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Why am I so forgetful with ADHD? 

PostedOctober 16, 2025
UpdatedOctober 18, 2025
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why, you’re not alone and if you have ADHD, forgetfulness might feel like a daily companion. But this isn’t just clumsiness or carelessness. ADHD forgetfulness is closely tied to how the brain handles attention problems and working memory issues. 

Working memory is like your brain’s sticky note, it holds information temporarily so you can use it. With ADHD, that sticky note often loses its grip. Distractions come easily, and as new information floods in, old details fall away before they’ve had a chance to stick. 

Get your ADHD test

Common Ways Forgetfulness Shows Up 

Here’s how ADHD forgetfulness typically plays out in daily life: 

Losing your train of thought  

You start a sentence or idea and suddenly can’t remember where it was going. 

Misplacing everyday items  

Keys, phones, bags things disappear regularly because attention was elsewhere when you set them down. 

Forgetting tasks or appointments  

Even important dates or plans vanish without a solid reminder system in place. 

Difficulty following multi-step instructions  

The first or last steps often get dropped because working memory can’t juggle everything at once. 

In conclusion, this forgetfulness isn’t about trying harder it’s about understanding how your brain works.  

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations and expert guidance tailored to your unique situation. 

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Zoning out & Forgetfulness in ADHD.  

Get your ADHD test
Avery Lombardi, MSc, author for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Avery Lombardi, MSc
Author

Avery Lombardi is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She has professional experience in psychological assessment, evidence-based therapy, and research, working with both child and adult populations. Avery has provided clinical services in hospital, educational, and community settings, delivering interventions such as CBT, DBT, and tailored treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, and developmental disorders. She has also contributed to research on self-stigma, self-esteem, and medication adherence in psychotic patients, and has created educational content on ADHD, treatment options, and daily coping strategies.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS, author and a reviewer for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.