Forgetfulness in Teens: Warning Signs and How to Support
It’s not always possible to remember everything. Forgetfulness is part of being human from time to time. Adults and children alike will inevitably forget to complete a task or where they placed something, and most of the time, this isn’t a cause for concern. However, forgetfulness in teens can come in varying degrees. Forgetting to complete schoolwork or chores can happen every so often. However, if your child is consistently finding remembering things to be a challenge, this could be a sign of a larger issue.
From school to family, friends, and extracurricular activities, teens today have a lot on their plates. Further, adolescence is a time of significant change and increased stress levels for many teens. Therefore, sometimes symptoms of forgetfulness may be tied to stress or more serious mental health issues. In addition, they’re commonly tied to issues like ADHD.
If you’ve noticed increased forgetfulness in your teen and it seems to tie up with a period of increased stress, a mental health professional can help. They can support you and your child in getting to the root of the issue and provide tools for coping.
This page can also help you better understand forgetfulness in teens and how it relates to stress and other mental health disorders by exploring:
- How stress impacts memory in teens
- Potential causes of memory problems in youth
- ADHD and memory issues in adolescents
- Ways to manage academic difficulties and mental health
- Treatment of ADHD in adolescents
- Where to find professional support
How Stress Impacts Memory in Teens
In the field of neuroscience, there is a concept called “neuroplasticity,” which is the brain’s ability to adapt to changes. This ability plays a large role in cognitive functioning throughout life. However, adolescence is a time when the brain is particularly maturing and developing this plasticity.1 Therefore, teens who experience chronic stress can show changes in their brain structure and function.
By taking care of their bodies and mental health, teens can ensure that their brains are getting the right molecules to develop correctly. However, when the body is exposed to stress regularly, the brain gets exposed to too much of certain molecules and too little of others.
For instance, stress is associated with increased cortisol exposure, which is linked to memory loss and problems with mood regulation. However, the severity of these impairments is dependent on a few factors, like the type, duration, and intensity of the stressor.1,2
Yet, in general, studies show that when adolescents are exposed to chronic stress, it can lead to difficulties with learning, decision-making, and emotion regulation. In addition, it can make a teen more vulnerable to developing depression and anxiety.1
Causes of Memory Problems in Youth
The memory problems youth can experience may come from memory deficits related to anxiety. This is because of how much energy is available to process information. For example, when teens have high levels of anxiety, they typically pay greater attention to threatening situations and stimuli than other things around them, even if they are more relevant. In school, this can emerge as not being able to remember homework or in-class assignments because they are more focused on worrying about the future and problems that might arise.5
There are also known problems with working memory in teens with learning disabilities such as dyslexia or dyscalculia. These issues can affect three distinct areas of memory in youth: visual, spatial, and phonological working memory.
Other memory problems in youth tied to learning disabilities include problems with processing and storing written information, particularly for children with reading disabilities. This is tied to other executive functioning issues youth experience and poorer academic achievement, especially for students experiencing deficits in multiple areas of memory.6
Being able to identify memory problems in your child and how they impact their academic performance can help direct treatment efforts. In the next section, we consider one common cause of forgetfulness in teens: attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
ADHD and Memory Issues in Adolescents
We’ve discussed the impact of stress, anxiety, and learning disabilities on memory in adolescents. However, one condition that could cause significant problems with memory is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impairs attention and causes issues like hyperactivity and impulsivity. Higher-order executive functioning in the brain, including working memory, is significantly impacted in students with ADHD. The areas in the brain associated with these processes are typically underdeveloped in teens with ADHD, and this is what causes symptoms related to memory and learning.7 In the following section, we take a closer look at the ADHD and memory issues adolescents can experience, specifically regarding short-term memory.
Short-Term Memory and ADHD
Another area of memory that is impacted in ADHD is phonological short-term memory, which is the ability to hold and maintain a certain amount of verbal information. Time decay, or the loss of information based on how much time passes, is one mechanism that researchers believe contributes to ADHD and memory issues in adolescents.7,8
A second theory is based on the interference model, which means that children with ADHD cannot filter out distractions, and this makes them lose the mental capacity for relevant information. Interference can include external factors like excess noise in a classroom, as well as internal factors like a child’s thoughts.7
Other studies looked at how aspects of inattention in ADHD are related to memory. One major finding showed that behavioral inattention (the limited attention people give to information from their environment) predicted auditory-verbal and visual-spatial working memory performance. Auditory-verbal working memory is linked to achievement in reading and math, while visual-spatial working memory is specifically tied to achievement in math.8 Therefore, if a teen has issues with memory in these areas, behavioral inattention may be responsible. A healthcare provider can help you determine if this is an area of concern for your teen.
Now that we have discussed the signs of memory problems tied to ADHD in adolescents, the next section will focus on getting your child the right support and treatment.
Managing Academic Difficulties and Mental Health
Because of the issues discussed previously, chronic stress can be tied to poor academic performance in teens. Therefore, combining the support of both the school and parents in stress reduction techniques for adolescents may be important. Some examples of ways you can help your child cope with stress and manage academic difficulties and mental health are by encouraging them to get adequate physical activity and enough sleep. Additionally, providing resources like stress management workshops, support groups, and counseling can go a long way in helping your child decrease their stress.1,3
Other ways to combat stress-related academic difficulties are strengthening self-esteem, improving flexibility, and engaging in mindfulness practices. Mindfulness is especially important when academic difficulties are tied to stress because it is based on the idea of living in the present moment without judgment. It can also include having your child envision a stressful situation more objectively, which allows them to view these situations as “challenges” rather than “disasters.”3
Coping Skills for School Stress
Teaching adolescents coping skills for school stress can also mitigate academic problems. Some examples of coping skills for school stress in adolescents are avoiding excess caffeine, learning muscle relaxation exercises, and participating in activities like yoga. Further, teen organizational skills support, such as breaking up large projects into smaller tasks and taking a break from stressful situations, can help.4
Parents can also help encourage the use of coping skills by observing whether your child’s stress is impacting their health, behavior, thoughts, and emotions. You can also listen carefully to your child’s concerns to help detect signs of overload. Finally, by modeling stress management skills yourself, you can promote better habits for your child.4
However, if your child is coping with issues like ADHD, coping skills may not be enough to manage forgetfulness by themselves. In such circumstances, mental health support may be necessary.
