--- title: What is perseveration? description: When someone gets stuck on a topic or idea, it’s called perseveration. Learn about perseveration examples, why people with ADHD perseverate, and how to help. slug: perseveration-adhd-and-learning-differences author: Amanda Morin reviewer: Ellen Braaten, PhD published: '2019-08-05T15:10:06.082Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/4TvPfoUZRgEOOxAXC2fh40/1f151bd37f4bbef641cb7d02765c66e7/G1036341598.png source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/perseveration-adhd-and-learning-differences lang: en --- # What is perseveration? Many of us get fixated on an idea once in a while. But with some people, it happens more often. Perseveration is when someone “gets stuck” on a topic or an idea. You may have heard the term in regard to [autism](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-autism), but it can affect others, too. People who perseverate often say the same thing or behave in the same way over and over again. But they can get stuck on their emotions, actions, and thoughts, too. And they do it past the point where it makes sense or will change anything.  It can be frustrating for everyone involved, especially the person who’s stuck. It's not that they *won’t* stop. It’s that they don’t know how to stop. They may not even know they’re perseverating in the first place. It’s like they’re stuck in a loop they can’t get out of.  There’s a difference between perseverations and obsessions. Obsessions are more severe and are often part of a mental health condition called obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In some cases, people may have both OCD and other learning and thinking differences, like ADHD. People who perseverate aren’t being defiant or stubborn. They have challenges that cause them to get stuck. They might struggle with managing stress, processing information, shifting attention, or putting the brakes on certain behaviors or thoughts. Perseveration can also be a coping mechanism for people when they feel overwhelmed, anxious, or not familiar with a situation. --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/perseveration-adhd-and-learning-differences#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/perseveration-adhd-and-learning-differences","description":"When someone gets stuck on a topic or idea, it’s called perseveration. Learn about perseveration examples, why people with ADHD perseverate, and how to help."},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/perseveration-adhd-and-learning-differences","name":"What is perseveration?"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Article","datePublished":"2019-08-05T15:10:06.082Z","description":"When someone gets stuck on a topic or idea, it’s called perseveration. Learn about perseveration examples, why people with ADHD perseverate, and how to help.","headline":"What is perseveration?","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/perseveration-adhd-and-learning-differences","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.understood.org/#organization","name":"Understood for All Inc","logo":"https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/307jFAYQevghG8nQMCjh89/ccdbbec895765824db43f6d30b496e83/logo_lockup_navy.jpg"}}] ```