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Hyperthymesia: What is it?Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. -- Written by Louise Morales-Brown -- Updated on September 21, 2023
Definition
Characteristics
Causes
Diagnosis
Vs. eidetic memory
Summary
Hyperthymesia is an ability that allows people to remember nearly every event of their life with great precision.READ MORE
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(C) 2024 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. All rights reserved.Medically reviewed by Heidi Moawad, M.D.
There are many reasons why a person may have amnesia, which refers to difficulty recalling prior experiences or forming new memories.READ MORE
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How to forget unwanted memories
Scientists are uncovering new ways of getting rid of bad memories.Some researchers have noted that these individuals share some characteristicsTrusted Source with people who have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Another studyTrusted Source suggests that people with HSAM have increased activity within different regions of the brain, such as the superior and inferior parietal lobe.Hyperthymesia differs from eidetic memory in that it focuses on a person's ability to recall their autobiographical experiences rather than to hold visualizations in their mind.This theory implies that people with HSAM obsessively thinkTrusted Source about their previous experiences.Diagnosis 
As hyperthymesia is a rare ability, there is currently no formal way of diagnosing it.

Some research suggests that people with hyperthymesia have hyperactivity in certain parts of their brain.Doctors could potentially, therefore, assess whether a person has HSAM by taking an MRI scan while they undergo a memory test.AboutCareersAdvertise with us
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