The woman who remembers everything: What it’s like to live with memories of your best days - and worst nightmares

Key Points:

• Rebecca Sharrock, 36, has Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM), allowing her to vividly recall detailed memories from almost every day of her life, which can cause constant random flashbacks and difficulty sleeping.
• Diagnosed in 2013 by Dr. Craig Stark's team at the University of California, Irvine, HSAM is a rare condition with about 100 known cases worldwide, characterized by exceptional memory for autobiographical events often linked to obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
• Rebecca’s HSAM interacts with her OCD and autism, making it challenging to let go of disturbing memories, but she manages her condition through creative work, language learning, and classical music, which help distract her mind from flashbacks.
• Despite challenges like not being able to drive or hold a traditional job, Rebecca has authored a book about her experiences and continues to advocate for more research into HSAM to better understand brain function.
• Actress Marilu Henner, another person with HSAM, emphasizes the condition’s value in giving life meaning by preserving detailed autobiographical memories, highlighting how repetition and structured reflection enhance memory retention.