attention deficit hyperactivity disorder Archives

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Does ADHD Affect Memory?

Written by In Balance Counseling on May 30, 2024. Posted in General.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is more than just a short attention span. Adults and children may live with many ADHD symptoms that affect their behavior, mood, and ability to learn.

Here, we’ll explore the question, “Does ADHD affect memory?” and discuss some strategies you can use to improve your memory. With a few powerful techniques and individual counseling in Tucson, AZ, from In Balance Counseling for support, it’s possible to improve your memory and manage some of the daily challenges you face. Make an appointment by calling (520) 722-9631.

The Connection Between ADHD and Memory Deficits

Everyone has the occasional absent-minded or forgetful moment, but for people with ADHD, memory issues are often a daily occurrence. So, how does ADHD affect memory?

ADHD can affect all three types of memory: working, short-term, and long-term.

Working memory is your active memory, which supports executive functioning. In theory, it’s how you process, store, and retain information to complete tasks. In practice, it’s remembering how to follow multi-step directions or stay focused during complex cognitive tasks.

Short-term memory involves how well you remember things a few seconds or minutes after they happen. ADHD can create short-term memory deficits by causing you to lose vital information, like instructions, soon after you hear them.

Finally, long-term memory is your ability to retain information indefinitely. In addition to storing experiences, long-term memory preserves your skills, knowledge, and more.

It’s important to recognize that ADHD does not cause memory loss. Instead, the disorder leads to distractibility and a loss of focus that prevents memories from ever being stored.

Also, not everyone with ADHD experiences memory issues to the same extent. Research suggests that about 85% of children with ADHD have working memory issues, which can extend into adulthood. There’s also evidence that the more severe your ADHD symptoms, the more severe your memory issues will be.

How Memory Problems Affect People With ADHD

ADHD-related memory issues can manifest in multiple ways throughout your life.

The effect on working memory can make it difficult to complete tasks or require frequent reminders of the necessary steps. Planning and organization can also be more difficult because of executive function impairment.

It’s common for people with ADHD in adulthood to have difficulty remembering names, for example, or to require multiple reminders to avoid missing appointments. Issues with lateness and challenges doing work efficiently can also arise from ADHD-related memory issues.

Improving Memory With ADHD

ADHD is incurable, but you can strengthen and improve your skills with in-depth therapies and training. The tools counselors use to help people with ADHD improve their memories include:

Memory games and exercises, like puzzles and brain-training apps
Memorization techniques
Assistive technology, like smartphone alarms
Mindfulness and meditation exercises
Visual aids

Get Help Managing ADHD at In Balance Counseling

Does ADHD affect memory and your ability to work and live a fulfilling life? Schedule your first therapy session at In Balance Counseling in Tucson, AZ, by calling (520) 722-9631 and see how you can start to regain control over your life.

Can ADHD Cause Brain Fog?

Written by In Balance Counseling on February 29, 2024. Posted in General.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can cause many symptoms that have a detrimental on your daily life. From an inability to focus and a need to remain in near-constant motion to talkativeness and memory issues, the range of symptoms caused by the neurodevelopmental disorder can make it challenging to cope.

Developing new symptoms, like brain fog, can add to the difficulty of understanding your condition. Many people ask, “Can ADHD cause brain fog?” and the short answer is, yes, it can. At In Balance Counseling, an intensive outpatient program in Tucson, we work with many adults trying to manage their ADHD and brain fog. Learn more about the connection here, and call us at (520) 722-9631 to make an appointment.

What Is Brain Fog?

Brain fog is a common term for mental sluggishness; many people describe it as feeling as though they are lost in a fog, unable to concentrate, think clearly, or make sense of what’s happening around them. It can be a frustrating and often debilitating condition, as it keeps you from managing even the most basic daily living activities and being productive. It’s more than just mental tiredness or a lack of mental clarity: Brain fog is a series of connected cognitive impairments that don’t improve with physical changes only, such as getting more sleep.

The Symptoms of Brain Fog

Many of the symptoms and effects of brain fog overlap with ADHD symptoms. Some of the most common include:

Concentration difficulties
Difficulty communicating (trouble finding words, mixing up words, etc.)
Slow thinking, including trouble organizing thoughts and mental exhaustion
Memory issues, including forgetfulness and memory lapses
Difficulty with executive functioning, like making decisions about what to eat or which task to complete first
Careless mistakes, like misplacing items

The Relationship Between Brain Fog and ADHD

Although brain fog can result from illness, diet, sleep problems, and medication, can ADHD cause brain fog?

ADHD can cause brain fog because of the cognitive challenges that come with ADHD. Problems with executive functioning are a hallmark of ADHD and can contribute to additional disorders like anxiety and learning disabilities.

There are also some physical connections between ADHD and brain fog. ADHD often causes sleep disorders, and a lack of adequate sleep is a major factor in brain fog. People with ADHD also often have more cytokines in their brains, which are molecules that cause inflammation, which in turn can affect mental clarity and brain function.

There may also be a connection between dopamine levels and brain fog. ADHD can lower levels of this neurotransmitter, which can reduce motivation and focus.

Get Help with Your Brain Fog

If you’re having trouble concentrating and want to know, “Can ADHD cause brain fog?” the compassionate counselors at In Balance Counseling in Tucson, Arizona, can help. Make an appointment by calling (520) 722-9631. The team can also help you with other issues, like how to get someone to go to therapy, managing substance abuse, and other mental health concerns.