Is it normal that i can't remember anything before the age of 9 ?

67% Normal
5 Comments

I have snippets of memories such as a certain smell or noise before the age of 9 but no 'placeable' memories before then, my first definite memory was when my grandmother died, it was definitly traumatic (I saw the body) and for some reason I couldn't even cry about it although I definitely wanted to as my brother screamed at me for not crying, I couldn't even cry at her funeral. My childhood was generally quite happy but I'm wondering if this event made me block out my earlier childhood ? Anyway, is that normal?

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67% Normal
Based on 12 votes (8 yes)
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Comments ( 5 )
  • Boojum
    6 years ago

    It's called childhood amnesia. It's normal, and the trauma surrounding the death of your grandmother didn't cause it.

    The ability to recall early childhood varies widely. Like you, I had a reasonably happy childhood, and I can only recall random snippets from before the age of ten or so. My nine year-old daughter is currently able to recall quite a few events from when she was three and even younger, but the science suggests she'll lose these memories as she gets older. (Which will be nice, since maybe I'll stop hearing about the totally fictional "memory" she has of how, when she was a toddler, I once told her to pee in the snow, and then rubbed it in her face.)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_amnesia

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  • _Mehhhh_
    6 years ago

    Childhood amnesia varies greatly between people, but nobody can remember things before they were like 2. I think most people do remember thing from 9 though

    I have pretty vivid memories of being 3-5 in the late 90s. Happiest time of my life tbh, perhaps sadly. Sometimes it stuns my Mom, the details I remember

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    • Ellenna
      6 years ago

      I can remember events which happened before I was 2: it may be rare but it's not correct to say "nobody"

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      • Boojum
        6 years ago

        My sister was born when I was two, and my earliest memory is of watching my mother change her diaper, and having the sudden urge to kiss her bottom. I thought it was funny, but my mother was not amused.

        Strangely, I've always been very interested in butts, and pretty indifferent about boobs.

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      • Babygirl2382
        6 years ago

        same.

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