Does your ADHD subtype affect your memory?

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that is often thought of in terms of its impact on focus and behavior. However, its effect on memory, particularly in adults, is an area of growing interest. Research has shown that the subtype of ADHD an individual has can influence their memory capabilities in different ways. For instance, adults with the inattentive subtype of ADHD (ADHD-I) typically show more difficulties in memory-related tasks than those with the combined subtype (ADHD-C).

When we look at younger individuals, such as teenagers, the differences in memory performance between ADHD subtypes become even clearer. Studies involving adolescents have revealed that those with the inattentive subtype (ADHD-I) generally perform worse on tests like the Digit Span and Stroop Test, which are designed to assess working memory and the ability to handle distractions. In contrast, those with the combined subtype (ADHD-C) exhibit broader impairments, particularly in tests that involve complex problem-solving.

Children with ADHD also display varying cognitive abilities based on their specific subtype. The ADHD-Inattentive (ADHD-I) subtype is often associated with lower cognitive abilities compared to the Hyperactive (ADHD-H) and Combined (ADHD-C) subtypes. Interestingly, across all ADHD types, working memory is a common area of challenge, indicating that irrespective of the subtype, working memory is a facet of cognition that ADHD significantly impacts.

The good news is that working memory can be enhanced with practice, even in individuals with ADHD. A study conducted by Klingberg et al. in 2005 found that children with ADHD who engaged in specific training exercises showed long-term improvements in their working memory. This suggests that while ADHD can affect memory, there are effective ways to mitigate these challenges through targeted interventions and training.