Treatment of ADHD in Adolescents
Effective treatment of ADHD in adolescents typically includes a combination of medication and psychosocial treatments. When developing a treatment plan for ADHD in adolescents, the different parts need to address the psychological, behavioral, and occupational or educational needs of your child.
This means that the first stage of getting treatment is usually planning. The severity of your child’s symptoms and how they impact everyday life, as well as comorbid mental health conditions, should be considered and discussed with all involved in care.9,10
In the following sections, we take a closer look at the two main components of treatment for ADHD in adolescents:
Pharmacological Treatment for ADHD
There are a variety of medications approved by the FDA to treat ADHD in adolescents. We can group them into two classes: stimulants and nonstimulants. Stimulants include medications like methylphenidates and amphetamines, whereas nonstimulants include Strattera, Intuniv, and Kapvay. The common methylphenidates are Concerta, Daytrana, and Focalin. The two common amphetamines are adderall and vyvanse.9,10
These different medications work on specific mechanisms in the brain to treat the symptoms of ADHD. For example, some of them target norepinephrine and dopamine, two neurotransmitters in the brain important for functioning.9,10
An important thing to note is that these medications also come with side effects. Therefore, working with a trained healthcare professional who takes into account your child’s medical history, current medications, height, and weight, and other factors that could impact pharmacological treatment of ADHD is recommended.9,10
Psychosocial Treatment of ADHD
When it comes to nonpharmacological treatment for ADHD, there are a few different options available. One of the most common types of therapy that can be used for treating ADHD in adolescence is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
The goal of CBT for ADHD is to teach your child more positive behaviors to use in place of those that are problematic. In addition, your child may get teen organization skills support and social skills training. There is also some evidence to support mindfulness-based skills training for the treatment of ADHD in adolescents.9,10 However, this is usually best used as a complementary approach to other treatments.
Another avenue to explore for ADHD treatment includes noninvasive brain stimulation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are two approaches that can be used to target inattention and impulsiveness in ADHD.9
The recommended treatment for your child will depend on a variety of factors, so it is best to consult with a health professional who is specifically trained in treating ADHD in children and adolescents.
MissionPrep: Offering Mental Health Treatment Programs for Forgetfulness in Teens
At Mission Prep, we understand how important it is for your child to be able to function appropriately in school. Feeling capable of focusing on tasks and remembering their responsibilities plays a large role in academic success. We can support your child in building the coping skills and resources necessary for achieving this success.
If your child is showing signs of ADHD or other mental health problems related to stress and anxiety, our approaches can be tailored to their unique needs. If you’re ready to combat forgetfulness or memory issues, contact our team today. We can talk to you about your current situation and provide recommendations for treatment.
References
- Shah, T. (2025). The Impact of Chronic Stress on Neuroplasticity and Memory Retention in Adolescents. Retrieved from https://nhsjs.com/2025/the-impact-of-chronic-stress-on-neuroplasticity-and-memory-retention-in-adolescents/
- Duman, R. S. (2004). Neural plasticity: consequences of stress and actions of antidepressant treatment. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 6(2), 157-169. https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2004.6.2/rduman
- Schraml, K., Perski, A., Grossi, G., & Makower, I. (2012). Chronic stress and its consequences on subsequent academic achievement among adolescents. Journal of Educational and Developmental Psychology, 2(1), 69. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/jedp.v2n1p69
- Jeyasingh, E. S. (2022). Coping strategies for adolescents dealing with academic stress. Saudi Journal of Nursing and Health Care, 5(1), 7-11. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjnhc.2022.v05i01.00
- Vasa, R. A., Roberson‐Nay, R., Klein, R. G., Mannuzza, S., Moulton III, J. L., Guardino, M., Merikangas, A., Carlino, A.R., & Pine, D. S. (2007). Memory deficits in children with and at risk for anxiety disorders. Depression and Anxiety, 24(2), 85-94. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20193
- Schuchardt, K., Maehler, C., & Hasselhorn, M. (2008). Working memory deficits in children with specific learning disorders. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 41(6), 514-523. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022219408317856
- Rapport, M. D., Friedman, L. M., Pothoven, C., & Calub, C. (2022). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Forgetfulness: Does Time-Related Decay Reflect Deficient Rehearsal?. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 44(4), 937-949. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-022-09979-3
- Storm, B. C., & White, H. A. (2010). ADHD and retrieval-induced forgetting: Evidence for a deficit in the inhibitory control of memory. Memory, 18(3), 265-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/09658210903547884
- Drechsler, R., Brem, S., Brandeis, D., Grünblatt, E., Berger, G., & Walitza, S. (2020). ADHD: Current concepts and treatments in children and adolescents. Neuropediatrics, 51(05), 315-335. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1701658
- Chan, E., Fogler, J. M., & Hammerness, P. G. (2016). Treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adolescents: a systematic review. Jama, 315(18), 1997-2008. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2016.5453
