Why I Can't Remember Things -- How ADHD Affects Working Memory

Working memory, like RAM, temporarily holds information. ADHD impairs this, reducing the number of "slots" and causing information loss. This impacts tasks requiring short-term memory retention. Strategies like using lists and minimizing distractions help compensate for this limitation. Executive function deficits also contribute to working memory challenges in ADHD. in computer terms, it’s kind of like our RAM. it’s where we store information we’re actively working with --either by remembering it, often while paying attention to something else, or doing something with it. we use working memory for things like remembering a number while we look for a pen to write it down, doing math in our head or remembering what we just read. we can save information we want to our hard drive through techniques like “studying.” while our long-term memory (or “hard drive”) is typically just fine, working memory is often impaired in ADHD --they essentially get fewer slots --especially when it comes to verbal/auditory working memory, which includes things like reading or remembering what someone said. this is why lists and planners are often recommended for those with ADHD --not because it’s easy for us to use them, but so we can save our working memory slots for information we’re actively working with rather than taking them up with things we just don’t want to forget.