Doctor appointments require rapid recall, structured communication, and stress regulation — areas commonly affected by ADHD.
Many adults with ADHD report that doctor appointments feel uniquely stressful. This is not a coincidence. Medical visits rely heavily on working memory, executive function, and stress regulation — areas commonly affected by ADHD.
During appointments, people are expected to recall symptoms, timelines, medication names, and past recommendations on demand. This type of rapid retrieval under pressure is particularly difficult for ADHD brains.
Research shows that adults with ADHD experience greater difficulty in service-heavy systems due to executive function challenges. This does not reflect lack of effort or understanding.
Dr. Russell Barkley and other researchers describe ADHD as a disorder of performance rather than knowledge. People often know what to say but struggle to access it under stress.
Externalising information — writing things down, having records available, reducing reliance on recall — significantly lowers stress and improves communication.
Sources
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