Teen Confusion & Misremembering: Causes & Help for Cognitive Symptoms
It can be surprising how often memory issues show up during adolescence. If your teen seems forgetful or remembers events happening differently from how they actually played out, it may be through no fault of their own.
Teen confusion and memory distortion can stem from a range of factors, from typical development to stress, sleep problems, or underlying mental health conditions.
If your teen’s memory problems are interfering with their life, professional advice can help identify the root of the issue. Meanwhile, understanding the reasons for memory “blips” can help you support your teen with compassion and confidence, which is where this page can be useful. This article will break down teen confusion and memory changes, covering:
- Ways to understand teen memory
- Warning signs of forgetfulness
- Causes of teen memory confusion
- Coping strategies for parents and teens
- Effective treatment options for memory challenges
- Where to find professional support
Adolescence and Memory
Memory is also essential for learning, whether that’s at school, at work, or when becoming more skilled at playing the guitar through practice. It’s like a complex filing system in the brain that lets us recall information when we need it without being flooded by irrelevant facts the rest of the time.2
Yet we all have occasional moments of forgetfulness, such as forgetting to pack a sports kit for after school, or accidentally leaving a textbook in the science lab. Occasional forgetfulness is normal, especially given the fast-paced world we live in.
On top of this, the adolescent brain is still developing, which can sometimes cause challenges. Specifically, the prefrontal cortex is one of the last parts to mature, which just so happens to be responsible for memory (among other things). This means that memory recall can occasionally be inconsistent during the teenage years.3,4 So teens might sometimes only partially remember events, fill in the gaps, or interpret interactions based on feelings rather than what actually happened, resulting in teen memory confusion.
Understanding the adolescent brain development memory connection can help parents approach their teen’s confusion or forgetfulness with compassion rather than frustration.
However, forgetfulness or misremembering can be a concern if it becomes a regular pattern.5 When memory problems begin impacting daily life, there may be something else happening under the surface. The next section explores some of the warning signs of memory issues to look for in your teen.
Warning Signs: When Teen Memory Confusion Suggests a Deeper Problem
Every now and again, things may slip our minds through stress, lack of sleep, or just plain forgetfulness. Yet, memory problems that become a regular occurrence may signal a bigger issue. Recognizing the cognitive symptoms mental health teens may show is important for adolescents to get the support they need to thrive and grow. But what should you be looking for?
Here are some warning signs that your teen may be having memory problems:
- They struggle to remember what they just learned in class
- You find yourself repeating instructions to them
- They forget where they’ve left items such as keys, phones, or headphones
- You ask them to do something, but they don’t remember you telling them to do it
- They have difficulty concentrating in class
- Managing schedules is challenging for them
- They feel confused over basic facts or the order of events
- You catch them frequently “zoning out”
- They have intense reactions or become distressed when you correct them on things they misremember
- They experience memory gaps
If any of these patterns resonate with your teen, they may be experiencing more than occasional forgetfulness. Frequent issues with memory and confusion may indicate an emotional, mental, or physical health concern.
So, what might be causing memory problems in your teen? We dive into the possible origins in the following sections.
Causes of Teen Memory Confusion
Understanding the reasons behind a teen’s memory challenges can bring clarity and compassion, especially when symptoms start interfering with daily life. Some of the potential causes of memory issues in teens are explored below.
Anxiety and Stress-Related Memory Problems
Anxiety and stress can impact memory in teenagers as well as adults. Anxiety can cause levels of cortisol – a stress hormone – to skyrocket, which may cause “brain fog” and problems with concentration. Also, anxiety can cause sleep issues, and, as sleep is essential for memory, the result can be forgetfulness.6
Additionally, stress can have a severe impact on memory and brain development. Too much stress during the period when the brain is still maturing can actually stunt the growth of the hippocampus, which is responsible for consolidating memories.7
Furthermore, stresses such as school pressure or relationship problems can overwhelm the mind, causing temporary confusion while adjusting to the stressor. This stress impacts memory teenagers need to continue learning at school and growing as people. And, given that anxiety and stress affect nearly a third of U.S. teens, this may explain the memory distortion anxiety teens experience.8,9
Dissociation and Trauma Memory Issues Adolescents May Face
Teens with past trauma may experience memory issues through dissociative amnesia. This happens because your mind may block out certain memories to protect you from distress, resulting in memory gaps as well as confusion.
