One of the symptoms of Severe Deficient Autobiographical Memory (SDAM) is a decreased capacity to recall prior experiences and events that personally affected the individual. Particulars regarding their own lives, such as noteworthy occasions, important turning points in their lives, or even routine happenings, are frequently difficult for people with SDAM to recall. This illness can significantly affect a number of facets of day-to-day living, such as identity formation, social relationships, and emotional health. The relative lack of episodic memory—the capacity to recollect certain experiences and events connected to a specific time and location—is one of the characteristics that distinguish SDAM. Semantic memory, which includes facts and basic knowledge, may still be present in people with SDAM, but their vivid, specific memories of their own lives are usually absent. They might therefore find it difficult to piece together a coherent tale of their past and feel cut off from their own history. Although the precise origin of SDAM is yet unknown, a combination of neurological, genetic, and environmental variables are thought to be involved. According to certain research, SDAM may arise as a result of anomalies in the hippocampal and associated brain regions, which are essential for memory creation and retrieval.Furthermore, SDAM may also be linked to traumatic brain injury, specific medical disorders, and psychological elements like depersonalization or dissociation. There are a lot of obstacles and restrictions associated with living with SDAM. People who find it difficult to relate to others' experiences and share personal anecdotes may find it challenging to establish and sustain intimate relationships. In addition, when attempting to make sense of their own past, they could feel lost or confused, which could result in existential anxiety or a sense of identity doubt. People with SDAM can learn to adjust and make up for their memory impairments in spite of these obstacles. Some of the challenges related to SDAM can be lessened by employing techniques including maintaining thorough written records, depending on outside cues or reminders, and concentrating on the here and now rather than daydreaming about the past. In addition, getting help from mental health specialists or participating in memory disorder support groups can offer helpful coping strategies and emotional support. To sum up, very defective autobiographical memory is a complicated disorder that significantly impairs a person's capacity for self-reflection and memory. Even though there isn't a treatment for SDAM at this time, further research could help us understand its underlying mechanisms and create more useful strategies to help people deal with this difficult condition.
