Cognitive Issues in Teens: What Parents Should Know

October 14, 2025

Authored by: Daniel Hoadley, B.S. Psychology

Edited by: Jemma Strain, B.S. Psychology

It’s often tough to make sense of a teen’s behavior. One day, they might seem calm and mature, but the next, they’re distracted or forgetful in ways that remind you they’re still finding their feet. While you might be aware that cognitive ups and downs are part of growing up, there might still be moments when repeated lapses in attention or memory could point to something deeper.

Awareness of cognitive issues in teens isn’t to cause worry, but to recognize what might be happening so the right kind of support can step in early. A mental health professional can help you determine the source of any concerns and the right actions to take when moving forward.

This page can also work as a guide to cognitive issues in teens, exploring:

What cognitive issues are
The causes of cognitive issues
How cognitive issues can affect teens
Whether mental health issues can be linked to teen cognitive impairment
How Mission Prep can help your teen

What Are Cognitive Issues?

When you initially hear the word “cognition,” you’d be forgiven for feeling as though it solely belongs in a psychology textbook. While psychology students do study cognition, it’s actually just a word used to describe how our minds handle everyday thinking.

Cognition is the process behind remembering names, making decisions, keeping track of time, solving problems, or simply following a conversation without losing the thread.¹ Basically, cognition is at work in almost everything we do.

When difficulties begin to creep into these processes, certain traits can start to emerge. They don’t always appear at once, but when they do, they tend to leave a mark on daily life. For example, cognitive issues can cause:

Memory lapses: Forgetting things that were once easy to recall
Poor concentration: Finding it hard to stay with a task or conversation
Slowed thinking: Taking longer to process ideas or make decisions
Disorganized thoughts: Thoughts jumping around without clear order
Reduced problem-solving: Struggling to plan or see solutions in tough situations

But of course, symptoms such as these don’t typically come out of thin air; there are usually factors affecting cognitive issues. We discuss potential causes of cognitive issues next.

What Causes Cognitive Issues?

The human brain is astonishingly complex, which is why there’s rarely a simple, straightforward cause for when cognition is impaired. However, what science does show is that certain influences can impact cognition, which is why you may see some issues rise to the surface. Some of these influences may sound almost harmless initially, while others carry more serious weight. They include:

Lack of Sleep

A meta-analysis examining the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on learning found that lack of sleep both before and after learning reduces memory performance.² These findings support the role of sleep in memory encoding (formation) and consolidation (retention).

High Stress Levels

As many of us are aware, consistently high stress levels aren’t good for us. But did you know it can also affect cognitive function? A 2024 review of chronic stress and cognition explained that ongoing stress can impair parts of the brain linked with focus and memory.³ Specifically, when stress hormones stay elevated, they can disrupt the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, making it harder to stay mentally sharp.

Nutrition

Research into nutrition and cognitive health shows that a lack of essential nutrients, such as B vitamins and iron, can limit how well the brain can function.⁴ Over time, this nutritional deficit can slow information processing and reduce concentration.

Mental Health Disorders

A systematic review of depression and cognition found that depression is often linked to slower thinking and reduced attention.⁵ Plus, these effects can linger even when mood symptoms have eased. Similar findings are also often linked to other mood disorders, such as anxiety.

Brain Tumors

Research shows that people with primary or secondary brain tumours can experience a range of cognitive changes alongside physical symptoms. For example, depending on the tumour’s location, it may disrupt areas of the brain involved in attention or memory, as well as cause fatigue, headaches, or emotional shifts.⁶

Each of these potential causes of cognitive issues in teens has its own way of interfering with the brain’s ability to manage daily thinking. They can also overlap, influence one another, and sometimes hide in the background until the symptoms become too noticeable to ignore.

Can Cognitive Issues Affect Teens?

If you’ve spent some time around teenagers, you’ll likely know how unpredictable their minds can seem. One minute they might be deeply reflective, the next they can’t remember where they left their phone – even if it’s in their hand. In most cases, such issues aren’t something to worry about. They’re a reflection of how much is going on in their brains as they grow and adapt to the world around them.

The teenage brain is going through a complete overhaul during this stage of life – we can think of it as a major developmental renovation. To be specific, it’s old neural connections being pruned away while new ones are built. Studies have shown that this process, known as “synaptic pruning and myelination,” plays a major role in shaping how teens think and behave.⁷ So, adolescence is a period of rebuilding that can sometimes look messy from the outside, but it’s all part of growing up.

