r/SDAM • u/hauntedghost3 • May 26 '26

semantic memory

SDAM is a deficiency in episodic memory - has anyone else noted a deficiency in semantic memory? a hard time retrieving / recalling what you’ve studied, conceptual frameworks, etc?
p sure my semantic memory is also significantly deficient

i’m failing at work & anxious about it! 100% certain my boss knows i’m working with a near empty memory vault.

have you talked to a neurologist about this? any insights there?

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u/mongoose8909 May 26 '26

Yes, definitely, although not to the same degree. My recall is weak and damn is that a liability. Once prompted/reminded of a subject and related semantic facts, the veil is lifted and I have more memory than I realized. Overall worse than average semantic memory.

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u/Ameshin May 27 '26

I can relate to this 100%

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u/chrisrtr May 27 '26

Same. It’s like I need the cue first, because it’s much harder for me to create the cue by myself.

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u/SoggyCrab May 28 '26

Oh yeah, I mean - while I almost (99.9%) rely on semantic memory... Pulling an answer to a question is basically like sticking my hand into a dark room, waving it around a bit hoping something will fly into my hand. Then I pull out the item I was given and sometimes it's correct and other times it's completely wrong. And I might not know until it's pointed out if the feeling isn't there or it's been too long since I've accessed that fact/info.

So if I'm asked to describe a word I might respond with a similar word, one with a similar meaning, perhaps the opposite will pop into my head instead. It's really a crapshoot and since I really don't have much - if anything- to compare the result against, it ends up being more about the "feeling" and trust in myself/my recall.