Surprising Ways ADHD Impacts Memory
Many people are aware of the core symptoms associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also known as attention-deficit disorder (ADD): short attention span, being easily distracted, procrastination, disorganization, trouble with follow-through, poor impulse control, and in some people hyperactivity. But there’s another common symptom that most people don’t associate with ADD/ADHD: memory problems.
There’s a common symptom that most people don’t associate with ADD/ADHD: memory problems.
In people with ADD/ADHD, getting distracted or not paying attention can get in the way of memory formation and recall. The hallmark symptoms of this condition play a key role in why ADD/ADHD types often space out on deadlines, forget appointments, or neglect to complete tasks.
HOW ADD/ADHD IMPACTS DIFFERENT TYPES OF MEMORY
Memory is not a single or simple process. There are several different types of memory, including the following that can be affected by ADD/ADHD:Short-term memory:
If someone tells you their name and you write it down a few seconds later, you’re using short-term memory. This type of memory typically lasts less than a minute and involves the brain’s prefrontal cortex. Research suggests that ADD/ADHD can be associated with some short-term memory deficits.Working memory:
Working memory goes beyond short-term memory and lasts seconds to hours. It involves holding several pieces of information in mind while problem-solving, completing a task, filtering out unnecessary data, or dealing with emotions and stress. This type of memory plays a role in managing the tsunami of information people face on a daily basis. It is critical for following instructions, planning, organizing, and more—all activities that tend to pose problems for ADD/ADHD types. A study in Clinical Psychological Review found that kids with ADD/ADHD are more likely to have impaired working memory compared with their non-ADHD peers. Other research published in 2020 points to significant problems with specific types of working memory among youth with ADHD.Long-term memory:
These are the memories that are kept for hours to months to a lifetime. One study in the Journal of Attention Disorders found that adults with ADD/ADHD performed worse on long-term memory tests compared with those who don’t have the condition. The researchers suggest that long-term memory impairment is related to problems encoding information. Encoding is the first step to creating a memory. Encoding is when your brain attaches meaning to experiences, or why something happened. Studies show that we remember things better and retain them longer when we associate a purpose to them.Risk for dementia:
Findings in the European Journal of Neurology show that having ADD/ADHD in adulthood increases the risk of developing a form of dementia called Lewy Body Dementia.ADD/ADHD AND MEMORY IN THE BRAIN
Brain SPECT imaging shows that ADD/ADHD is associated with lower activity in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, especially during concentration. The PFC (especially the dorsal lateral PFC) is also involved in sustaining attention span. It trains your mind to focus on important information while filtering out less significant thoughts and sensations. Attention span is required for short-term memory and learning. The PFC, through its many connections within the brain, keeps you on task and allows you to stay with a project until it is finished. The PFC accomplishes this by sending quieting signals to the limbic and sensory parts of the brain. In the face of a need to focus, the PFC decreases the distracting input from other brain areas, inhibiting rivals for our attention. However, when the PFC is underactive, less of a filtering mechanism is available and distractibility becomes common. Within the PFC as a whole, problems in the dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex often lead to decreased attention span, distractibility, and impaired short-term memory.HOW ADHD TRAITS INCREASE THE RISK OF MEMORY PROBLEMS
Another way ADD/ADHD raises the chances of memory issues lies in the consequences linked to the condition’s symptoms. Think about the traits associated with ADD/ADHD—short attention span, distractibility, disorganization, procrastination, restlessness, and impulsivity. Research shows that these characteristics make people more vulnerable to important risk factors for memory problems, such as:- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Impulsivity and excitement-seeking behavior often seen in ADD/ADHD increases the risk for concussions. Research shows that having one or more head injuries has been associated with an increased risk of lasting memory issues.
- Obesity: Lack of planning and impulsivity can contribute to unhealthy eating patterns among those with ADD/ADHD. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of dementia, according to a wealth of research, including a 2020 study in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
- Depression: Having untreated ADD/ADHD increases the likelihood of having depression, a condition that doubles the risk of cognitive impairment in women and quadruples it in men, according to a study in Archives of General Psychiatry.
- Alcohol and drug abuse: Untreated ADD/ADHD is associated with a higher incidence of substance abuse. In a 43-year follow-up study of more than 12,000 people, moderate-to-heavy drinkers had a 57% higher risk of dementia—and they got it earlier than non-drinkers and light drinkers.
- Smoking: People with ADD/ADHD are more likely to smoke. In 2014, the World Health Organization concluded that tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke increased incidence rates for all types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s.
