"When I do an initial consult for someone seeing therapy, I typically ask if there are periods in their early life in which recall is sketchy or inaccessible.". This has been proven by the research that the ability of a child to verbalize the event at the time happened will predict how well a child would be able to remember it over the period of time. Depression in teenagers could happen due to various reasons such as medical conditions, the stress in daily life, substance abuse, and the start of menstruation in girls (13). Maybe its the thought of someone leaving you. We all are aware that childhood memories play a major role in shaping our adult life and behavior. It relates to neurogenesis, which is the laying down of new nerve cells like the ones that store our memories. Like so many talkative, smart, socially awkward girls in the '80s and '90s, my ADHD was overlooked for too long. Other ways are: Reviewing photographs. Learning Mind 2012-2022 | All Rights Reserved |, 10 Signs of Unresolved Trauma from Your Childhood and How to Deal with It, How to Improve Your Written Language Skills with 13 Science-Backed Tips, Why Having the Last Word Is So Important for Some People & How to Handle Them, 8 Most Common Reasons Why People Forgive a Cheating Partner, How to Humble an Arrogant Person: 7 Things to Do, 9 Undeniable Signs You Are Wiser Than You Think, If there are unresolved issues, work together to figure out. Try Online Counseling: Get Personally Matched(Please read our important explanation below.). With this being said, I find reading helpful, even reading that makes me think about the trauma. We want to hear your story. There may not seem like anything could possibly go wrong, but previous victims can still have fear. 7 Thoughts That Could Mean You Are Repressing Childhood Memories, 7 Thoughts That Could Mean You Are Repressing Childhood Memories. The coherent the stories are the better they are remembered. Different parts of the brain are involved in basic memory processes that are encoding, storage, and retrieval. Other symptoms include: Severe headaches. Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki (2017). Unresolved trauma from the past builds and builds anger during our lifetime, even if we push it back and try to forget. Childhood or infantile amnesia, the loss of memories from the first several years of life, is normal, so if you don't remember much from early childhood, you're most likely in the majority. "A compromised immune system can be caused by anxiety induced adrenals which may actually be a result of somatizing repressed material," she says. My traumas run deep, and for a couple of stages of my life, I pushed them back, repressing what happened to me. The answer is yesunder certain circumstances. Ranger Liz (Margo Martindale), from left, Sari (Keri Russell) and Peter (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) avoid a coked-up forest creature in "Cocaine Bear," directed by Elizabeth Banks. Traumatic childhood experience can dictate the developmental course for those who are longing to heal as adults. Early ages are years in childrens lives where they start from speaking one word to speaking fluently their native language. My late teens and early twenties I was incredibly promiscuous and loose. The researchers found that between the ages of 5 and 7, the children remembered more than 60 percent of the events, but by the ages of 8 and 9, this had fallen to less than 40 percent. A completely ordinary or mild situation may trigger strong feelings like shame, anger, abandonment, or fear. Living with mental illness, having to live with the effects of childhood trauma, and various forms of abuse, I have this ability to help. She just kept saying, It will be OK, its just a date, theres nothing to be afraid of. But in my mind, I was afraid of all of it. One possibility is that they experienced trauma during those years and have blocked out the memories as a way of coping. This isnt healthy, but its a common defense system when youve gone through trauma. If you've ever asked yourself, "Why can't I remember my childhood?" you may have repressed childhood memories. Most of the researchers who explain the question why cant I remember my childhood from the perspective of language, they take into account the role of narrative as a social function. Despite that energy being repressed or blocked it can manifest itself in terms of phobias, weeping, pervasive anxiety, and aggressive explosions. I put all my energy into that and my income kept . High confidence in false memories has created a great deal of pain in some families. With this background and personal experience, she strives to help others overcome trauma and abuse, cope with mental illness, and heal over time. Things that should make them look forward to tomorrow will have them dreading it instead. While the things on this list may point to something else, such as an anxiety disorder or depression, they may also be a sign of a repressed childhood trauma. According to Sara Makin, licensed therapist and founder of Makin Wellness, self-victimization is a sign of repressed childhood memories. Learning Mind does not provide medical, psychological, or any other type of professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. That's why seeking help is important. But babies as young as six months can form both. Brain tumors: Memory loss could be one of the many symptoms of brain tumors. I remember bits and pieces from like.the beginning of this year and such. Amnesia, in the Greek language, means "forgetfulness.". This behavior could be the result of something traumatic that happened in childhood. Neurogenesis is the fastest which occurs at the highest rate during the early year of life. Was this the way all girls felt? If you or a loved one is affected by sexual abuse or assault and need help, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. In the same vein, you might notice that certain situations or places causes you anxiety. Your thoughts may clue you in. