I found out about SDAM recently and it seems like I definitely have it, and from everything I’ve heard it has a lot of overlap with aphantasia. I’m wondering if it’s even possible to separate them or they’re part of the same thing.
I’m curious if anyone here has the experience of aphantasia without SDAM, and what their experience is like if that’s the case. Like, how does one read those episodic memories without a mind’s eye?
What is SDAM?
I’m guessing OP is referring to “Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory.” A term I just learned like 10 seconds ago by googling.
SDAM Stands for Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory
See also :
- https://lemmy.world/post/23177618 What is SDAM?
- https://lemmy.world/post/21993737 Aphantasia and SDAM with Dr. Brian Levine
- https://lemmy.world/post/22994501 What is Mind-Void? | Website about Aphantasia and SDAM
So, I do not, but I did learn things from your post! Not only do I have less memories overall compared to my peers, the definition I found does speak of first-person memories.
The memories with weak visuals that I do have are in third person. Heck, I dream in third person. Apparently that is not normal?
I would say that I do have SDAM, although I don’t have an official diagnosis. In fact, I find the ‘S’ (Severe) label a bit overstated. The reason I identify with SDAM is that I have multisensory aphantasia, which means the only way I can access my past is through semantic memory. I am unable to re-experience past events from any sensory perspective, nor can I project myself into the future in that way.
I would suggest that someone who does not lack multisensory mental imagery—what scientists refer to even for non-visual senses—may be able to vividly recollect past events from a first-person perspective (often described as a time travel flashback) using the senses that are not affected. Therefore, they may not be severely impacted or affected at all.
