I have ADHD diagnosed in my 30’s, and can’t seem to remember names even seconds after they are said. Sometimes I try so hard that I can’t follow the conversation because I’m focusing on repeating their name over and over so I don’t forget.

Inevitably I focus back on the conversation and the person’s name is lost.

Texting their name to me tends to work, but others tend to find this odd/annoying/off-putting if I halt an organic conversation to text myself their name. And can even find it quite disrespectful.

So, Title: Have any of you “cracked” how to remember names in active conversation?

  • Nope. Not worth feeling bad about and no need to crack it. If you want to text yourself their name that’s your preference, and if they find it disrespectful enough to hold it against you, it’s a sign they’re not going to be very accommodating anyways.

    “I’m so sorry, I’m bad at remembering names” is all I need. And it also has the added benefit of weeding out people who wouldn’t be very accommodating.