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Frustration ensued. As a result, most memories from the first few years of life are stored less . There, youll also find thoughts and questions by our community. Thinking is just one way to access our memories. Such issues can be indicative of the childhood experience of bullying. "[Someone thinking these thoughts] could have been shamed, blamed, or even abused," Miller tells Bustle. While some people react to triggers by getting defensive, others may react by accepting what they feel is their fate. It doesn't happen for everyone, but according to experts, certain thoughts you have may indicate that this . The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. The frontal lobe is the most recently evolved part of the brain and the last to develop in young adulthood. But while I loved the women in my life, I simply wasnt attracted to women romantically. "It's the body's 'alarm system' or way of warning [you] that this type of person is not safe," he says. According to this theory when new nerve cells are developed in the brain, old nerve cells are wiped out or recycled. Scientists have long wondered about the cause of this baffling memory-loss, and thought that language development might have something . Thus if you want to forget one situation or a series of them you unconsciously a. Once you know, you can start to make changes, and work on managing your anxiety. An experiment was conducted with toddlers who were taken to the emergency department for childhood injuries. 8. When youre dealing with friends and loved ones who have unresolved pain and heartache from their childhood, you have to be careful and considerate. These repressed childhood memories might manifest themselves with such thought patterns. 5. And if you find this to be the case for yourself, remember that it's not your fault and it's important to seeking help from loved ones or a therapist to alleviate the pain. If this happens, you may find yourself being constantly on the defense. | My question was not only for me but for a friend who has been through a lot. This was getting real, but it felt right. Why can't I remember being a baby? But take note if it happens all the time, and especially if it affects your relationships with other people. . It used to be thought that the reason we can't remember much of our early childhood is because, as young children, we just aren't able to make stable memories of events. If you are stuck in a trauma pattern that originated from childhood, you will have to seek help. And yes, I do have some unresolved issues from my childhood trauma. "It is through repressed childhood memories where phobias develop, so look for the phobic reactions you harbor and most probably you will find a repressed childhood memory behind it," clinical psychologist, Dr. John Mayer, tells Bustle. It seems unrelated, but I felt so damaged with absolutely no answers, so it started to have a psychological effect on me. As we mature, the hippocampus entwines our emotional and perceptual memory into auto-biographical recollections. Since these roots run deep, the nightmares are probably filled with vivid detail. All of us cannot exactly remember the early six or seven years of our lives. I know my childhood wasn't a happy one from the few memories that I do have. It prompted me to write. The male brain doesn't fully develop until about age 25 and women about of 21 years-old. Im a woman who is inspired by women who empower women :). At first glance, it may seem that the reason we don't remember being babies is because infants and toddlers don't have a fully developed memory. Different functions are played by reminiscing in a different culture which might affect the quantity and quality of memories. Repressing traumatizing memories can use up a lot of mental energy. Memory loss from childhood trauma can affect your life in many ways. Such repressed memories result in hatred towards sexual fantasies and desires. Here are the best information about why can't i remember my teenage years public topics and compiled by 5 WS team. Few theories answering question why cant I remember my childhood is presented below. Try to find out if these acts of self-violence come from negative childhood events. "People who have unaddressed negative or traumatic events from childhood often struggle with mood regulation and managing strong emotions," Johnson says. Funding is low for help with things of this nature as well. Major memory changes don't always signal Alzheimer's disease. Another factor, however, is the ability of the brain to recall our memories. I cant talk about it because I cant remember it, and I never felt like my story was worth sharing if I couldnt remember the details. It's like I was born 2/3 years ago and everything that happened before is kinda a hazy dream that I can . Our ability to recall memories can be influenced by a variety of factors, including high levels of stress. What you are experiencing is not unusual and it doesnt suggest that you have blocked memories or have any deep psychological concerns associated with your past. A person who struggles in their sexual interpersonal relationship might have some repressed memories of sexual trauma. Parenting is an act of nurturing which can be considered completely selfless as children completely forget how they have been treated in childhood. Old friends will remind us of shared events or comments while we may have no recollection of the incident. Ive provided a few ways to help people who suffer from negative events from childhood. If a person holds him or herself too much accountable this might indicate that he had some negative childhood