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Is my working memory broken? 

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

If your mind feels like a sieve dropping thoughts, losing track of tasks, or forgetting what you just read you might be wondering: is my working memory broken? For people with ADHD, these mental slips are more than annoying. They’re a sign of deeper cognitive challenges tied to how the brain holds and manages information. 

ADHD working memory issues aren’t about intelligence or effort. They reflect a brain that struggles to temporarily store and juggle bits of information. It’s like trying to carry water in your hands when something always spills. That can show up as forgetfulness, missed steps, or an inability to finish what you started. 

Get your ADHD test

What Working Memory Problems Look Like 

Here’s how ADHD working memory issues tend to appear in everyday life: 

Short-term forgetfulness  

You forget names, numbers, or directions almost as soon as you hear them. 

Losing your place  

You pause mid-task and can’t remember what you were doing even seconds earlier. 

Poor follow-through  

You start things with good intentions but lose track before finishing, often without realising it. 

Mental overload  

When too many things demand your attention, your brain checks out to cope. 

In conclusion, these issues aren’t a personal failure they’re a feature of how ADHD 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.