I have no long-term memories

Although I have no problem remembering facts and figures and my short term memory is better than most, I have no long term memory of events. I know it's normal not to remember childhood, but I don't remember high school or college or anything I did there. In fact, my oldest memory is looking outside and seeing chairs on the lawn at my mom's birthday. That was two weeks ago and there only seems to be a vague, blank space before it. Memories just fade after a few weeks. It's a real problem in personal relationships because I can't remember anything me and someone else did together or said to each other, unless I memorize it by repeating it over and over. It's just not normal. I worry that when I get children I will not remember a single significant event of their lives.

I've had this for a long time (not that I can remember, but I keep a diary) and I wonder if there's anything I can do or if it might be related to the depression I've had in the past. I was diagnosed as mildly depressed at 12 but got better at about 17-18, with depressive moods still occurring from time to time . I am now 21 years old.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[freddie8605]

Have you, ask family as i know you wont remember, any kind of trauma? during childhood or at any time during your life. Any kind of trauma such as abuse of any kind, a major accident, bullying. As trauma can be linked with memory issues, so can depression, so can brain injuries or a neurological conditions even ECT treatments. I would go to your doctor as this it sounds serious and it is not normal at all. You can't life not knowing and not remembering. I think keeping a diary is a good idea too, so good on you.

I hope that helps.

[lilymoon]

This sounds to me like something unrelated to depression,a little forgetfullness happens with depression sometimes but not like you describe I think you need to see a doc and get this checked out.Lily

[amylove21]

I agree. I think you need to get this checked out. This isn't normal forgetfulness. Even with depression. So yeah I think it would be good you see a doctor. Also I think keeping a diary is a good idea too. So when you do forget you can reread those things. Still this needs to be checked out because this is serious. You only remember a few weeks. Something is wrong.

[freddie8605]

I just thought of something, i believe memory is made of 2  parts, how you create a memory and how you  retrieve that memory when you want it.i am not sure which part if not both is not working. so I think you should definitely go to a doctor.