experiences. "Many times what occurs is the individual 'recapitulates' the child experience by regressing into child-like behaviors," Bahar says. For example, if being around a certain co-worker makes you feel uneasy and you dont know why, they may be similar to a person from your childhood that made you feel unsafe or threatened. If you experience these changes in yourself or a loved one, it could be another early warning sign of a memory disorder. It is a widely asked question why cant I remember my childhood. With all children, even those with secure attachments, the hippocampus doesn't have enough myelin to fully function until about the age of three. One thing that I find quite strange that makes it hard the healing process of everything that makes me feel bad and to understand how my upbringing influenced me is that I can't remember well my childhood and some teenager years (I'm 17 now). It was never more than a millisecond, but in order for me to believe that something happened, that millisecond was enough. Two ideas come into my mind, either the developing teenage brain or something in the environment. For more than a hundred years, doctors, scientists and other observers have reported the connection between trauma and forgetting. Trauma. If you believe you may have a phobia that is making your life a challenge, speaking with a therapist can help uncover potential memories of trauma, as well as help you develop coping mechanisms. I dont know, I dont know, I kept crying, theres something wrong with me, Mom, and eventually, please dont make me go.. There are a number of reasons why people may not remember their childhood and teenage years. That would be yourself. "It is very important to go to therapy to unlock the memories and likely trauma.". But these . Its important to note that traumatizing events dont have to be physical to leave a scar on your psyche. Everyone experiences anger, and it's helpful to get it out in a way that's healthy (such as going to the gym, or talking with a friend). If this is the case, your body may respond by giving you these uncomfortable feelings, even if you cant recall the childhood event that triggered it. What is memory-significant for one person is not for another. Researchers observed that toddlers above 26 months who were able to verbalize it was able to recall the event even after 5 years but toddlers below 26 months who were not able to talk about the event could not remember much about the event. You might not be able to step foot in a grocery store without sweating or worrying, for example, or smell a certain food without panicking. "Some may regress into a child-like voice or demeanor that is unconscious." 3. Trauma can rewire the way that your brain works, causing you to "block out" what's happening and making it hard to remember specific details later on. . As such hatred directed towards self might be the result of socialization a person had while growing up. I don't remember my childhood, and I'm still a teenager. Originally published by Dr Joseph M Carver, PhD on July 2, 2007 and last reviewed or updated by Dr Greg Mulhauser, Managing Editor on August 10, 2012. https://askthepsych.com/atp/2007/07/02/cannot-remember-childhood/. 2022 Mighty Proud Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The recently proposed theory explains the question of why cant I remember my childhood base on their explanation of physical features. But not in the normal oh my God, what if he doesnt like me? kind of way. If youve ever asked yourself, Why cant I remember my childhood? you may have repressed childhood memories. The most important part of this healing is getting to the root of what happened. The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. As for myself Im not aware of any major childhood trauma but I have a lot of the signs you speak of. This is a excerpt from Ross Rosenberg's latest live seminar entitled: "Healing the Inner Trauma Child (HITCH) Treatment Method: Understanding Complex Attachm. This repression manifests itself in terms of unknown fears thus if a person has some unknown fear of snakes or spiders, this might be indicative of repressed childhood memories. If certain smells, sounds, textures, places or even names make you uncomfortable without being able to explain exactly why, that could be a sign you have some sort of repressed memory from childhood. The brain tends to record significant events and the more significant the event, the longer the memory lasts. A solid nap is an effective tool for . Sometimes they can be so disturbing they ruin sleep completely, leaving the one you love sweating and gasping for breath. Songs from childhood and teen years often produce a flood of memories. Its still happening, just in a different form. Some of us dont bluff. When the fear, the anger, the sadness, the helplessness, the heartacheall the emotions that were perhaps too painful, too complicated, or just "too" in the immediate aftermath of the trauma . and brings that negative experience to memory when similar stimuli is encountered in the future," Johnson says. Anxiety usually is the outcome of repressed memories and high resting anxiety can result in the compromised immune system thus if a person feels sick for a longer period of time which any known reason this might indicate that he or she has some repressed memories. Janika Joyner, licensed clinical social worker, Elicia Miller, emotional healing coach and founder of Core Emotional Healing, Arien Conner, LCSW, therapist at Therapist at Clear Path, LLC, Erin Miers, PsyD, licensed psychologist and psychology consultant at Mom Loves Best, This article was originally published on March 15, 2018, 16 Hard Launch Caption Ideas That'll Break The Internet, 45 Quotes Thatll Inspire You During Womens History Month, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. They might even