What’s more, people with dissociative amnesia may not even realize they have memory problems.10 Instead, teens experiencing dissociation may say they feel disconnected or “zoned out.”11
ADHD and Mental Health Conditions
Many mental health disorders can leave teens feeling confused, detached, or with a “fuzzy” memory, and adolescence is a time when they typically emerge.3 Conditions such as anxiety, depression, dissociative disorders, schizophrenia, and trauma go hand-in-hand with disorientation and memory issues.10,12-15
Additionally, symptoms such as psychosis can interfere with cognitive processes, including memory and learning.17 While most memory confusion is not related to psychosis, it’s helpful for parents to understand the early signs of psychosis youth may exhibit.
Furthermore, parts of the frontal lobe of the brain may mature later in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), resulting in issues with memory and executive functioning.4,16 This may go some way to explaining the confusion about events youth with ADHD may feel.
Lifestyle factors
Certain lifestyle factors can also affect our memory, with sleep and nutrition playing key roles. Research shows that not getting enough sleep can make it difficult to pay attention, control impulses, and impair memory.3,18 Furthermore, vitamin and micronutrient deficiencies can affect memory, illustrating the value of eating a healthy, balanced diet.19
Knowing the potential causes of your teen’s memory issues can help you support them with confidence. But you may be wondering how you can best help your teen through this challenge. If so, the next section may help by exploring coping skills for memory issues in teens.
Practical Coping Strategies for Teens and Parents
When families understand that teen memory confusion is usually a symptom rather than a choice, conflicts at home over forgetfulness can become much more manageable, especially with practical strategies to hand. Within a safe, supportive environment, teens can rebuild confidence in their ability to recall and process information.
If you’re seeking coping techniques to help teens at home with memory problems, the following suggestions may be helpful:
- Create a calm, low-pressure environment: Reducing stress can help memory, so teens and parents might consider creating quiet, predictable routines, for instance, in the morning, after school, and when winding down for bed. These small but meaningful changes can help the brain slow down and think more clearly.
- Use memory supports: Memory aids can remove some pressure from a teen’s mental load and free up space for other cognitive processes. They may also help teens feel more grounded if their sense of time feels unreliable. Some examples of memory tools are setting phone reminders for appointments, using post-it notes to remember things, or having a calendar on the wall in plain sight.
- Validate and reassure: Gentle validation can prevent a teen from feeling embarrassed or ashamed about what they can (or can’t) remember. Parents could offer validation by commenting, “I can see why it felt that way,” if their teen misremembers events, and follow up with “Here’s what I remember from that moment.” This shows the teen they have been heard and also allows parents to share their version of events.
- Mindfulness and grounding: These practices can reduce overwhelm and stress, and help bring teens back to the present moment.
- Journaling or using voice notes: Writing or recording notes can help you remember things, especially if you experience teen memory confusion. Journaling can also help you explore your thoughts and feelings, as well as consolidate information when you first receive it.
- Be patient: It takes time to build up effective habits, so remember to celebrate small wins and progress along the way to reinforce what teens have learnt.
Home strategies can bring real relief, yet persistent confusion or false memories teens may have are often a sign of a more serious concern. In these cases, professional treatment can provide help for confused teens. We explore professional treatment options next.
Professional Treatment Options for Teen Memory Confusion
Treatment may become crucial when memory confusion, false recollections, or dissociation start to impact academic performance, relationships, functioning, or safety. But how do you begin finding treatment for your teen?
Usually, an assessment is needed to identify what’s causing their challenges. From this, a treatment plan can be developed to improve their symptoms and find relief. Over the following sections, we explore the assessment and treatment process.
Comprehensive Assessment
An assessment with a trained professional is important for identifying the reasons behind issues, as confusion and memory problems can be symptoms of a variety of conditions. Evaluations are carried out by a therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist. These evaluations provide these professionals with the information needed to determine whether memory confusion stems from anxiety, overwhelm, neurodevelopmental differences, or something else.
Once a cause has been identified, effective treatment can be recommended to tackle the root of the problem.
Therapy for Memory Issues Youth Face
Evidence-based therapies can help teens rebuild their confidence, reduce overwhelm, and understand their experiences better. Some effective approaches include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a structured therapy that focuses on changing unhelpful patterns in thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to alleviate symptoms. Teens can also learn healthy coping skills, for example, to help them manage distress caused by anxiety that may lead to memory issues.
