Author: In Balance Counseling

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is more than just a short attention span. Adults and children may live with many ADHD symptoms that affect their behavior, mood, and ability to learn.

Here, we’ll explore the question, “Does ADHD affect memory?” and discuss some strategies you can use to improve your memory. With a few powerful techniques and individual counseling in Tucson, AZ, from In Balance Counseling for support, it’s possible to improve your memory and manage some of the daily challenges you face. Make an appointment by calling (520) 722-9631.

The Connection Between ADHD and Memory Deficits

Everyone has the occasional absent-minded or forgetful moment, but for people with ADHD, memory issues are often a daily occurrence. So, how does ADHD affect memory?

ADHD can affect all three types of memory: working, short-term, and long-term.

Working memory is your active memory, which supports executive functioning. In theory, it’s how you process, store, and retain information to complete tasks. In practice, it’s remembering how to follow multi-step directions or stay focused during complex cognitive tasks.

Short-term memory involves how well you remember things a few seconds or minutes after they happen. ADHD can create short-term memory deficits by causing you to lose vital information, like instructions, soon after you hear them.

Finally, long-term memory is your ability to retain information indefinitely. In addition to storing experiences, long-term memory preserves your skills, knowledge, and more. 

It’s important to recognize that ADHD does not cause memory loss. Instead, the disorder leads to distractibility and a loss of focus that prevents memories from ever being stored. 

Also, not everyone with ADHD experiences memory issues to the same extent. Research suggests that about 85% of children with ADHD have working memory issues, which can extend into adulthood. There’s also evidence that the more severe your ADHD symptoms, the more severe your memory issues will be. 

How Memory Problems Affect People With ADHD 

ADHD-related memory issues can manifest in multiple ways throughout your life. 

The effect on working memory can make it difficult to complete tasks or require frequent reminders of the necessary steps. Planning and organization can also be more difficult because of executive function impairment. 

It’s common for people with ADHD in adulthood to have difficulty remembering names, for example, or to require multiple reminders to avoid missing appointments. Issues with lateness and challenges doing work efficiently can also arise from ADHD-related memory issues. 

Improving Memory With ADHD

ADHD is incurable, but you can strengthen and improve your skills with in-depth therapies and training. The tools counselors use to help people with ADHD improve their memories include:

• Memory games and exercises, like puzzles and brain-training apps 
• Memorization techniques 
• Assistive technology, like smartphone alarms
• Mindfulness and meditation exercises 
• Visual aids

Get Help Managing ADHD at In Balance Counseling 

Does ADHD affect memory and your ability to work and live a fulfilling life? Schedule your first therapy session at In Balance Counseling in Tucson, AZ, by calling (520) 722-9631 and see how you can start to regain control over your life. 

As you may already know, accepting you have a problem, whether caused by self-destructive behavior or uncontrollable factors around you, is already half the battle. That’s because now you can take steps toward the proper solutions, which for most people begins with signing up for therapy. If you’ve already done so or plan to, how do you know what to expect from your first therapy session?

Anticipating speaking to a stranger about deep, personal concerns can evoke anxiousness, especially if you don’t understand what happens during a session. To make things a bit easier, our caring and specialized team that has been providing counseling in Tuscon, AZ, for over 25 years breaks down below what you and your therapist should bring to the table. 

What Expectations Should Your Therapist Meet? 

Therapists want to become acquainted with your unique situation before offering assistance. For instance, they’ll wonder what brought you to therapy, how you feel, and why. So, during your first session, they’ll ask questions rather than work toward potential solutions, making this session vastly different from future ones.

Afterward, they’ll ask about important people, times, and things in your life, like your childhood or past, loved ones, and current living situation. By delving briefly into love, life, and career, the therapist notes your attitude about certain things and where troubles lay. They’ll wait until the second session before further pinpointing symptoms or trauma. 

What You Shouldn’t Expect From Your Therapist

When asking for help, expect a therapy session overview from your therapist alongside a treatment length agreement. However, first therapy session expectations shouldn’t involve them solving all your problems. A therapist isn’t there to speak ill of those who have hurt you or reprimand them for doing so, nor are they there to make the pain magically go away.

Instead, they offer a gentle voice and trained, considerate ear to listen to your troubles. Aside from obtaining a confidant, you’ll receive the appropriate tools and resources to better deal with your concerns yourself. 

What Should You Expect From Yourself?

Now that you know what happens in a therapy session, what can you do when preparing for your first therapy session? First and foremost, brace yourself for emotion, especially if you’re not used to opening up to people about your concerns (even those closest to you). 

Many clients keep trauma and other important information buried. However, being candid allows you to accept certain facts more easily and heal and gives your therapist the full story to work with. So, expect to show your sensitive side and feel emotionally drained after the initial therapy appointment experience. 

Finding Balance In Your Mind, Body, and Soul One Step at a Time!

When preparing for your first therapy session, whether for identifying an anger problem or surviving trauma, use this as a counseling session guide to help you prepare. As a family-owned company, we see the importance of treating everyone like our own. So, to learn what to expect from your first therapy session or find recovery techniques and set goals, call In Balance Counseling at 520-722-9631!

Everyone feels a little angry now and then. It’s normal to get upset when someone does something to harm you or a loved one or feel frustrated when things don’t go your way. But when you find yourself feeling angry over every minor convenience, and your responses start to affect other areas of your life, you may need some help. 

You might be asking, “How do I know if I have an anger problem?” While there’s no substitute for a professional diagnosis, if you notice the following behaviors, consider getting help. You can call In Balance Counseling, a leader in counseling services in Tucson, AZ, at (520) 722-9631 to make an appointment to see a professional. 

Common Types of Anger

People can experience anger in different ways and intensities. There are three primary types of anger.

• Inward anger, in which you direct your feelings internally and punish yourself with negative self-talk and self-denial.
• Outward anger, where you express your feelings physically and verbally toward other people and things.
• Passive anger, also known as passive-aggressive behavior, where you express your anger by giving silent treatment, sarcasm, sulking, and other behaviors meant to make others feel bad. 

If you struggle with anger, you may experience one or all of these types. 

Signs You Need Help Managing Your Anger 

Feeling angry is normal, so it can be hard to answer, “How do I know if I have an anger problem?” There are some signs that you struggle with anger to watch for, including:

• Your reactions aren’t equal to the situation; in other words, small or petty things set you off 
• Hurting people physically or verbally 
• Regretting your behavior after you calm down 
• Taking out your feelings on innocent people or objects 
• Feeling out of control 
• Feeling angry most of the time 
• Physical symptoms, like increased blood pressure, sweating, headaches, and heart palpitations 
• Others have spoken to you about your anger 
• Trouble with jobs, relationships, or other aspects of your life because of your anger 

If any of these statements apply to you, consider getting professional help to learn new skills for anger management.

Do You Have Intermittent Explosive Disorder? 

Some people have a mental health condition that causes them to have sudden outbursts of impulsive, aggressive, and violent behavior that are far more extreme than the situation warrants. Intermittent explosive disorder often occurs with other mental health conditions, but it can also be genetic or a stress reaction.

If you experience frequent unexpected outbursts of anger that affect other aspects of your life, you may have intermittent explosive disorder. This condition is more severe than typical anger issues and requires professional intervention and treatment. 

Live a More Balanced Life

Learning how to manage your anger can make a significant difference in all aspects of your life. If you want to know more about “how do I know if I have an anger problem?” or the effects of emotional trauma, call (520) 722-9631 to make an appointment with In Balance Counseling in Tucson.