Why do ADHD memory issues cause higher stress levels?

PostedNovember 18, 2025

UpdatedJanuary 1, 2026

ByMy Patient Advice

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

For many people with ADHD, forgetfulness isn’t just inconvenient, it’s exhausting. Repeated lapses in memory or organisation can leave people feeling anxious, guilty, and overwhelmed. According to NICE guidance (NG87, 2025) and the NHS England ADHD Taskforce (2025), ongoing executive-function challenges make the ADHD brain work harder to stay organised, which contributes to chronic stress and emotional fatigue.

How ADHD forgetfulness creates stress

ADHD affects the working-memory system; the part of the brain that holds short-term information and guides planning. When this system is overloaded, tasks get forgotten, deadlines slip, and the stress response kicks in.
Research published in Frontiers in Psychology (2024) and PubMed (2025) shows that each small lapse activates the body’s “fight-or-flight” stress system, releasing cortisol and raising emotional tension. Over time, this pattern can lead to constant mental exhaustion and reduced self-confidence.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists explains that people with ADHD often internalise forgetfulness as personal failure, compounding stress levels through self-blame. These emotional reactions, rather than the memory lapses themselves, drive chronic anxiety and frustration.

Emotional regulation and the ADHD brain

Neuropsychological studies have found that ADHD-related executive dysfunction also disrupts emotional regulation. The brain struggles to “reset” after a setback, meaning that one forgotten task can snowball into guilt, panic, or rumination.
A 2024 Comprehensive Psychiatry review confirmed that people with ADHD show higher baseline stress levels and slower physiological recovery after mistakes; a pattern known as chronic hyperarousal.

Late diagnosis or untreated ADHD amplifies this cycle. Without understanding the neurological basis for forgetfulness, adults may push themselves harder, experiencing more burnout and self-doubt over time.

Reducing stress through treatment and support

Fortunately, evidence shows that treatment works. NICE and NHS guidance recommend CBT, ADHD coaching, medication, and psychoeducation to reduce both cognitive and emotional strain.
CBT helps reframe negative thoughts (“I’m careless”) into more accurate ones (“My brain works differently, and I can plan for that”). Coaching and structured routines help externalise memory tasks, reducing daily cognitive load.

Studies in BMJ (2024) and PubMed (2025) confirm that addressing working-memory deficits through therapy and medication lowers perceived stress and improves emotional wellbeing.

Takeaway

ADHD memory issues trigger stress not because people don’t care, but because their brains juggle too much information without enough support. Every missed detail can feel like a crisis. With therapy, medication, and self-compassion, it’s possible to turn daily chaos into a calm, predictable structure and finally breathe easier.

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.