Trouble forming long term memories?

Hello!

I am a 31 yo female.  I think I have trouble forming long term memories.  I can not recall most of my childhood except a few small snapshots (even then, I am not sure if I am remembering actual events or just pictures) NO teacher names, no friends, no events NOTHING.  I also do not remember most of high school, not even my prom!  I do not recall most of my college years and recent memories (engagement and wedding) are already beginning to fade and I am having trouble recalling them and fear they are headed the way all my other long term memories have.

I feel like I had a pretty normal childhood except I CAN NOT remember it, my parents are not divorced and my sister seems to recall events from our childhood as well as names of teachers she had!  I mean college was not that long ago, yet I do not remember even the most basic things about it...  Is it possible that the problem is in forming the memories rather than recall??  Everyone who has heard this thinks I have a big problem and I want to be able to remember my wedding day, not just pictures!  I have great short term memory and can recall things with great accuracy but somehow it gets lost between short term and long term.

I do not do drugs and only drink socially which is maybe a glass of wine or two once a month!  What is going on with my long term memory?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

The only good answer is that you need a work up by a neuropsychologist...it is very probable that you do not have a memory problem, but an anxiety problem...but a good workup will set you on the right course.