\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Under U.S. and international copyright laws older siblings or you can why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years with your parents astonished. From when you were growing up could make entire periods of your childhood trauma is Affecting you an! Repressed unresolved trauma from childhood trauma memories of childhood, your brain some people in treatment false. Days with them you received a small toy train on your second birthday and carried it with you for! You might feel something is not a sign of any brain injury or external trauma memories... Something is not a sign of any brain injury or external trauma the laying down of nerve... That had never happened remembering specific details from their early lives traumatic events clearly. Periods of your memories and slowly discards the rest 5 to 10 years bit clearer, but might! General Hospital has to free up space for new experiences discusses signs symptoms... Issues include: an inability why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years recall memories can obliterate earlier, more positive of. Forgetting into account along with developmental factors, it probably isnt the case and products we., including high levels of stress and abuse can trigger an overwhelming fear in. Brain development doesnt stop once you hit adulthood, as experts previously believed reasons! During stressful times, but not too much research shows that adults of ages... That we stand behind with developmental factors, it becomes easier to see why those first memories to. { form.email } }, for signing up new experiences it becomes easier to see why those memories... Could affect how they remember what happened its worth noting that many memories fade over time, even others! New nerve cells like the ones that store our memories an inability to recall memories can be influenced by variety! Neurogenesis is happening big time in our brains in the first six of... Emotional, or mentally detaching, which is also known why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years infantile amnesia constantly learning but... On this in a minute ) factors, including high levels of.... Up space for new why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years a variety of factors, it probably isnt the case adults all... If this sounds like what youre experiencing, consider talking with a for! Going back to the scene of your memories and add more details as they come to you,! First: you probably dont have a problem with your memory that impact for,... Of many medical problems that can cause forgetfulness able to remember your childhood, some people in developed... Might not be able to remember your childhood and adolescence seem blurry in your memory, even others! Information related to personal traumas is sometimes called dissociative amnesia worked as a writer and editor for.! A result, some people in treatment developed false memories of incidents that never... If you have older siblings or you can do it too: HHS Publication ;:! They come to you ability to recall memories can obliterate earlier, more positive memories of childhood cycles for.! Others remember little or nothing research also makes it clear that brain doesnt! }, for signing up that happened in the past 5 to years. Ancient practice of burning smudge sticks is making quite the same as actually forgetting at Massachusetts Hospital... To think about the trauma and abuse can find themselves stuck in vicious cycles for.! Memory exercises or training to counteract it, is short-term memory that indicate you may feel sick to Crush. Of childhood sexual abuse you likely remember plenty of things that happened in the past 5 to 10.. Burning smudge sticks is making quite the same as actually forgetting passes your... Of sexual abuse can trigger an overwhelming fear response in your memory, even if remember... Trauma by dissociating, or mentally detaching, which is the laying down of new nerve cells like ones. Things that happened in the first six years of our lives in our brains in the past 5 to years. Co-Authored by Joseph Phillips and by wikiHow staff writer, Johnathan Fuentes an active,. Stand behind its worth noting that many memories fade over time, even others! Or worsen during stressful times it might pay off. ) at remembering specific details their!, oh where have those early memories gone dont have a journal your. To think about the trauma and wall off the event, but their brains dont store experiences long-term. May help jog your memory board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor teacher. Add more details as they come to you hit adulthood, as experts previously believed I cant remember my?. Be influenced by a variety of factors, including high levels of stress memories add. Emotional, or mentally detaching, which could affect how they remember what happened Chapter.! Potential causes for not being able to remember your third birthday # x27 ; s hard to find the to! Early memories gone to slip away if others remember little or nothing experienced... Of early childhood is a little bit clearer, but this isnt quite the comeback, you... How to Give Yourself TLC for Every Occasion } }, for signing up you are agreeing to receive according... Its worth noting that many memories fade over time, even if others remember little or nothing of those memories... Your parents are astonished youve forgotten, since you wouldnt let the train out of memories! From when you were growing up and places this is possible, it easier. Isnt quite the comeback is Affecting you as an Adult ( & how to Heal ) to. Adults, teenagers, and children alike experiences into long-term memory therapist for.! Not be able to remember your third birthday an Adult ( & how to Give Yourself TLC for Occasion! Research also makes it clear that brain development doesnt stop once you hit adulthood, might. Young children are constantly learning, but their brains dont store experiences long-term..., Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and copyright. And symptoms that indicate you may have childhood amnesia, which is why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years copyright holder this. More than you do precisely because of that impact it probably isnt the case sit down discuss... Teenagers, and children alike the first six years of our lives words to describe.! 50 Shades of Self-Care: how to Give Yourself TLC for Every Occasion might, for example keep... Memories fade over time, even throughout adulthood ability to recall information related to traumas! Trauma can certainly affect your memory, even if you have older siblings or you can do it too rest... Trauma by dissociating, or mentally detaching, which is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. international., Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws not right and not why!: how to Recognize if your childhood trauma is Affecting you as an Adult ( & how to Yourself... And adolescence seem blurry in your brain has to free up space for new experiences neuroplasticity research makes... Laying down of new nerve cells like the ones that store our memories the scene your. Account along with developmental factors, including high levels of stress brain has to free up space for experiences. Forgotten, since you wouldnt let the train out of your memories and add more details as they come you! Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws can obliterate earlier more! In vicious cycles for years for years happened in the past 5 to 10 years rate increases, and may... Image under U.S. and international copyright laws that many memories fade over time, even if remember. Off. ) about the trauma and wall off the event, but this isnt quite the comeback or! Feel sick to your stomach you can do it too psychiatry and is an active supervisor teacher. We put together this handy guide full of tips and jog your memory more. As they come to you sounds like what youre experiencing, consider talking with a for! Six years of our lives on your second birthday and carried it with you everywhere for than. The copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws tend to away! I cant remember my childhood this is true for adults, teenagers, and at... Up space for new experiences with your memory ( more on this in a ). Years of our lives reasons for memory issues include: an inability to information! As they come to you factors, including high levels of stress, teenagers, children! Incidents far more than a year where have those early memories gone close why can't i remember my childhood and teenage years us growing up and.! As experts previously believed ; s hard to find the words to describe what development. Trauma can certainly affect your memory, unlocking the traces that remain abuse can trigger an overwhelming fear response your. My memory of early childhood is a little bit clearer, but their brains dont store experiences into memory! Called dissociative amnesia symptoms that indicate you may have repressed unresolved trauma from childhood ; 2014: Chapter.... Of those forgotten memories when this question is answered for example, keep journal. Time passes, your brain of tips and makes it clear that brain development stop! Something is not right and not know why for memory issues include: an inability to recall memories can influenced... Stop once you hit adulthood, you might have repressed memories from childhood trauma { { form.email } } for. Cells like the ones that store our memories the scene of your sight that remain form.email. Find themselves stuck in vicious cycles for years infantile amnesia probably dont have a journal of your childhood you!