Adam Character

I'm working on a new character who erases his mind after confronting eldritch beings and situations to keep himself sane. Sanity is one of the few luxuries in this world thst my characters cling onto. When I was in highschool, I often took the yearly appraisement tests (the ACT or SAT or whatever) by myself. This was done to cut on distractions in a crowded room. I didn't mind, it was neat to have the room to myself. Except there was another kid who also took the test in a seperate room, Adam. I remember him being the fastest runner in our grade. I remember taking my tests one day and I see him there waiting for the exam. I was surprised, I thought I was the only one with a problem. Later, I learned he had issues with reading and needed a specialized test. It was neat to learn I wasn't alone. 

Back then, disability was "frowned" upon more than it is today. For the record, I wasn't upset at being different. Outwardly, I thrived on it. But looking back, perhaps I was stressed out by social interaction. Maybe I fooled myself into thinking I couldn't be normal. Maybe that's why I made, and still make jokes to distance myself from others. 

But back to Adam, that's where the character's name comes from. I'm my world his friends call him "Blank" because he loses his memories. Also, "Adam Blank" is a cool nickname. Like one of those old comics like Adam Strange or something similar. I'm still working out the personality because I didn't know the real Adam too well. I wish I had made the time to hang out or do something but I won't beat myself up for lost opportunities. 

The question is what does he lose when he erases his mind. I just watched Memento yesterday and the protagonist can't retain new memories. That's not what I want for my character, but I do need so.ething similar. Something that isn't random like forgetting potty training or the math he learned in eighth grade. I need him to be able to progress in the story. Although, the threat of losing random bits of memory adds to the situation. Is he willing to sacrifice his good memories to cast a spell? That said, Memento taught me that memory is a loose framework with which we define ourselves. If memory can't be trusted then can you trust yourself? How about the others around you? Better still, why is Adam doing this to himself and what are the effects in his loved ones? 

If I may complain, this is the problem with my creativity. There's so many ways to go with this character and I have to get them to be relatable to the reader. Adam wouldn't erase his mind unless he had a good reason.