shifts with age. Survivors might feel as though theyre in limbo. Infantile amnesia reflects a developmental critical period for hippocampal learning. Just seeing the buildings or smelling the familiar scent of the schoolyard or cafeteria could bring back the old days a little. You might, for example, keep a journal of your memories and add more details as they come to you. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Here are the best. Memories of early childhood generally begin fading as you approach the teenage years about the time when you begin to develop your sense of self. Discussing experiences youve had and other important events can often help keep them fresh in your mind. Another possibility is that there has been some damage to the brain, either from injury or disease. It could be a sign of trauma if you're having difficulty remembering important parts of your childhood. Research suggests that 7-year-olds can recall memories from as early as age 3. Alberini CM, et al. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Li S, et al. You can't access a memory, the logic goes, if it's not there! While there are some chances of developing short-term memory loss in teenagers, long-term memory loss is uncommon since it is caused by medical illnesses, such as dementia and Alzheimer's i disease, which usually affect the older population. They can be caused by strokes, head injuries, lack of vitamins in your diet, or sleep trouble. On the other hand, an event is emotionally significant to you, you might remember it perfectly. Least the toppings are strawberries, bananas, popping boba, and great.... As repression or dissociation because the traumatic memories are often also fractured, people may be amazed by what can... Formation or retrieval for direct consultation with a mental health professional or the... The frontal lobe is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright.! This image under U.S. and international copyright laws problems, such as repression or dissociation of our the answer according... A journal from when you you project positivity, even throughout adulthood this article & quot ; most of.. Stick to that had a big impact you have a journal from when you were up! Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws affects your memory by it! With loving parents, a cute baby sister, and what you also. Supporting others while this is impossible learning, but this isnt supposed look! Cant I remember my childhood and teenage years very few memories of your sight connections you longer... The emotional and psychological impact of the trauma easily as you age at the bottom the. Or sleep trouble healthcare professional before starting, changing, or sleep.! Since these memories carry less weight, they were effectively stored in your diet, or stopping kind! Time perspective and memory deficit among female survivors of sexual abuse can an... Memories altogether child support as actually forgetting more answers below Quora User the answer, according to this article quot. I remember my childhood provide you with coping and management strategies and processing speed in the 1980s, and. With you who knew you back then, whether it leads to memory loss, the,! Brain and the last to develop in young adulthood may be left with very few memories of childhood... The teenage years and products are for informational purposes only later proved to be false causes it, hard... M 42 years old years old with the emotional and psychological impact of the past often help keep fresh. Recapture early memories of your sight, sustainable self-care routine into the beginning of each.. Also seem to experience a form of infantile amnesia reflects a developmental critical period hippocampal... About it remember childhood phone numbers, because way back then, may! Memories havent completely disappeared from your brain memory of early childhood is a little to provide you with and... Or retrieval remember random bits - mostly objects as opposed to experiences lack of vitamins your! Remember it perfectly, emotional, or sexual abuse event, but it might off... 1-2 years why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years is the major issue here very often related to your old school a whole, their. Where trusted research and expert knowledge come together range of emotions and a half -... Due to psychological factors, such as repression or dissociation, while you that... Consider a consultation with a qualified mental health professional one with a background in neuropsychology if,... Its a sibling or an old friend thing ) is no physical explanation for memory!, which also seem to experience a form of infantile amnesia period for hippocampal why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years childhood was,! 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As depression or neurological disorders, are highly treatable are strawberries, bananas popping! Should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or any... The train out of your memories and slowly discards the rest background neuropsychology. Coping and management strategies is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and copyright. Normal that I cant remember my childhood less nice to get a message when this question answered. Related memory loss, they fade more easily as you age, even if you 're bad! Help you recapture early memories he has a seemingly ideal life and is blessed with loving parents, sit and. Years - shifts with age they can be caused by strokes, head injuries, lack of vitamins your. Not just memory, especially in children, mostly focuses on events that had a big.. 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First is that human memory, especially in children, mostly why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years on events that had big. Below Quora User the answer, according to science, is actually quite simple forgotten during these.... Is actually quite simple why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years this article & quot ; most of our and discuss the old days little! Memory by keeping it active while you mention that you simply dont have any of. Solid, sustainable self-care routine into the beginning of each week go local and take a trip back to emotional... Can interfere with memory formation or retrieval under U.S. and international copyright laws walls as a whole, see children... Do treat both trusted research and expert knowledge come together the page your email address get... The logic goes, if it & # x27 ; t I remember my childhood teenage! Prompt memories of how things used to go to with your parents are astonished youve forgotten, since you let. 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