Inattentive ADHD in Adults

You may find it difficult to keep up with your classes or work-related meetings without missing any important information. You might discover that you do not pay your bills or return calls.

If you suffer from inattentive ADHD, you could benefit from treatment. The medications used to treat ADHD in children are also effective for adults with dosage and frequency adjustments to fit individual requirements.

1. Forgetting Things

Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD have trouble with routine tasks, such as paying bills or remembering important dates. They may also struggle with organizational skills, like making and keeping appointments, completing homework and managing their personal life. They might also have trouble paying attention to the small details or make a mistake when it comes to schoolwork, activities or work. ADHD symptoms in adults quiz could also lose or misplace things like their wallets or mobile phones.

It's normal to forget things occasionally however if a person with inattention ADHD is frequently forgetting things it could be a sign that they have the disorder. They may also have poor listening skills, or appear to zone out when spoken to, even if they are trying to focus.

Researchers believe that women and girls are more likely to suffer from inattentive ADHD symptoms than males and females. This is due to biological factors but also to gender-specific expectations and socialization. They also may have a harder time understanding their behaviour, which could cause them to misunderstand other people. For example when children are frequently distracted in class They could be seen as apathetic or lazy by teachers and coaches who don't understand the disorder.

There are online ADHD self-screening tests that can be used to determine if symptoms are indicative of a problem however, a precise diagnosis of inattention ADHD is usually made by a medical specialist who is specialized in the disorder. They will use physical examination, mental health assessment tools, and review the person's family history to identify signs of the condition. The use of stimulants is often recommended to treat the disorder. They increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine which are brain-related chemicals that improve cognition and attention. If stimulants aren't well tolerated, or cause side adverse effects, a non-stimulant medication may be prescribed.

2. Missing Things

Many people with inattention ADHD struggle with remembering or keeping the track of their important tasks. They might lose their wallet or keys, or forget to pay the bill or leave a note. Inattention ADHD can also cause problems in relationships with family members at work, or at school.

A child with inattentive ADHD, for example it is possible to miss questions on a quiz because she is daydreaming or doodling in her notebook. Teachers may be misinterpreting her behavior and dismiss it as laziness or apathy and she may struggle academically. There could be snide comments from her friends and family members, too. Women can experience symptoms of inattention ADHD during their professional lives. This could result in missed deadlines or incomplete projects.

While certain women with inattentive ADHD find success and thrive without treatment, others find that their symptoms affect daily functioning and result in stress, frustration, or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can assist people with inattention ADHD develop the essential skills needed that include prioritizing and arranging tasks, using lists of to-dos making routines and following them and taking breaks. It can also help people learn to recognize their optimal attention span so they can plan accordingly.

A healthcare professional may assess a person's inattentive ADHD through a conversation with them, asking questions about their mental and emotional background. They may also request to speak to the person's family, partners, teachers, and other close friends. They can use the standard ADHD symptom scales and tests to determine the person's memory and working memory, executive function spatial and visual abilities and reasoning skills. They can then diagnose the person and provide an effective treatment. Other conditions and illnesses can cause similar symptoms as inattentive ADHD, so it is crucial for health care professionals to conduct a thorough examination.

3. Making Things Wrong

People with inattention ADHD often have difficulty following through on assignments and other work. They may be late to deadlines and forget to document important documents or pay their bills. Symptoms may also include trouble listening and not being able to focus when they're spoken to, either because their minds are elsewhere or they have difficulty to concentrate on what someone else is saying.

Everybody makes mistakes, but for those with inattention ADHD the consequences can be more severe. A missed deadline or error in a report can result in losing your job. It is also more likely to happen as you age due to the increased demands of career and family obligations.


Adults may have trouble diagnosing inattentive ADHD because the symptoms can be more subtle than when they were teens or children. However doctors can spot symptoms and do medical tests to rule out other possible causes. To be diagnosed, an individual must exhibit at least six indicators of inattentive ADHD that seriously hinder everyday functioning.

There are several ways to deal with adult inattention ADHD. Treatment options include therapy, medication or a combination of the two. Stimulant drugs like methylphenidate or amphetamines are commonly prescribed to treat inattentive ADHD. However non-stimulant medications like atomoxetine have also proved to be effective.

Despite the fact that inattention ADHD is more common among women and girls than boys and men girls and women who suffer from it are less likely to receive a diagnosis or get the treatment they require. Women and girls are more likely than boys to be dismissed for being lazy or flaky. This can negatively impact their self-esteem even after they have been diagnosed with ADHD. At Frida, we're working to change that by removing obstacles and making it easier for women to access an online ADHD assessment.

4. Getting Things Done Lately

As a result of their struggles with focus and organization People who suffer from inattentive ADHD often struggle with procrastination. This can cause a host of problems, including paying bills late, ignoring appointments, failing to return phone calls or texts and forgetting birthday cards and anniversaries.

For adults, this could cause career problems and social discontent. In some instances it may even affect relationships. Inattentive ADHD can lead to careless mistakes with serious consequences, for instance, losing their job due to a poor performance or sending an embarrassing email.

The good news is that those with inattentive ADHD can be diagnosed as an adult. The process involves talking with an expert healthcare professional who is skilled in ADHD and examining the patient's medical background and using assessment tools and completing psychological or physical tests. If a healthcare professional confirms that the patient has a variety of signs of inattention ADHD that started before age 12, that they occur regularly in two or more settings (like school/work and home), and that they interfere with their daily functioning, they are able to determine the cause of the disorder.

People who are diagnosed with inattentive ADHD might experience that a combination of behavior therapy and medication helps them manage their symptoms. The stimulants are the most frequently used drugs for the disorder, and they aid in increasing levels of brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Non-stimulants are also effective and may be prescribed if stimulants aren't well-tolerated or trigger adverse reactions. Antidepressants can also be prescribed, especially if a person has other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Inattentive ADHD is still being studied. Environmental factors, biological factors (like exposure to chemicals) and early life experiences (like premature birth and trauma) are thought to be responsible for the development of this condition.

5. Getting Things Done Wrong

If someone with inattention ADHD tries to complete tasks, she can make errors that are not intentional. She may also have difficulties organizing her work or household chores, and could easily be distracted by extraneous events (for younger children, this might include unrelated thoughts while for older adolescents and adults, it could be the phone call or text message). She is having trouble keeping her things in order, and often leaves her seat when sitting is required (for instance, during class or work meetings).

If you have inattentive ADHD you might find it difficult to maintain steady, stable relationships with other people. It can feel like you're constantly treading water - people around you can see that you're above water but don't appreciate the amount of effort it takes to keep up. You might feel more depressed than usual and you could develop a low tolerance for frustration and stress.

You can learn to manage your symptoms by obtaining an ADHD diagnosis. This will enhance your quality of life. A doctor will look at your behavior and make a diagnosis if you have at least six inattentive ADHD symptoms that are severe enough to cause problems with daily functioning. They may also rule out other mental issues that might cause similar symptoms.

Treatment may involve a combination therapy and medication. Psychostimulants may help to reduce ADHD symptoms by rerouting signals to the central nervous system. ADHD is also commonly treated with antidepressants that affect the brain's chemicals that control mood and attention. Examples include bupropion and venlafaxine.