Additionally, some parts of the teenage brain mature faster than others. Systems that deal with reward and emotion tend to develop earlier, while those responsible for self-control take longer to catch up.⁸ This imbalance can make teens more reactive when handling stress or making choices. It’s not that they’re “slow” or “aren’t capable”; their cognitive control systems are still finding their footing.

Because these systems are still maturing, teens often have less resilience when facing overlapping demands like school pressure or social tension.⁹ What might seem like forgetfulness or mood swings can sometimes be the brain’s way of adjusting to this transition.

Therefore, it can help to step back and recognize what’s “normal” and what might need a closer look. The next section explores when cognitive issues move beyond the usual growing pains and begin to hint at something more concerning.

Are Mental Health Conditions Linked to Cognitive Issues In Teens?

Much of what we know about the causes of cognitive issues comes from studies on fully developed adult brains. But what about teens? As we’ve already mentioned, their brains are still undergoing major changes, reshaping how they think about and respond to the world around them. This process of development can make it harder to tell whether they’re simply going through the natural growing pains of adolescence or showing early signs of a genuine cognitive issue.

While many factors can influence how a teen’s brain functions, from sleep and stress to nutrition and environment, mental health conditions are among the most significant. These conditions can affect how a young person processes information and retains what they learn.

Understanding these links can help us see that cognitive struggles are not always signs of laziness or lack of effort, but often part of something deeper that deserves attention. Mental health conditions linked to cognitive issues in teens include:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD is known for symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity that go beyond what’s expected for a teen’s stage of development. These behaviors are often accompanied by deeper cognitive issues that affect focus and memory. For example, studies have found that adolescents with ADHD tend to have weaker working memory, both verbal and visual-spatial, compared to their peers.¹⁰ This difficulty can make everyday learning tasks harder to manage and schoolwork feel overwhelming.

On top of this, impulsivity and poor inhibitory control can lead to hasty decisions or trouble finishing tasks. While these traits can sometimes be mistaken for typical teenage restlessness, in ADHD, they tend to persist and interfere with daily functioning.

Depression

Depression in teens doesn’t only impact how they feel; it can directly influence how they think. Many adolescents with depression report a sense of “brain fog” or describe moments where thoughts feel slow and unclear. Research supports these reports, showing that depressed teens often perform worse than their peers on tasks measuring memory, attention, and executive functioning.¹¹ The brain’s processing speed can also decline in depression, making concentration during lessons or conversations feel like an uphill battle.

Yet, what’s encouraging is that these symptoms often ease once depression is treated effectively, suggesting that the cognitive difficulties are closely tied to the condition itself rather than being permanent.

Anxiety Disorders

When worry or tension becomes constant, it can take up mental space that would otherwise be used for learning and problem-solving. Teens with anxiety often describe their minds as “blanking out” or racing too fast to focus, which can make even simple tasks feel draining.¹² Over time, this state of hyperarousal can interfere with working memory and slow down processing speed.¹³

Although formal tests might not always show major cognitive deficits,¹³ the day-to-day experience of struggling to focus or recall information is very real. Therefore, if anxiety continues unchecked, it can begin to shape how a teen performs at school and interacts with others.

Trauma

Experiencing trauma or long periods of stress during childhood and adolescence can leave lasting marks on how the brain develops. For example, studies link early-life adversity, such as neglect or exposure to violence, to later problems with memory, attention, and language skills.¹⁴ These changes are often tied to the body’s stress response, where prolonged exposure to stress hormones affects the brain’s ability to process and retain information. For some teens, this impact can present as difficulty learning new material or recalling details, even when they’re trying their best.

However, research also offers hope. When support systems are in place and mental health begins to improve, many of these cognitive effects can ease, showing that healing and growth are both possible.¹⁴

When Should You Reach Out for Help?

If you’ve started to notice some of the cognitive signs discussed in your teen, the most important thing is not to jump to conclusions. Every young person has “off days” or periods where motivation slips. What matters is taking a closer look at how often these moments happen and whether they seem to be affecting your child’s ability to function day to day. One helpful way to do this is by reflecting on a few simple questions, such as the following.