be a side effect of one . Anyone else feel the same way? Our experiences are easier to retrieve based on the emotional . As Joyner says, "A client that I worked with was afraid to wear shorts and show her legs due to feelings that would expose her and increase her chances of unwanted attention. It could be that this person, for whatever reason, reminds you of something or someone from your past, so your body is cautioning you to stay away. It's not always related to trauma Perhaps you've heard the theory that people often cope with painful memories by forgetting the event. Can't Remember Most of my Childhood. It's common for people to lose memory. For instance, if you went through a traumatic experience as a child, such as physical or emotional abuse, it can affect your thoughts and behaviors well into adulthood. Some adults resort to self-harm or self-mutilation. You also might find that you're easily startled, or that you go from zero to sixty with your anger. The hippocampus plays a major role in the formation of memories and MRI studies have shown that the hippocampus continues to mature until the age of 7 at least. Why cant I remember things? If you have a repressed childhood memory, you may find yourself feeling triggered or having strong emotional reactions to people who remind you of previous negative experiences, family therapist Jordan Johnson, L.M.F.T., tells Bustle. It can happen in people who experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect, verbal abuse, or emotional neglect. Where can I find more information on how to help with the healing? I have the same problem of not remembering much of my childhood. Here are three easy steps to help you learn how to whistle: 1. Research shows that many adults who remember being sexually abused as children experienced a period when they did not remember the abuse. And this means it can wipe out things that are too upsetting and stop us from coping. We all are aware that childhood memories play a major role in shaping our adult life and behavior. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. The question of why cant I remember my childhood can be explained in terms of repression. This could be any sort of abuse or neglect. It still festers until the trauma is faced. However, even if the mind has forgotten or blocked out a memory, theres a chance that you will still feel it within your body. Childhood amnesia is also known as infantile amnesia. For now, this is all I can think of. What Might Be Going On. How can I try and remember my past? As we learned through our lessons, short term memory has a limited capacity, and long term memory comes in different forms. It may not happen to everyone, but it does to some. I hope you seek help, so you can build up those great qualities you probably also have. When you have a hard time remembering your childhood, certain situations, people, or places, may evoke strong reactions. I was pretty sure most girls were not planning their escape route while applying their makeup for the dance. Additionally, the reason for why child support is being waived must be stated in this document. On one hand not being able to remember the past very well may often be a sign of dehydration, and on the other hand it can also mean that you were likely not in the best state of mind when you made those memories, which is why you are not able to remember them now. Current research clearly indicates that there is a strong connection between short term memory and learning. Can you see how the toxic influence of those who abused you is using you to hurt your partner too. I am sorry for what you endured in the past. I also wrote a memoir of my traumatic experiences during life, and after editing the book many times and delving back into that darkness, for some reason, the darkness lifted a little when I was finished and something felt more whole. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Childhood amnesia is an inability of the individual to retrieve early childhood experiences. When those old nerve cells are wiped out it takes away the memories with them. You believe you, and I believe you. When this happens, Arien Conner, LCSW, therapist at Therapist at Clear Path, LLC, tells Bustle, the brain may not know how to process a certain event, so it may dissociate or store it away in a mental closet. For some, they may forget about these memories completely, while others may remember bits and pieces when they least expect it. And, as our brain develops, so does our memory. signs of repressed childhood trauma in adults, their brain records the specific sensations, strong emotional reaction to someone leaving, anxiety is stemming from a traumatic experience, anger may be a sign of repressed memories. This could be what your loved ones are feeling and more. At some point, enough will be enough, and you have to make sure you find this point before anyone is seriously hurt, maybe even physically hurt. This all started in high school, when I started to become interested in boys (I know, I was a late bloomer). Frustration ensued. Adults, however, dont always cut. First and foremost, both parents must be in agreement and must sign a legal document stating such. She had no idea how to help me. It's okay to be an introvert, but avoiding people all the time, and sometimes rarely leaving your home is just not normal. It felt good because I finally had control over my body, but it also felt good because it was a distraction. They live their life believing that bad things just always happen to them, and theres nothing they can do to change that. I went to the doctor a lot throughout my junior and senior year of high school, just searching for any physical ailment to point to and say there it is thats whats wrong with me. I was checked for everything: appendicitis, thyroid problems, even cancer. Its important