Joey DeGrandis has an extremely detailed autobiographical memory

THIS New Yorker can remember almost every detail of his life since the age of 10. But, is his ability a gift or a curse?

Man who remembers everything

ON July 9, 1995, New Yorker Joey DeGrandis visited the Shedd Aquarium while on a family vacation to Chicago.

The day itself holds no great importance in the scheme of things, but it is burnt into his memory down to the minutest detail.

However, it’s not just this event that he can vividly recall; the 30-year-old can remember almost every single day of his life since he was 10.

Mr DeGrandis is among 60 other people in the world to be diagnosed with hyperthymesia — the condition of possessing an extremely detailed autobiographical memory.

“The best way I can describe it is that I view my life like a movie,” he told Vice.

“It’s almost like when you go to a DVD and you’re scrolling through the different chapter scenes.”

While the unique talent doesn’t allow Mr DeGrandis to recall every second of every day, it does mean he can pinpoint more experiences than most.

“I go directly to a moment — or a date — and then zoom out from there,” he told NY Mag.

“I’ll remember what I experienced or how I felt on a particular calendar day and I’ll start thinking about that time period.

“From that point forward it’s a sensory experience like I’m reliving the day or time.”

While it may seem like an awesome ability to possess, the harsh reality is the condition is a double edge sword for those suffering.

“It’s self-analysing in the worst way, it’s almost like your mind is your own worst enemy,” he said.

Mr DeGrandis said the hardest part of his talent is the fact he can’t pick and choose when it works.

This means if something reminds him of a particular bad memory, he is taken back to that point in time regardless if he wants to or not.

He might be smiling, but some days can be torture for Joey DeGrandis.

One such scenario that frequently haunts Mr DeGrandis is when he was tormented by a bully in primary school.

“I don’t remember what the bully was wearing or what I was wearing, but I remember exactly what he said to me and I remember how I felt as I was walking back to the water fountain,” he said.

“I remember fighting back tears and I remember the hallway and the tiles on the floor.

“It’s like you’re emotionally time travelling or as if your spirit is there experiencing those feelings again.”

In addition to making him constantly relive dark memories from his past, his ability also wreaks havoc with his love life.

“I’m insecure about admitting this, but I’m single now and I haven’t had a solid relationship in a long time,” he said.

“If it was a good relationship or I had a fun series of dates I evoke all those happy emotions when I think about it and it makes me smile.

“Alternatively, if it’s a bad breakup or unrequited love then the memories of that linger and hurt when I think about them.”

This problem is often exacerbated when relationships end without closure.

Mr DeGrandis said he will often try and seek out the girls from his failed relationships so he can set the record straight and stop over-analysing his memories.

“I feel really awkward about it because I know it’s something that’s not socially acceptable and even therapists have told me it’s not worth it.”

“I’m putting myself out there in the name of closure and I end up looking like a fool or I end up making the person even more angry.”

The brain of those diagnosed with hyperthymesia is no different to the brain of a normal human.

Mr DeGrandis said he was 10 years old when he first realised his unique ability, but he wasn’t clinically diagnosed until he was 26.

For a long time Mr DeGrandis had used his ability as a trick for his own amusement, but he admits when others found out about his condition they would try and exploit it.

“When it comes up in conversation it has a way of taking over,” he told Vice.

In these instances, Mr DeGrandis tried to deflect the topic by just alluding to the fact he has a very good memory, but he said this was often not enough.

“I go into it because nine times out of ten people are amazed,” he said.

“Then it’s sort of just like a windfall from there … It becomes like a little game.”

This is why he felt oddly relieved when he took part in a hyperthymesia study at the University of California last year.

“For one, we didn’t have to explain every time we threw out a date,” he said.

“The conversation just flowed. We found that we had similarities in terms of our memories and the way that we process things. It was nice to bond in that way.”

Despite the obvious negatives that come with his condition, Mr DeGrandis remains optimistic about the whole situation and is glad he has the ability.

“I know it sounds a little self-indulgent but I can play games and entertain myself endlessly,” he toldNY Mag.

“When I’m trying to fall asleep or when I’m walking down the streets of New York, just passing the time, or sitting in the park, I’ll think about what I was doing on this day a year ago, or two years ago, or three years ago.

“It’s a link to my past and I think it really helps me inevitably become a better person and it really helps me be grateful, I think, to who I am now.”