Are organisational systems effective for ADHD item loss?

PostedNovember 17, 2025

UpdatedNovember 18, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Phoebe Carter, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Misplacing your keys, wallet, or phone several times a day isn’t simply forgetfulness, for many adults with ADHD, it’s a symptom of how the brain processes and stores information. But do organisational systems like labelled baskets, hooks, or trackers really help?

Why ADHD causes daily item loss

ADHD affects working memory, attention, and executive function, the mental processes that help you remember where things are and what comes next.
Research from Frontiers in Psychiatry (2024) and NICE NG87 shows that people with ADHD often fail to “encode” where an item was placed if distracted or multitasking. The brain doesn’t lose the memory, it never stored it clearly in the first place.

What the evidence says

Recent studies (2023–2025) and NHS guidance confirm that structured, visible systems work best:

Fixed drop zones: consistent places for essentials, strongly reduce misplaced items.

Visual cues and labelling (colour coding, signage) reinforce memory and make retrieval automatic.

Decluttering simplifies attention and strengthens recall.

Behavioural routines and coaching (CBT, OT, ADHD coaching) help embed these habits until they become second nature.

Digital tools like trackers and phone alerts add value when paired with physical systems, but tend to lose effectiveness when used alone.

According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (CR235, 2023), the most reliable results come from combining environmental structure with habit reinforcement, what clinicians call externalising memory.

The takeaway

Organisational systems don’t fix ADHD working memory, but they bypass it. The most effective approach is layered:

Simplify your environment.

Create permanent, labelled storage for essentials.

Use small digital aids for backup, not as your only system.

Reinforce habits with coaching or CBT to make them stick.

As NICE guidance summarises: “Externalise memory and make organisation visible, consistency is the best intervention for ADHD forgetfulness.”

Phoebe Carter, MSc

Author

Phoebe Carter is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology. She has experience working with both children and adults, conducting psychological assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based therapies. Phoebe specialises in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and learning disabilities, as well as mood, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders. She is skilled in CBT, behaviour modification, ABA, and motivational interviewing, and is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to individuals of all ages.

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

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.