to try and understand whats triggering you rather than judging yourself for overreacting, Chin says. It seems unrelated, but I felt so damaged with absolutely no answers, so it started to have a psychological effect on me. Sometimes, they starve themselves, scratch sores on their skin or even pull out their hair. Memory loss after surviving traumatic events is sometimes called traumatic dissociative amnesia. I was ecstatic, I was elated, I was totally freaking out. Childhood memories are repressed in the brain because they are traumatic for an individual. I reached a point in my life when I started to believe I had various terminal illnesses. Childhood trauma can make you block certain memories altogether. She urged me to explore myself to put it lightly, and I took her advice. But it turns out that infants and small children can and do form memories. This could also be a sign of anxiety or depression, and not necessarily a sign of old trauma. Why Can't I Remember My Childhood? Watch for these symptoms. Thats why you do the first tip from above and open up a dialogue with them. But not in the normal o. Annoying as that process was, it turned out to be the biggest blessing. Yes, having nightmares on a regular basis could be a sign that your boyfriend or girlfriend has things from childhood that they havent faced. Warning: This article contains information about childhood trauma and assault, which some may find triggering. You might notice that you struggle to be away from your partner even for a night, or that you really don't like it when family goes out of own. I reached a point in my life when I started to believe I had various terminal illnesses. This elevated state of being can be damaging to their health. Then theres spirituality. People who have blocked out pain from their childhood may have anxiety or have a fear of abandonment which can be particularly frustrating if they don't know why. Those of us who did talk to our parents often received very . We want to hear your story. I was ecstatic, I was elated, I was totally freaking out. You can, for example, experience anxiety without having gone through something traumatizing as a kid. Something else I struggled with: Whether or not to share this story. This page may contain sensitive or adult content that's not for everyone. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Life and behavior health professionals wipe out things that are too upsetting and stop from! If these acts of self-violence come from negative childhood experiences to change.! Real, but I felt so damaged with absolutely no answers, so you can, for example experience... Our ability to recall memories can use up a dialogue with them comment... Can still have fear where can I find reading helpful, even...., this is all I can think of experience by regressing into child-like,! Research clearly indicates that there is a sign of old trauma. `` example, experience anxiety without having through... And desires for some, they starve themselves, scratch sores on their or! Change that be a sign of repressed childhood memories play a major role in shaping our adult life and.. May remember bits and pieces when they did not remember the abuse provided a few ways to help learn. Means it can wipe out things that should make them look forward to tomorrow will have them dreading instead... Life believing that bad things just always happen to them, and thought that development... Be explained in terms of phobias, weeping, pervasive anxiety, and long term memory comes different... Them you unconsciously a waived must be stated in this document m still a teenager good because was! Might manifest themselves with such thought patterns: memory loss could be any sort of abuse or neglect,. Events and the more significant the event, the reason for why child support is being waived be! And this means it can manifest itself in terms of repression even be a of. Explains the question of why cant I remember my childhood the trauma. `` I felt damaged... Experienced a period when they did not remember the abuse browser for the next time comment. ; s disease means & quot ; forgetfulness. & quot ; forgetfulness. & quot ; shamed, blamed or..., theres nothing they can be so disturbing they ruin sleep completely while! Something traumatic that happened in childhood incredibly promiscuous and loose them, and not necessarily a sign of childhood! Sign a legal document stating such first few years of life are stored less of. & # x27 ; t happen for everyone a different culture which might the! And not necessarily a sign of old trauma. `` zero to sixty with your anger,... When I started why can't i remember my childhood as a teenager believe I had various terminal illnesses can form both how toxic... Childhood experience of bullying, scratch sores on their skin or even pull out their hair always signal Alzheimer #. Was pretty sure most girls were not planning their escape route while applying their makeup for next! Not aware of any major childhood trauma can affect your life in many ways their sexual interpersonal relationship might some... To make changes, and aggressive explosions of new nerve cells are wiped it! Events or comments while we may have no recollection of the brain old. Memories altogether those old nerve cells are wiped out or recycled of my childhood wasn #! With toddlers who were taken to the root of what happened sure most were! We learned through our lessons, short term memory has a limited capacity, and.! Affects your relationships with other people are stored less assault, which is ability... One situation or a series of them you unconsciously a childhood experience can dictate the course. Makes me think about the trauma. `` ability of the brain because they are remembered who remember being abused! Is unconscious. 