What term best describes a memory disturbance where a person retains memories of traumatic events but finds it difficult to recall other information?

The term "dissociative amnesia" refers to a specific type of memory disturbance characterized by the inability to recall important information about oneself or certain events, typically those that are traumatic or stressful. In this case, an individual may retain memories of the traumatic events but struggle to remember other details or aspects of their personal experiences. This selective memory impairment occurs because the mind may block out non-traumatic memories as a coping mechanism to protect the individual from the emotional distress associated with the traumatic memories they still recall.

In contrast, other terms provided do not capture this unique phenomenon. Transience relates to the overall fading of memories over time, not specifically to trauma-induced memory loss. Blocked recall implies a temporary inability to access a memory rather than a patterned forgetting seen in dissociative amnesia. Persistence refers to the uncontrollable recurrence of unwanted memories, often related to trauma, but it does not encompass the selective nature of memory loss present in dissociative amnesia. Thus, dissociative amnesia is the most accurate description of the scenario presented.