Poor memory

In my case, it's complicated. I have an excellent and very detailed memory when it comes to things I've watched, read, heard, or talked about, but an awful memory when it comes to things like my shopping list, people's names or birthdays, facial features, routes, etc.

If you want to enhance your memory, there are several techniques you can use. You can find some useful ones here:

https://www.longdom.org/open-access/memory-enhancement-strategies-unlocking-the-potential-of-brain-108077.html

And here:

https://www.usa.edu/blog/science-backed-memory-tips/

What helps me the most is carrying a notebook with me at all times so I can write down everything I want to remember!

Yeah my memory is pretty awful, which made being a university professor pretty hard. Students would ask me good questions and unless I was prepared to share it I would freeze up and totally forget the details of the correct answer. Dates, names, directions, you name it. I forget it all if I haven’t written it down several times.

I think I remember too much, its all mental clutter, but to be the other other way and have a poor memory must be equally bad.

Thanks everyone for your replys that's all very interesting to read x

I consider myself to have a great memory of both visual and factual information. I can though struggle with info I might not find so interesting, like if someone asked you what did you do at the weekend I would really struggle to recall. Names can be a nightmare too…

I’m rubbish with names but I do remember faces most of the time. Sometimes I’ll see someone walking and think oh that’s that woman from Lidls lol. My brain remembers useless stuff really.

That’s cool you can picture faces, expressions and emotions. I definitely couldn’t do that! I’ve never understood emotions, my own or other people’s. But that’s for a different thread!

Sounds like you have quite a good memory! And I’m glad you got the answers you were looking for, or some of them anyway. You’re normal for somebody who’s autistic!
Most of my time at school I have forgotten, or tried to forget. It wasn’t a good experience for me.

Stuart333 said:

I would like to forget some of it as it has haunted me for a long time, but once it's in there its ready to be wheeled out to beat myself up with when I get burnt out or depressed.

I’m sorry to hear that but can seriously relate. We’re always hardest on ourselves. When you feel like that try to think of the good stuff, and that you got through the bad stuff. It’s always easiest to focus and see the negative things so try and see the good.

Easier said than done I know (I suffer with a lot of self hatred sadly), but hopefully that will help. Always try to be kind to yourself, I am still working on this in my own life.

I have had a bad memory all my life. This made it difficult doing most exams. I remember best by doing things over and over. I also think about things I need to do, then forget them, so I often make lists.

I do however remember useless facts, like if I go somewhere years later I might remember something someone said when I went there before.

I don't remember most names, but most people don't because they are not really interested. Certain people you will remember though.

I have been replaying difficult conversations and decisions from 30 years ago recently, I light of my realisation I might not be normal. I can still see people's faces and their expressions, and my emotions.

I remember certain lessons from school from 40 years ago. In January I went through everything bad I could remember from about 6 onwards, 50 years of it, as I wanted to know what was holding me back. I then got it all together and went to see someone to sort out what it all meant. And here I am.

Anything unusual I remember. But ordinary stuff from yesterday is already forgotten.

I have always had a good memory though.

I would like to forget some of it as it has haunted me for a long time, but once it's in there its ready to be wheeled out to beat myself up with when I get burnt out or depressed.

I don’t know if this is a specific problem with autism but I can see how memory could be affected by autism. There is always so much to process and think about so I’m sure things like memory can be a bit sketchy, especially when things like drinking and eating can so easily be forgotten about.

This is the case for me especially when I am stressed or have a lot going on in my head.

My memory overall isn’t bad but I do struggle with remembering things I have read and watched. When I was going through the diagnosis I was told that struggles with retaining new things is often seen in autistic people. So it’s possible this is an autistic trait in some people.

It is a spectrum so not everyone will have this.

I also struggle with remembering conversations and people's names... Really adds to the social anxiety lol.

My memory isn’t too bad but reading and watching things, I forget more than I remember, especially character names.

Thanks for the reply jalapeno that's interesting. My memory is rubbish in most areas conversations most definitely, names too and also times in.my life . I have to look at photos to remind  myself. 

I don't think so... I think depends on what type of memory.  So for me,: names I forget them as possibly struggle remembering faces, conversations then yes I seem to remember them well, where I've put my belongings (keys/hat) I'm pretty bad.