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340Duster t1_j40d6k4 wrote

ADHD has entered and left the chat.

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drfarren t1_j411h7g wrote

"weeps in ADHD induced memory loss"

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Justice_0f_Toren t1_j4179vu wrote

>"weeps in ADHD induced memory loss"

Is, is that a thing??

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Hyfrith t1_j417t5w wrote

Idk about ADHD but I have a terrible memory, particularly regarding work-based matters and conversations, because my anxiety means I'm often not "present" in the conversation and am instead racing ahead in my mind worrying and trying to plan this future work, instead of paying attention in the moment.

Perhaps ADHD has a similar effect on someone's ability to focus in the moment, meaning they forget things people say etc.

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enigmamonkey t1_j42ctt4 wrote

Are you me?

I think this shit plagues me. Sadly, I must admit… I’m so distracted (undisciplined? spoiled/privileged? ADHD? all of the above?) that I’m sitting here on reddit instead of getting ready for work. But even during the regular work day, this affects my memory. Like, right now, I’ve got a ton of interesting ideas on things I wanna pursue and research (as well as slack off, like what I’m doing here) instead of thinking/focusing on what’s important right now. Probably because it’s just too easy.

But when I’m in “the zone,” it’s the complete opposite.

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Hyfrith t1_j43ii2p wrote

Haha, I thought I had ADHD for months and months. Everything I read about it seemed to point to my exact symptoms, struggles and experiences. It was only when my chronic procrastination got me in trouble at work that I sought out a therapist. She didn't think I had ADHD after I told her everything, and instead helped me realise what I actually have is very acute, very suppressed anxiety. Which has ADHD-like symptoms with distraction (avoidance), procrastination, memory issues for example.

A YouTuber I admire called Better Ideas has a great mantra for procrastination. "Inaction is a slow death". Taking action we're afraid of is painful, but the pain of leaving it to grow and fester in our mind is worse over time. Better to choose the short term pain and just get ready for work, because the personal pain and guilt and stress of being late, or not going, or getting in trouble for it with your boss will feel worse in the long run.

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drfarren t1_j41kw25 wrote

Yes. ADHD can affect memory formation for both short term and long term memory.

Think about a time you walk into a room and then forget why you're there. You're sure it was important, but for the life of you, you just can't recall why you are there. Now, imagine that it happens constantly. You need to do dishes. Walk to the kitchen, forget, see the dishes, but you still don't remember because you're so focused on trying to remember that the visual cue doesn't trigger a memory. You stand there for a while then decide to do the laundry. You get to your bedroom, forget, and think that it's time to take a nap. So you nap.

My wife has to remind me all the time to do things. I'm not mad at her, it's just that my memory needs a kick start. At work I HAVE to write things down or I will forget to do them and it will reflect negatively on me. I genuinely don't know if I'll ever be able to get a promotion because of this disability. I can't blame a company for not wanting to promote someone who can't function correctly into a position of trust with large sums of money and responsibility over several dozen people.

This disability will NEVER go away. It will NEVER heal. I have to take medication for the rest of my life and if I stop I will become so dysfunctional that I will need near constant babysitting to keep me from causing chaos. ADHD fucking sucks.

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x2shainzx t1_j41bvtw wrote

Yes. It directly impacts working and long term memory.

Source: Have ADHD

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gravitas-deficiency t1_j42cd03 wrote

I will think of like 20 things I need to do. I will think “I should write this down, I won’t recall all of this”. I will be busy with something else and forget to write the things down. Days later, I will remember 2 or 3 of the 20 things. I will stress about the remainder that I cannot remember.

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