Can multitasking worsen forgetting and zoning out?

PostedOctober 17, 2025

UpdatedOctober 18, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Avery Lombardi, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

If you’re constantly juggling tasks but still find yourself forgetting details or zoning out, you’re not alone. For those with ADHD multitasking can actually make things worse. Although multitasking may feel efficient, it often leads to working memory issues and attention lapses, leaving you more distracted and forgetful.

The ADHD brain isn’t designed to handle constant switching between tasks. Instead of being able to focus on multiple things at once, the brain is likely overwhelmed, trying to divide attention between too many things. This overload causes important information to be lost or forgotten, and even tasks that seem simple can end up half-finished or ignored entirely.

Why multitasking is harder with ADHD

Here’s why ADHD multitasking can lead to increased forgetting and zoning out:

Cognitive overload

When you attempt multiple tasks, your brain becomes overloaded, making it harder to retain information and leading to attention fatigue.

Shifting attention costs

Switching between tasks takes time and energy, which causes you to lose focus on details and disrupts the continuity of your thought process.

Impaired working memory

With so many tasks at hand, your brain struggles to hold and retrieve key details, resulting in memory lapses or mistakes.

Decreased productivity

Multitasking often slows down productivity. Instead of completing one task, you end up spending more time moving between them, without any of them getting finished effectively.

In conclusion, recognising the limitations of multitasking can help you find more effective ways to manage your time and energy.

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.

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

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.