Highlights
- Object permanence refers to the idea that objects continue to exist even when you can’t see, hear, or touch them; there is a theory that a lack thereof causes the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ problems in ADHD.
- Developing object permanence is a crucial childhood milestone that, on average, occurs around 8 to 9 months of age but can happen as early as 3.5 months.
- Although it is believed that people with ADHD struggle with object permanence challenges, this is not 100% accurate as they do understand objects continue to exist even without visual cues.
- The so-called ‘out of sight, out of mind’ difficulties experienced by ADHD patients are, in fact, due to poor working memory and not real object permanence issues.
What Is Object Permanence?
You’ve likely played peek-a-boo with a baby. It’s great fun, and this simple game will help you understand the term object permanence.
You hide your face behind your hands, and the baby gets confused or upset when they can’t see you but squeals with delight when you reappear; this little one doesn’t understand that you are still in front of them and believes you no longer exist; you are gone. This bambino still lacks object permanence. But after a while, the infant starts to look for you when you hide your face; then realizes that objects continue to exist, even when they are not immediately visible, and they have now developed object permanence.
Object permanence is the idea that objects continue to exist even when you can’t see, hear, or touch them.
This is a key cognitive development stage
So, as defined in developmental psychology, object permanence is straightforward; even though you have no visual cues, an object still exists. However, the understanding of object permanence in the context of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is more complex.
How Does Object Permanence Relate to ADHD?
If you or your loved one has
One theory is that object constancy issues in ADHD are a result of the common symptoms that are key for ADHD diagnosis:
- Low attention
- High energy and activity
- Low impulse control
If you have a low attention span and are easily distracted, it would explain the ADHD-related ‘out of sight, out of mind’ phenomenon. Right?
But let’s delve deeper and talk about something called
- Short-term memory: Think of short-term memory like a small cup. You can pour a limited amount of liquid (information) into it, but once it’s full, any extra fluid you try to add will spill out.
- Executive attention: This part of the working memory decides what fluid (information) to pour into the cup. Should it be water, juice, or coffee? But, it can only handle a few decisions at a time and has to prioritize the information.
It is well-documented that the ADHD brain has a
The Impact of Object Permanence on ADHD Symptoms
Whatever the underlying cause is, the perceived ‘object permanence problems’ seen in ADHD don’t only relate to objects but might present as other permanence challenges. The short-term memory affected by ADHD struggles to hold tasks, ideas, and even the person’s own thoughts and feelings and can also result in a lack of emotional permanence.
Emotional permanence is the certainty that you are loved even when your loved ones are not around.
The Effects of Object Permanence Issues on Someone With ADHD
It makes sense that these perceived emotional and object permanence deficits can have negative effects on the lives of people with ADHD, and ‘out of sight, out of mind’ manifests in various ways.
ADHD typically presents in childhood, and the inattentive aspect might manifest in the following ways:
- Difficulty following instructions
- Appearing not to listen
- Making careless mistakes in schoolwork
- Avoiding homework
- Losing toys, assignments, items of clothing
- Having conflict and poor friendships with other children
It is now recognized that these can extend into adulthood, estimated to affect
- Being easily distracted
- Difficulty paying attention in large groups
- Appearing disorganized
- Having poor time management
- Being overly forgetful
- Apparent poor decision-making and procrastination
- Forgetting daily tasks
- Difficulty focusing on daily tasks
- Often losing things
- Difficulty completing large projects
- Difficulty multitasking
- Not paying attention to detail
- Difficulty listening
- Not following through on instructions or commitments
- Not paying bills
- Missing deadlines or appointments
- Neglecting household chores
- Increased driving accidents or poor driving skills
- Forgetting to take medication
These symptoms and their knock-on effects can be divided into three broad categories:
- Inability to focus on or complete tasks at home and work.
- Failure to maintain relationships: Patients with ADHD may experience separation anxiety because they have difficulty believing they are still valued when they are away from their loved ones or work colleagues and have no tangible feedback. This insecurity can manifest as seeking constant validation, needing reassurance, and experiencing mood swings.
- Tendency to develop mood disorders: It makes sense if the difficulties and symptoms surrounding tasks and relationships are not managed, the mood might be affected and possibly lead to depression and anxiety. In addition, poor sleep
affects 70% [8*] of adults with ADHD.