Note: The following questions aren’t designed to diagnose anything. Instead, they’re to help you step back and see the bigger picture. If you find yourself answering “yes” to one or more of the following questions on a regular basis, it may be worth seeking further guidance.

Does your teen often lose focus or seem unable to complete tasks that require sustained attention?
Have you noticed impulsive decisions or restlessness that seem difficult for them to control?
Do they frequently describe their mind as “foggy” or struggle to find the right words in conversation?
Are they showing ongoing difficulty remembering information they’ve just learned or recalling instructions?
Does worry or tension seem to take up most of their mental energy, leaving little room for learning or enjoyment?
Have they been unusually withdrawn, tired, or detached, even when there’s no clear reason?
Do they seem easily overwhelmed in stressful or unpredictable situations?
Have you noticed a clear drop in school performance or motivation that doesn’t improve with rest or encouragement?

If several of these questions highlight concerns, and these concerns have been happening for a while, it may be time to reach out for extra support. Early intervention can make a major difference in helping your teen understand what’s happening and get the help they need to feel more in control.

Mission Prep: Professional Support for Teen Mental Health Conditions

If this page has shone a spotlight on your teen’s behavior and left you feeling uncertain, remember that reaching out for help is never the wrong move. Sometimes, this first step can simply bring reassurance – a confirmation that what you’re seeing falls within the range of normal teenage development. Other times, it may uncover something deeper, but even then, you’ll know you’re doing the right thing for your teen by getting answers and support early.

At Mission Prep, we’ve spent years helping teens work through mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, and trauma. Our approach combines evidence-based therapies with an understanding of what it’s like to be a teenager today. We also use a blend of treatments, including our own approach to CBT, designed specifically to help young people challenge unhelpful thought patterns and build stronger emotional resilience.

As a parent, you won’t be left out of the process. Through family therapy, we help parents and teens communicate openly and rebuild trust, ensuring that progress continues at home as well as in treatment.

We also understand that every family’s situation is different, which is why we offer both outpatient and residential options. Outpatient care allows your teen to continue school and daily life while receiving regular, supportive therapy sessions. For those who need a break from their environment, our residential programs across the U.S. provide a safe and structured space to reset and heal.

Reach out to Mission Prep today to begin understanding what your teen is going through and to explore the best next steps for lasting change.

References

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Newbury, C. R., Crowley, R., Rastle, K., & Tamminen, J. (2021). Sleep deprivation and memory: Meta-analytic reviews of studies on sleep deprivation before and after learning. Psychological Bulletin, 147(11), 1215–1240. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000348
Girotti, M., Bulin, S. E., & Carreno, F. R. (2024). Effects of chronic stress on cognitive function – From neurobiology to intervention. Neurobiology of Stress, 33, 100670. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ynstr.2024.100670
Puri, S., Shaheen, M., & Grover, B. (2023). Nutrition and cognitive health: A life course approach. Frontiers in Public Health, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1023907
Kriesche, D., Woll, C. F. J., Tschentscher, N., Engel, R. R., & Karch, S. (2022). Neurocognitive deficits in depression: a systematic review of cognitive impairment in the acute and remitted state. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 273(5). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00406-022-01479-5
Chieffo, D. P. R., Lino, F., Ferrarese, D., Belella, D., Della Pepa, G. M., & Doglietto, F. (2023). Brain Tumor at Diagnosis: From Cognition and Behavior to Quality of Life. Diagnostics, 13(3), 541. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics13030541
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Ahmed, S. P., Bittencourt-Hewitt, A., & Sebastian, C. L. (2015). Neurocognitive bases of emotion regulation development in adolescence. Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, 15(1), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dcn.2015.07.006
McCormick, E. M., Qu, Y., & Telzer, E. H. (2016). Adolescent neurodevelopment of cognitive control and risk-taking in negative family contexts. NeuroImage, 124, 989–996. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.09.063
Wallace, J., Boers, E., Ouellet, J., Afzali, M., & Conrod, P. (2023). Screen time, impulsivity, neuropsychological functions and their relationship to growth in adolescent attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Scientific Reports, 13(18108). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-44105-7
Schumacher, A., Campisi, S. C., Khalfan, A. F., Merriman, K., Williams, T. S., & Korczak, D. J. (2024). Cognitive functioning in children and adolescents with depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 79, 49–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.11.005
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Tagged Authored By Daniel Hoadley, Edited By Jemma Strain