Object Permanence And ADHD: Are They Connected?
Object permanence, or the knowledge that things keep existing even when you can’t see them, usually develops during infancy. When living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), however, it can sometimes seem like things that don’t have your attention become invisible. If you live with ADHD and often get distracted and leave the water running or forget where your keys are the moment you set them down, you might wonder if you lack object permanence. So is ADHD really connected to this concept? Let’s explore this question in more detail, and then we’ll examine some tips that may help you manage the forgetfulness that can manifest as part of ADHD.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that can cause problems with impulse control, concentration, decision-making, and attention. In a 2023 analysis of 57 studies, researchers estimated that around 3% of adults worldwide are living with ADHD.
ADHD can fall into one of three categories or “presentations”—inattentive, hyperactive/impulsive, or combined—based on the type of symptoms the individual shows.
Symptoms of the inattentive presentation may include
- Having trouble staying focused on uninteresting things
- Being easily distracted
- Frequently forgetting or losing track of things
- Having trouble staying organized
- Difficulty listening to others and following directions
- Making frequent “careless” mistakes on school or work projects
Symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity may include
- Having trouble sitting still
- Finding it hard to be patient
- Talking excessively or finding it difficult to stay quiet
- Shifting quickly from one activity to another
- Taking frequent risks
- Experiencing mood swings or emotional outbursts
Often, people with ADHD struggle to manage tasks and make realistic plans—particularly those with the inattentive type. Over time, this may cause problems at work, in school, and/or in relationships. However, it is often possible to effectively manage ADHD symptoms with the right treatment. Treatment for ADHD usually includes therapy and lifestyle changes, sometimes in combination with medication.
What is object permanence?
The term object permanence refers to the knowledge that people and objects continue to exist even when you can’t see them. Babies lack object permanence for the first several months of their lives, which is why they may enjoy games like peek-a-boo. As they get older, they start to understand that even when their caregiver is out of the room or their favorite toy is covered with a blanket, these haven’t ceased to exist.
Object permanence can be easy to confuse with two other concepts: object constancy and emotional permanence. Object constancy is the idea that your loved ones still love you even when they aren’t around. It’s closely related to emotional permanence, or the knowledge that people’s feelings for you are still there even if they aren’t actively showing them.
While these concepts might seem unrelated to ADHD, there may actually be a link. People who don’t develop a strong sense of object constancy and emotional permanence in childhood may be more likely to form an insecure attachment style, which can make it harder to establish healthy emotional bonds with others. Research suggests an association between having an insecure attachment style and being diagnosed with ADHD.
Is there a connection between object permanence and ADHD?
Given what we know about ADHD and object permanence, it’s natural to wonder if ADHD causes object permanence deficits. Plus, common ADHD symptoms include struggling to focus on things that don’t have immediate consequences and being prone to forgetting or misplacing things. When you get sidetracked, it might even feel like your previous activity stops existing completely.
On the surface, these symptoms might come across as object permanence problems, but they don’t literally mean you never developed object permanence.
The bottom line: While it can be common for things to be “out of sight, out of mind” when you have ADHD, this isn’t related to your sense of object permanence.
Managing forgetfulness with ADHD
All that said, forgetfulness and distractibility can be real challenges for those living with ADHD. To manage these symptoms, you may find it helpful to:
- Create a structured, predictable daily routine
- Break large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps
- Build a habit of leaving items you use often, like your phone and keys, in the same place every time you set them down
- Set multiple alarms if you have an upcoming appointment
- Minimize distractions by silencing phone notifications and finding a quiet workspace
- Add things to your calendar as soon as you schedule them
- Build reminders into your environment (for example, setting your toothbrush out on the counter to remind yourself to brush your teeth each morning)
- Enlist others to remind you of upcoming events and important tasks (for example, asking your roommate to remind you to take the trash out if you forget)
Getting professional support through therapy can also be helpful for those experiencing symptoms of ADHD. A trained therapist may be able to help you manage your symptoms, improve your mental health, and address day-to-day challenges in a safe space. However, if you struggle with time management or staying organized, it may be hard to navigate the logistics of locating a provider near you and regularly commuting to in-person therapy.
Online therapy allows you to meet with a licensed therapist virtually from home instead, which many people find more convenient than seeking traditional, in-office care. Studies also indicate that online therapy may be an effective way to help manage ADHD symptoms. In a 2022 analysis, for instance, researchers reviewed data from six studies on online therapy for ADHD. Their findings suggest that online interventions can lead to improvements in areas like attention and social function.
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