Understanding Symptoms And Stigma: ADHD And Forgetfulness
It can be common to experience occasional bouts of forgetfulness. For example, most of us can relate to misplacing the car keys or forgetting about an upcoming deadline. However, what if you experience such difficulty with your working memory that it impacts your ability to live a productive life?
Frequent bouts of forgetfulness can be a symptom of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, more commonly referred to as ADHD. When you frequently struggle to remember responsibilities and obligations, it can have a negative impact on your mental health. Those with ADHD and extreme forgetfulness may believe they cannot “trust their own brains,” and this can wreak havoc on their self-esteem and ability to thrive. Still, using coping skills like making lifestyle changes and utilizing a planner can be helpful. Working with a licensed therapist can also be beneficial for individuals with ADHD who struggle with forgetfulness and other symptoms.
What is ADHD?
ADHD stands for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, a neurological condition that typically affects the brain and nervous system. ADHD often impacts daily life and is frequently diagnosed during childhood, although it usually persists into a person’s adult years. In some cases, adult ADHD may go undiagnosed, especially if an individual displays more symptoms of inattentiveness than hyperactivity.
Some symptoms of ADHD can include the following:
- Poor working memory
- Scattered thoughts
- An inability to focus
- Difficulty adhering to schedules, deadlines, and responsibilities
- Poor impulse control
- Restlessness and hyperactivity
As ADHD can have adverse effects on multiple aspects of a person’s life, it can be beneficial to speak to a licensed mental health professional if you experience symptoms of this disorder.
Examining ADHD and forgetfulness
Now that we’ve covered some of the hallmark symptoms of ADHD, it may be clear that ADHD and forgetfulness often go hand in hand.
The impact of ADHD on the brain has often been scientifically validated, with one study finding that those with ADHD usually experience “marked central executive working memory deficits” across the board. In other words, ADHD can significantly affect working memory, which typically involves processing, using, and remembering information.
A person’s working memory usually enables them to work with information without losing track of what they’re doing, but individuals with ADHD often have trouble with this due to executive dysfunction.
Some examples of ADHD and forgetfulness may include the following:
- Losing items you had in your possession only moments earlier
- Difficulty keeping up with appointments and obligations
- Forgetting you were in the middle of a task after getting distracted
- Difficulty retaining information you were just told
Addressing the stigma
ADHD and its association with forgetfulness are often discussed in a flippant manner. If you use social media, you may have seen memes joking about ADHD symptoms, for instance. While humor can be a great coping strategy for those with mental health conditions, the debilitating effects and overall severity of ADHD’s impact on people’s lives may be downplayed or dismissed.
People with ADHD often discredit symptoms like forgetfulness and blame themselves and their own shortcomings. Children with symptoms of ADHD are frequently branded as troublemakers and classroom disruptors by parents, teachers, and peers. A lack of diagnosis usually means a lack of treatment, and symptoms may worsen as a result.
ADHD stigma can be quite real. Because ADHD often coexists with other mood disorders and behavioral concerns, those with ADHD may experience discrimination and challenges with socializing and forming relationships. The stigma surrounding ADHD can even lead to the condition being underdiagnosed.
In fact, an estimated 2.5% to 4.4% of adults may meet the criteria for ADHD, but less than 20% of adults with ADHD may receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Untreated ADHD often leads to a host of difficulties for those with the condition, such as substance misuse, coexisting mood and behavioral disorders, and a decreased lifespan. It can be vital to fight the stigma associated with ADHD to help more people get the diagnosis and treatment they deserve.
Coping with ADHD forgetfulness
Those experiencing ADHD and forgetfulness might often feel confused, frustrated, and isolated. It can wreak havoc on your mental health to constantly sense that you’re fighting an uphill battle against your own brain. However, you are not alone, and there can be many ways for those with ADHD to cope with forgetfulness.
Some coping strategies that could alleviate the impact of ADHD forgetfulness may include the following:
- Improving sleep quality
- Choosing nutrient-rich foods to eat each day
- Getting regular exercise
- Avoiding multitasking and focusing on one task at a time
- Investing in and using an ADHD planner
- Picking a routine and sticking to it
- Stretching memory capacity with intellectually stimulating activities
How therapy can help
Those with ADHD can often benefit from professional insight and guidance, even if they’re already employing the coping strategies discussed above. Consulting a professional can help you look at symptoms from a new perspective and introduce you to new ways to manage symptoms.
Benefits of online therapy
Connecting with a licensed professional through an online therapy platform can be a great resource for those with ADHD. Considering the potential difficulties those with ADHD may have adhering to strict schedules and keeping appointments, online therapy can be a fantastic tool that provides flexibility and accessibility. It can empower individuals to attend sessions from their homes at times that fit into their existing routines.
Effectiveness of online therapy
A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature on the efficacy of online therapy for ADHD treatment found that it could effectively treat ADHD, particularly symptoms like attention deficit and social function.
Takeaway
The stigma surrounding ADHD and forgetfulness can be hard to overcome, but understanding why this symptom occurs can be helpful. Although the executive dysfunction that can be associated with ADHD may impair working memory, coping strategies like using a planner, engaging in intellectually stimulating activities, and focusing on one task at a time may be helpful. A licensed therapist, whether in your local area or through an online therapy platform, can offer more personalized insight and guidance as to how you can manage symptoms like forgetfulness.
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