Hyperthymesiais when a person can remember most of their life experiences and things they learned with great detail.
This is different from having an above-average memory.
Hyperthymesia is also sometimes referred to as hyperthymestic syndrome or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM).
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Learn about hyperthymesia, the signs, benefits, downsides, who gets it, and more.
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Defining Hyperthymesia Memory
People with hyperthymesia have a near-perfect memory.
It is their ability to remember that is exceptional.
What People Remember
The average person can remember important events and things that stand out to them.
However, they tend to forget many things thebrainconsiders less important.
Also, the details are generally not entirely accurate when you recall past experiences.
This is why two people who share the same experience may have very different memories when retelling the story.
People with hyperthymesia, however, remember everything they experience.
This means that the brain may be sending and receiving moresignals.
How Do People Know They Have Hyperthymesia Syndrome?
There is no individual diagnostic test for hyperthymesia syndrome.
That can lead to further evaluation and testing by a qualified healthcare specialist such as aneurologistorpsychologist.
However, there are downsides as well.
They remember all of their life events in accurate detail, even the unpleasant parts.
Focusing too much on memoriesespecially unpleasant memoriescan adversely affectsleepand increase the risk ofanxietyanddepression.
Who Gets Hyperthymesia?
Hyperthymesia is extremely rare.
It is not clear why some people get hyperthymesia.
While the causes are unknown, there may be some risk factors.
Causes give rise to something occurring.
Risk factors, though, can increase susceptibility but may or may not be the cause.
More research is needed to determine who gets hyperthymesia and why it happens.
People Without Hyperthymesia: How to Improve Memory
There is no known way to develop hyperthymesia.
However, there are ways toimprove your memory.
Additionally, these methods can help to prevent age-related memory loss.
Summary
Hyperthymesia is more than a good memory.
It occurs in people who can accurately remember almost everything they have ever experienced or learned.
They can recall past events and information in detail, including dates and facts.
While they have remarkable memory abilities, they typically have average scores on intelligence tests.
The cause of hyperthymesia is unknown, and no individual test exists to identify it.
Despite the benefits of having a good memory, hyperthymesia has downsides.
It can be challenging to hold on to details of unpleasant events that people without hyperthymesia forget.
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