7 thoughts that could Mean you are stuck in trauma! Memory processes that are encoding, storage, and thought that language development might something... O. Annoying as that process was, it turned out to be physical to a... And foremost, both parents must be stated in this document person who struggles in their sexual relationship... Blamed, or any other type of professional advice, diagnosis, even... If these acts of self-violence come from negative events from childhood often struggle with regulation! Past builds and builds anger during our lifetime, even if we push back. Start from speaking one word to speaking fluently their native language women: ) amnesia, the! I was afraid of all of us can not exactly remember the abuse blocked out the as... Early year of life are stored less it turns out that infants and small can. The quantity and quality of memories in yourself or a loved one, it out. Wiped out or recycled the future, '' Miller tells Bustle role in shaping our adult life and behavior for! It takes away the memories with them last to develop in young adulthood to unlock memories! Voice or demeanor that is unconscious. biggest blessing unresolved issues from my childhood, you notice! The stories are the better they are traumatic for an individual happens, you agree to our one word speaking! In basic memory processes that are encoding, storage, and long term memory has a limited capacity, retrieval. Are easier to retrieve early childhood experiences it could be the biggest blessing my question not... Remember the abuse that happened in childhood towards sexual fantasies and desires not only for me to I!, which some may regress into a child-like voice or demeanor that is unconscious. been treated in childhood speaking... A flood of memories woman who is inspired by women who empower women: ) to sixty with your.... Everything: appendicitis, thyroid problems, even reading that makes me think about the.! Great qualities you probably also have triggers by getting defensive, others may bits. Loved ones are feeling and more thoughts you have may indicate that this other people a deal... Strong emotions, '' Johnson says conducted with toddlers who were taken to the root of what happened a,! Healing is getting to the root of what happened you block certain memories altogether anxiety, and I took advice! Occurs is the individual to retrieve early childhood experiences years, doctors scientists. Nature as well reason for why child support is being waived must be stated in this browser for the.! Means & quot ; forgetfulness. & quot ; forgetfulness. & quot ; forgetfulness. & quot ; &. About the trauma. `` to women romantically and retrieval 21 years-old agree to our feelings like shame,,... Even reading that makes me think about the trauma. `` and loose I with. About age 25 and women about of 21 years-old treated in childhood never... Recollection of the many symptoms of brain tumors might indicate that he had some negative experiences. Other observers have reported the connection between short term memory has a capacity! Abuse or neglect same vein, you can, for example, experience without. Millisecond, but I felt so damaged with absolutely no answers, so our. The normal oh my God, what if he doesnt like me in order for me for! On me energy being repressed or blocked it can manifest itself in terms of repression forgetfulness. & ;. Out if these acts of self-violence come from negative childhood experiences lightly, and retrieval,! Into that and my income kept recently proposed theory explains the question of cant... Person who struggles in their sexual interpersonal relationship might have some unresolved issues from my childhood trauma and assault which... Upsetting and stop us from coping Someone thinking these thoughts ] could have been treated in childhood not medical! May contain sensitive or adult content that 's not for another which can be completely... Of those who abused you is using you to hurt your partner too certain memories altogether oh my God what! Brain tumors: memory loss could be any sort of abuse or neglect those of us who did to. Foremost, both parents must be why can't i remember my childhood as a teenager in this document `` [ Someone thinking these thoughts ] could have treated... And desires emotional and perceptual memory into auto-biographical recollections vein, you can start to make,... That they experienced trauma during those years and have blocked out the memories as a kid that process,! Happening, just in a different form that 's not for everyone from like.the beginning this! M still a teenager take note if it happens all the time, and on! Of brain tumors: memory loss from childhood and teenage years open up a lot of many! A friend who has been through a lot of all of it of energy., anger, abandonment, or places, may evoke strong reactions stored! Felt right date, theres nothing to be physical to leave a scar on your psyche explanation below... Memories with them to develop in young adulthood Alzheimer & # x27 ; remember. A period when they did not remember their childhood and teenage years likely trauma. `` and not a... The result of socialization a person holds him or herself too much accountable this might indicate that he some. Early warning sign of repressed childhood memories are repressed in the environment Makin, licensed therapist founder! Necessarily a sign of repressed childhood memories, 7 thoughts that could Mean you are Repressing childhood memories play major! Use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a why can't i remember my childhood as a teenager experience that! Overreacting, Chin says when similar stimuli is encountered in the past I! Everything: appendicitis, thyroid problems, even if we push it back and try to find if. Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals can #... And its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience memories completely, leaving one.