Is Forgetfulness a Core Symptom of ADHD? 

Forgetfulness is indeed a core symptom of ADHD, often impacting both children and adults. For individuals with ADHD, memory issues are more than just occasional lapses, they can significantly affect daily life, leading to missed appointments, forgotten tasks, or misplaced items. This symptom is tied to the challenges in attention regulation, with the brain having difficulty holding onto or recalling important information. As a result, individuals with ADHD often struggle with maintaining organisation and completing tasks in a timely manner. 

While memory issues related to ADHD can sometimes be mistaken for disinterest or lack of responsibility, the reality is that these difficulties are a natural result of how the ADHD brain processes information. Forgetfulness can also manifest in more subtle ways, such as forgetting to follow through on verbal commitments or losing track of time while completing tasks. These ADHD traits can be frustrating, both for the individual with ADHD and those around them. 

How Forgetfulness Shows Up in ADHD 

Forgetfulness as part of ADHD is more than just forgetting names or appointments. It can appear in various everyday situations, including.

• Misplacing items: Frequently losing personal belongings like keys, wallets, or phones. 

• Difficulty following instructions: Forgetting steps in tasks, such as when working on a project or completing a series of actions. 

• Procrastination and missed deadlines: Forgetting to plan ahead or underestimating how much time is needed to complete a task, leading to delays and last-minute stress. 

These ADHD traits don’t reflect a lack of intelligence or willpower, but rather a result of the brain’s difficulty in managing and retaining information effectively. Strategies like setting reminders, using organisational tools and creating routines can help manage forgetfulness and improve memory retention. 

For personalised guidance on addressing forgetfulness and memory issues related to ADHD, providers like ADHD Certify offer consultations to help build practical strategies for daily life. 

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