Good Systems · public information library

How can I help someone when interruptions knock them off track for a long time?

People come here to understand why something in everyday life feels harder, different or more costly than it should — and what might make it work better.

Short answer

Protect the thread of the task.

What this can look like

A small interruption can erase the details needed to return to a task, especially when the task has many parts.

Why it can happen

Interruptions can wipe out the details needed to restart. A “not now” cue, a capture note or a known return time makes it easier to resume without pretending interruptions have no cost.

What might help

Ask if the interruption can wait. If not, allow a capture note and agree when the person can return.

What the research helps explain

Australian ADHD guidance and international consensus evidence describe ADHD as affecting everyday functioning for some people, including attention, planning, memory, time and follow-through. Practical support can still be useful without deciding that ADHD is the explanation.

What can vary

Stress, sleep, health, environment, task design and preference can create similar patterns. Do not diagnose someone from a pattern or give support they have not asked for.

For this situation

For you, make returning legitimate; do not expect them to remember every unfinished thread.

More info and original sources

Poko summarises the relevance of public original sources and links out for anyone who wants to read more.