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): DBT supports emotional regulation, communication, and distress tolerance. This can be especially useful if a mood disorder lies underneath the memory confusion.
- Trauma-focused therapy: For teens with trauma-related memory issues, therapy can help them process their past and learn healthier coping mechanisms for managing symptoms such as flashbacks or dissociation.
Medication
Medication may be a useful treatment option for teen memory confusion driven by mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD. In these cases, medication is discussed with you and your teen to decide if it is an appropriate and preferred option. However, it’s good to know that medication typically works best alongside therapy.
With the right support, teens can learn to make sense of their thoughts and memories while building confidence in their ability to cope.
Finding Clarity With Mission Prep
Teen memory confusion can feel frightening for both parents and young people, but it’s far more common and more treatable than many realize. With the right support, teens can regain stability and feel more like themselves again. Know that you don’t have to face this alone – we are here for you.
Mission Prep specializes in supporting adolescents with mental health challenges, including memory impairment. With evidence-based treatments and personalized care plans, teens can begin to heal in a way that feels right for them.
Our team is here to help. Reach out today to discover how we can support your teen and family on the path to a more confident future.
References
- APA Dictionary of Psychology. (2018, April 19). https://dictionary.apa.org/memory
- American Psychological Association (APA). (n.d.). Learning and memory. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.apa.org/topics/learning-memory
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know
- American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP). (2023). ADHD & the brain. https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/ADHD_and_the_Brain-121.aspx
- Robins, S. K. (2016). Misremembering. Philosophical Psychology, 29(3), 432–447. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515089.2015.1113245
- Boland, M. (2021, March 10). Yes, anxiety can affect your memory. Here’s how to cope. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/anxiety-and-memory-loss#coping-tips
- Harvard Health. (2011, March 7). The adolescent brain: Beyond raging hormones. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-adolescent-brain-beyond-raging-hormones
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). (n.d.). Any anxiety disorder. Retrieved November 25, 2025, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/any-anxiety-disorder
- The American Institute of Stress. (2025, April 24). Teens & Young Adults. https://www.stress.org/who-gets-stressed/teens-young-adults/#:~:text=32%25,%22less%20than%20average%20stress.%22
- Cleveland Clinic. (2025, September 17). Dissociative amnesia. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9789-dissociative-amnesia
- Tull, M. (2023, February 1). Understanding PTSD and dissociation. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-trauma-can-lead-to-dissociative-disorders-2797534#toc-trauma-and-dissociation
- Villines, Z. (2025, August 20). Is dizziness a symptom of anxiety? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/anxiety-and-dizziness#can-dizziness-trigger-anxiety
- Stanghellini, G., Fernandez, A. V., Ballerini, M., Blasi, S., Belfiore, E., Cutting, J., & Mancini, M. (2019). Abnormal space experiences in persons with schizophrenia: an empirical qualitative study. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 46(3), 530–539. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbz107
- Boyer, S. M., Caplan, J. E., & Edwards, L. K. (2022). Trauma-Related Dissociation and the dissociative disorders: Delaware Journal of Public Health, 8(2), 78–84. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2022.05.010
- Lauer, R. E., Giordani, B., Boivin, M. J., Halle, N., Glasgow, B., Alessi, N. E., & Berent, S. (1994). Effects of depression on memory performance and metamemory in children. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(5), 679–685. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-199406000-00009
- Bozhilova, N. S., Michelini, G., Kuntsi, J., & Asherson, P. (2018). Mind wandering perspective on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 92, 464–476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.07.010
- Olson, A. (2014, October 16). The effects of auditory hallucinations on the processes involved in memory. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/theory-and-psychopathology/201410/memory-and-psychosis-0
- Stefansdottir, R., Gundersen, H., Rognvaldsdottir, V., Lundervold, A. S., Gestsdottir, S., Gudmundsdottir, S. L., Chen, K. Y., Brychta, R. J., & Johannsson, E. (2020). Association between free-living sleep and memory and attention in healthy adolescents. Scientific Reports, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-73774-x
- Lassi, Z., Moin, A., & Bhutta, Z. (2017). Nutrition in middle childhood and adolescence. In The World Bank eBooks (pp. 133–146). https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-0423-6_ch11