Should you recognize these behaviors in someone undiagnosed with ADHD, encourage them to talk to a healthcare professional for an opinion. Some people might hesitate to seek help being afraid of the stigma, but remind them that an ADHD diagnosis is not only thunderclouds but also rainbows; some symptoms of ADHD can be superpowers if you learn to use them to your advantage, and the other classic ADHD behaviors are manageable.
It can be frustrating for those who have a significant other with ADHD feeling like they have just talked about something, but then it is forgotten as soon as the conversation is over. Often, a suitable treatment plan leads to vast improvement, so it is worth scheduling an appointment with a healthcare provider. "
Managing Object Permanence Issues in ADHD
As you can imagine, living or working with someone with would-be object permanence problems and who can’t follow through with tasks is very difficult; the knock-on effects cause decreased functioning in the personal and professional lives of people with ADHD.
The good news is that there are ways to help the working memory keep objects, tasks, and emotions in the short-term memory’s focus.
Advice to Keep Tasks on Track
The principle here is to have a constant visual reminder of the task at hand, thus avoiding the urge to drift to a different task.
Set Alarms
Set alarms to create reminders and push notifications on mobile devices or computer screens. The sensory cues (sight and sound) keep the short-term memory focused on the task. Importantly, setting a medication reminder is essential to control physical and mental health issues and stay healthy.
Consider One-on-one Meetings
If possible, schedule meetings individually for better focus and maintain eye contact during conversations to keep the working memory engaged.
Set Reminders
Use organizational tools and visual reminders such as calendars, structured lists, and checklists, available on mobile applications. Another option is to write things down to keep your short-term memory engaged. However, paper is easily misplaced.
Maintain a Daily Routine
Have a daily routine that helps to keep tasks on track. For example, set your clothes out for the next day, the night before. Get up, immediately make the bed, shower, get dressed, have breakfast, brush your teeth, and leave for work. Be strict about routine.
Communicate Effectively
Only open emails and text messages when there is dedicated time to read them and respond immediately.
Use Color
Use visual cues such as different colors to categorize appointments in your calendar, bright sticky notes on mirrors or doors, or put a chalkboard in your office or kitchen.
Designate Storage Areas
Have a designated area for certain objects. For example, always put your keys in a bowl at the front door, or your glasses on your bedside table.
Advice to Strengthen Relationships
Obviously, separation anxiety, which might manifest because of emotional permanence difficulties, can put a strain on adult relationships at home and work. Here is a list of strategies to protect relationships with family members and colleagues:
Talk Openly
Communicate feelings and express needs, for example, request physical contact or one-on-one time with the person.
Regulate Emotions
Acknowledge difficult emotions and regulate those emotions with mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness means observing your feelings and bodily sensations without judgment, noticing how you might have control over them, and changing these sensations with deep breaths or relaxation techniques. Mindfulness helps to remember that such physical and psychological symptoms are temporary and can be overcome.
Have Alone Time
Schedule ‘me time’ for uplifting activities away from work and personal relationships. Work in the garden, attend an art class, or go for a facial or massage. Whatever it is, quality alone time reduces dependence on others through self-fulfillment and increases self-worth.
Get Support
Join a support group. An ADHD community will provide practical advice and reduce the feeling of isolation.
When to Seek Professional Support
If you or a loved one have an ADHD diagnosis, and the so-called object permanence problems are interfering with your mental health, social relationships, or activities of daily life, it is time to seek professional support. The good news is that treatment plans can make a significant difference, and the healthcare professional will decide on the appropriate way forward. This may include individual, family, or couples therapy and possibly medication management options. At MEDvidi, you can see an online ADHD specialist in 24 hours and receive a personalized treatment plan.
Summing It Up
There are theories that the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ difficulties experienced in ADHD are due to object permanence issues. This is, in fact, not the case because ADHD patients are aware that even when they cannot see or hear something, it continues to exist. Instead, the symptom of distractibility is thought to result from the poor working memory of ADHD brains. The bottom line is that whatever the cause, ADHD can be managed effectively—see dedicated healthcare professionals at MEDvidi online to get the help you need.
