Inattentive ADHD in Adults Symptoms

Do you find yourself often lost in daydreams, missing appointments or making irresponsible mistakes at work? These are indicators of inattention ADHD in adults.

People with ADHD struggle to stay on track at school, home and work. They often lose their keys or forget to return phone calls. These symptoms can affect their social and recreational activities.

1. Difficulty Paying Attention

Inattentional ADHD in adults can be characterized by trouble paying close to the minute details, losing items, and leaving work projects unfinished. You might find yourself snoring in meetings, doodles on your notebook during class, or not paying attention to the work you have to do. These problems aren't an individual flaw or a sign that you're underachieving. These are symptoms of a neurological disorder that affects anyone, but is more frequent in women.

People with inattention ADHD are more likely to lose their keys and phones on a regular basis. They frequently forget appointments, lose paperwork or documents, and fail to meet deadlines at work or at home. Their symptoms can result in tension between relationships, financial stress and a feeling of inadequacy.

A health professional will examine your symptoms and determine how they affect your daily activities to diagnose the condition of ADD/ADHD. A doctor can also rule out other mental or medical conditions that may be causing your symptoms. They might also conduct a physical examination to check for physical causes of your problems.

Your doctor might prescribe medication to help you concentrate. Stimulants, which are the most popular drugs, boost the levels of the brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine, which enhance concentration and cognition. Non-stimulant drugs may be prescribed in some instances when stimulants do not work or cause side effects. Behavioral therapy can aid in improving your ability to focus. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for example can help you learn to identify your optimal concentration span and plan tasks in accordance with. You can also practice coping techniques such as prioritizing tasks making schedules, and preparing lists.

2. Forgetting Things

Attention-deficit ADHD could be a sign of trouble if you frequently lose your keys, forget to pay your bills, or fail to make important appointments. You may also find it difficult to organize your items and having difficulty organizing your work at work or home and having difficulty to keep track of multiple projects. These are signs of unattentive ADHD which can make it difficult to succeed in school, work and in relationships.

Adults with inattention ADHD can feel like they're drowning in a sea of challenges. While they appear to be at peace and successful but they are actually working hard to stay above the water. Inattentive ADHD issues can lead to family and relationship issues as well as financial and health issues, and even low self-esteem and self-doubt if left untreated.

Inattentive ADHD is characterized by people having difficulty recalling recent events. They might make mistakes that are not their fault like missing questions on a test or ignoring mistakes in a document. Inattentive ADHD could also cause issues in relationships at school or with friends because of forgetfulness or difficulty in staying organized, as well as the tendency to jump from task to task.

The way an individual behaves is one of the most significant symptoms for an ADHD diagnosis. Therefore, if you're prone to forgetfulness and lack of organization but you manage to have a successful career as well as a loving and supportive family, you may not qualify for an ADHD assessment. A mental health professional could employ a questionnaire or checklist to determine the severity of your symptoms, or they might inquire about your past behavior and inquire about how your symptoms may have affected your life.

3. Difficulty Listening

People with inattention ADHD are unable to focus on important details when listening. They may be able to recall the basics, but have trouble taking detailed notes in class or follow instructions. They may also find it difficult to comprehend what their peers and coworkers say. This could cause frustration for all parties affected.

If you're constantly misplacing your keys or are having difficulty keeping track of your appointments it could be a sign that you have inattentive ADHD. You may have difficulty remembering conversations at work or following instructions. Your family members may complain that you forget birthday cards and other invitations.

You may notice that you are constantly interrupted by friends or colleagues and it becomes difficult to finish conversations. You may also be frightened of tasks that require sustained mental effort, or even avoid them altogether, preferring to do more pleasurable activities instead. You may misunderstand someone else or interpret their actions in a different way due to your inattentive ADHD.

Inattentive ADHD The most prevalent type among children, can be missed by adults. For instance, you might have missed assignments at school or missed class, but you didn't receive a diagnosis because hyperactivity wasn't present.

You can seek treatment from your health care provider or mental health professional who will examine your symptoms and determine if you suffer from inattentive ADHD. Read More On this page can increase your ability to focus by taking medication which help in regulating brain signals. They include psychostimulants like amphetamine and methylphenidate. They also include antidepressants like bupropion and venlafaxine. You could also benefit from speech therapy, which will teach strategies to improve your listening abilities. For instance, you could learn to occasionally nod and smile during conversations to show you're interested. You can also try to connect what someone is saying to something you already know, which could make it easier to keep their attention.

4. Distractions

People with inattentive ADHD make impulsive mistakes because they have trouble following instructions, completing tasks, and staying organized. They may also struggle with forgetfulness and avoid doing things that require a constant effort. These issues can make it difficult for them to maintain their jobs keep relationships intact, and stay on top of the demands of daily life. Adults with undiagnosed inattention ADHD may suffer from low self-esteem, feelings of failure, and constant frustration. They are often called lazy or sloppy. Adults who have been diagnosed with inattentive ADHD may be surprised to learn that their difficulties result from a medical condition.

If you have trouble listening to your professor at college or staying focused during business meetings, this could be a sign you have ADHD. You might have trouble following instructions, staying on track and keeping track of the time. This could lead to incomplete assignments or classes, a messy home, or difficulties at work or school. You may dread reading or writing and often delay your work. Read Even more may have trouble finishing your work or seeing it through until the final. You may need chew gum or drink coffee during meetings to concentrate.


A psychologist or psychiatrist with expertise in this disorder can diagnose inattentive ADHD. Your primary care doctor or family physician could recommend one. You may also want to consider taking part in a clinical study. These studies help researchers find new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat illnesses and conditions. Talk to your healthcare doctor about whether a clinical trial is the right option for you. The NIMH's Clinical Trials page provides information about the benefits and dangers of taking part in a clinical study.

5. Problems with Executive Functioning

Someone with inattention ADHD may have trouble managing their time and accomplishing tasks while staying organized and making good decisions. They may forget important things or fail to follow through with commitments. They also make impulsive mistakes that could cause issues at work, home or at school. They may also be unable to think before speaking and often make comments that hurt or embarrass others.

People with inattentive ADHD frequently have difficulty with routine tasks, such as getting up in the morning, getting ready to go to work or recollecting appointments. They may also struggle with impulsive behavior. This includes jumping into activities without having a plan or thought process. This can result in procrastination and an inability to meet deadlines, even important ones.

Adults with inattention ADHD might also struggle to get along with their coworkers and family members. They may have trouble hearing others talk and be perceived as inattention in conversations. It is also possible for them to lose things, like keys, wallets and clothes, frequently.

Talk to your doctor about the signs of inattention ADHD. You can receive assistance for your ADHD with medication, coaching and lifestyle adjustments. Adult ADHD is treated with stimulants. They can boost the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which helps improve attention and cognitive functioning. Non-stimulant medications are recommended in certain instances when stimulants don't work or cause too many adverse effects. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is a form of cognitive therapy, can also be beneficial for people who suffer from inattention ADHD. It can teach them how to prioritize and plan their tasks as well as identify their ideal attention span, and to take breaks to aid in memory.