Inattentive ADHD in Adults
It can be difficult to keep up with your classes or meetings at work without missing any important details. You may find that you don't pay your bills or return calls.
If you are suffering from inattentional ADHD, you could benefit from treatment. Medications used to treat ADHD in children are also effective for adults, with dosage and frequency adjusted to fit individual requirements.
1. Forgetting Things
Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD struggle with everyday tasks, such as paying bills or remembering important dates. They may also struggle with organization skills, such as making and keeping appointments, completing homework and managing their personal life. They might also have trouble paying attention to the details or make careless mistakes in schoolwork, work or their hobbies. They may also lose things or lose them frequently such as their wallet or mobile phone.
It's normal for everyone to forget things from time to time, but when someone with inattentive ADHD often forgets something, it may be an indication of the disorder. They might also have poor listening skills or appear to be zoning out when being addressed, even though they're attempting to concentrate on what's being said.
Girls and women tend to suffer from inattention ADHD symptoms more frequently than males and females, which researchers believe is due to biological reasons in addition to socialization and gender-specific social expectations. They might also struggle to comprehend their behaviour, which could make them misunderstand others. For example, if the child is easily distracted in school, they may be pigeonholed as apathetic or lazy by educators and coaches who aren't aware of the problem.
There are online ADHD self-screening tests that can be used to determine if symptoms are a problem however, a precise diagnosis of inattention ADHD is typically done by a healthcare specialist who is specialized in the disorder. To determine the symptoms of the disorder, they will conduct a physical examination as well as utilize tools for mental health assessment and review the family history. In general, stimulant drugs are prescribed for the disorder that boost levels of the chemical dopamine and norepinephrine inside the brain, which can improve attention and cognition. A non-stimulant medicine which takes longer to work can also be prescribed in the event that stimulants aren't well tolerated or cause side effects.
2. Missing Things
Many people with inattention ADHD have trouble keeping on top of important tasks. They might lose their keys or wallets or forget to pay the bill or leave an important note. Inattentive ADHD symptoms may also affect personal relationships and can lead to problems at school or at work.
For example, a child with inattentive ADHD might not be able to answer questions on a test as she doodles or thinks about it in her notebook. Teachers may misunderstand her behavior and dismiss it as lazy or indifferent and she may struggle academically. She may also receive insults from family members and friends. Women may be suffering from the symptoms of inattention ADHD during their professional lives. This can result in delayed deadlines or projects that are not completed.
While what is adult ADHD symptoms with inattentive ADHD find success and thrive without treatment, others find that their symptoms interfere with everyday functioning and can cause frustration, stress, or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help those with inattention ADHD develop essential skills such as prioritizing and scheduling tasks using to-do lists making routines and following them, and taking breaks. It also teaches people how to recognize their ideal attention span, so that they can plan activities accordingly.
A health professional can examine a person's inattention ADHD through a conversation with them, inquiring about their emotional and mental health history. They may also ask to talk with the person's family teachers, partners, and other close friends. They may use standardized ADHD scales for symptom assessment and tests to evaluate the person's memory working memory, executive functioning, visual and spatial abilities, and reasoning skills. They can then determine diagnose and provide effective treatment for the individual. It is essential to have health professionals perform an exhaustive examination to determine if there are any other diseases or conditions that can cause similar symptoms as inattentive ADHD.
3. Getting Things Wrong
People with inattentive ADHD struggle to complete work and other tasks. They may not remember to pay bills or file important documents. The signs could also include difficulty listening and not being able to focus when they're being talked to or listened to, either because their minds are elsewhere or because they have difficulty to concentrate on what someone is talking about.
Everybody makes mistakes, but for adults with inattentive ADHD the consequences can be much more serious. A missed deadline or a typo in a report can cost you your job. Adulthood is also a time where errors are more likely due to the demands of work and family.
Adults may have difficulty diagnosing inattention ADHD because the symptoms can be more subtle than when they were children or teenagers. A doctor can perform medical tests and look at the symptoms to rule out other possible causes. In order to be diagnosed, a person must show at least six indicators of inattention ADHD that significantly interfere with daily functioning.
There are several ways to deal with adult inattentive ADHD. Treatment options can include therapy, medication or the combination of both. Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate or amphetamines are often prescribed for inattentive ADHD. However non-stimulant drugs like atomoxetine have also proved to be effective.
Girls and women with attention-deficit ADHD are less likely to be diagnosed or receive the treatment they require despite the fact it is more common. Women and girls are more likely than men to be criticized for being unmotivated or insecure. This can impact their self-esteem, even if they've been diagnosed with ADHD. At Frida we're trying to change that by removing obstacles and making it easier for women to access an online ADHD assessment.
4. Getting Things Done Lately
People with inattentive ADHD are usually procrastinators as a result of their struggles with organization and focus. This can lead a number of problems including late payments and missed appointments, inability to respond to text or phone messages, and not remembering birthdays and anniversaries.
For adults, this may result in career reversals and social angst. In some instances it may even affect relationships. Inattentional ADHD can also lead to careless mistakes with serious consequences, for instance, losing their job due to their poor performance or sending an embarrassing email.
It's good to know that people suffering from inattentive ADHD can receive an assessment. The process involves speaking with a healthcare provider who specializes in ADHD and examining the patient's medical background and using assessment tools and performing physical or psychological tests. If a healthcare professional confirms that the person has several symptoms of inattentive ADHD that started before age 12, that they occur often in multiple environments (like school/work and home), and that they interfere with their daily functioning, they are able to determine the cause of the disorder.
Inattentive ADHD patients might find that a combination of therapy and medication can help manage their symptoms. Stimulants, which are the most popular medication for the disorder can increase the levels of brain chemicals, norepinephrine and d-dopamine. Non-stimulants can also be effective and may be prescribed if stimulants are not well tolerated or trigger adverse reactions. Antidepressants are often prescribed, particularly when a person suffers from mental health issues that are co-existing, such as anxiety or depression.
Research is ongoing to determine the root cause of inattention ADHD. The environment, biological factors (like chemical exposure) and early life experiences (like trauma and premature birth) are thought to contribute to the development of this condition.
5. Getting Things Done Wrong
If someone with inattention ADHD is trying to finish tasks, she is often guilty of careless mistakes. She also may have trouble organizing her household or work chores, and can easily be distracted by extraneous events (for younger children, this might include unrelated thoughts while for older adolescents and adults, it might be the phone call or text message). She is unable to keep track of her belongings and is often absent from her seat when it's required that she sit (for instance, during classes or meetings).
You might find it difficult to maintain stable and consistent relationships with others if you have inattentive ADHD. It can feel like you're constantly treading water - people around you see that you're above the water but they don't know the amount of effort it takes for you to keep up. You might feel more depressed and have a lower tolerance to stress and anger.
The process of getting an ADHD diagnosis can help you understand how to manage your symptoms and improve the quality of your life. If you have at least six signs of inattentive ADHD that are severe enough to impact your daily functioning, a doctor will diagnose you. They will also likely rule out other mental health issues that may cause similar symptoms.
Treatment could involve a combination of therapy and medication. Psychostimulants streamline signals sent to the central nervous system to help you focus, and they can be beneficial in alleviating some of your ADHD symptoms. Antidepressants, which affect certain chemicals that manage your mood and attention are also used to treat ADHD. Examples include bupropion and venlafaxine.