Inattentive ADHD in Adults
Do you struggle to get through work or class without ignoring important details? You may find that you forget to pay your bills or return calls.
You could benefit from treatment if you suffer from inattentive ADHD. Adults also can benefit from medications used to treat ADHD however dosage and frequency must be adjusted to meet the individual needs.
1. Forgetting Things
Many people with inattention ADHD have difficulty with daily tasks like remembering important dates or paying bills. They may also have difficulty with organizational skills, including scheduling and keeping appointments, completing homework and managing their personal life. In addition, they might have trouble paying attention to details or committing mistakes with carelessness when working, schoolwork or in their hobbies. They could also lose items or lose them often such as their mobile phone or wallet.
It's normal to forget things occasionally however if a person with inattentive ADHD does so frequently it could be a sign that they suffer from the disorder. They may also have poor listening skills or appear to lose focus when they are spoken to, even though they're trying to focus.
Women and girls tend to experience inattentive ADHD symptoms at a higher rate than men and boys, which researchers believe is due to biological factors as well as socialization and gendered social expectations. They might also struggle to comprehend their behaviour, which could lead them to misunderstand others. If children are easily distracted in class, educators and coaches may call them lazy or indifferent.
Online ADHD self-screening tools can be used to determine if the symptoms are troubling however a healthcare specialist with expertise in the disorder is usually the one who makes the accurate diagnosis. They will conduct physical examination, mental assessment tools and examine the patient's family history to identify symptoms of the disorder. Stimulant medications are commonly prescribed to treat the condition that boost levels of the chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine inside the brain to improve attention and cognition. If stimulants are not well tolerated, or cause side effects, a non-stimulant medicine might be prescribed.
2. Missing Things
Many people suffering from inattention ADHD struggle to remember or keep track of important tasks. They may lose their wallet or keys or forget to pay bills or leave an email. Inattentional ADHD can cause issues in relationships at home, at work or at school.
A child with inattentive ADHD, for example, may miss questions in an exam because she is playing with her notebook. Teachers might misunderstand her behavior and dismiss it as laziness or apathy, and she might struggle academically. She could also be subject to snide remarks by her family and friends. Women may be suffering from the symptoms of inattention ADHD in their careers. This could result in missed deadlines or incomplete projects.
While certain women with inattentive ADHD find success and thrive without treatment, others discover that their symptoms affect daily functioning and cause frustration, stress, or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help people with inattentive ADHD develop essential skills such as prioritizing and scheduling tasks, using lists of to-dos, creating and following routines, and taking breaks. It can also teach people how to identify their optimal attention span, so they can plan activities accordingly.
A healthcare professional may determine if a person has ADHD through a conversation with them, asking about their emotional and mental health background. They might also discuss the person's relationship with their family, teacher, or partner, and other close friends. They may use standard ADHD test and symptom scales to assess the person's memory and working memory, executive function, visual and spatial abilities and reasoning skills. They will then be able to make an assessment and provide the best treatment for the person. Other conditions and illnesses may cause similar symptoms to those of inattentive ADHD, so it is essential for health care professionals to do an extensive examination.
3. Making Things Wrong
People who aren't attentive ADHD are unable to complete work and other tasks. They may miss deadlines and forget to file important documents or pay bills. They may also have difficulty listening or focusing when spoken to. This could be because their attention is elsewhere or they are unable to focus on the other person.
Everybody makes mistakes, however for those with inattention ADHD the consequences can be a lot more serious. A missed deadline or a mistake in a report could result in losing your job. Adulthood is also a time when mistakes are more likely to occur due to the demands of a job and family.
Getting a diagnosis of inattention ADHD isn't easy for many adults because the symptoms are more subtle than they were as children or teenagers. However doctors can detect symptoms and do medical tests to rule out possible causes. In order to be diagnosed, an individual must exhibit at least six signs of inattentive ADHD that seriously hinder daily functioning.
There are several ways to deal with adult inattentive ADHD. Treatment options include therapy, medication or a combination of both. Stimulant drugs such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall) are often prescribed for individuals with inattentive ADHD however, non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera) have been proven to be effective.
Women and girls with attention-deficit ADHD are less likely to be diagnosed or receive the treatment they require, despite the fact that it's more prevalent. This is due to the fact that girls and women are more likely to be dismissed as being inept or sloppy, which can hurt their self-esteem, even after they've received a diagnosis of ADHD. Frida is trying to change this perception by removing the obstacles and making it easier to take an online ADHD test for women.
4. Getting Things Done Lately
People who have inattention ADHD are often procrastinators because of their issues with organization and focus. This can lead to numerous issues that include paying bills late, missing appointments, not returning messages or phone calls and not remembering birthday cards and birthdays.
For adults, this can result in career reversals and social angst. In some instances, it may even affect relationships. People with inattention ADHD may also make careless mistakes that could have a huge impact, such as losing their job due to poor performance at work or sending a snarky email to a co-worker.
The good news is that those who suffer from inattention ADHD can receive a diagnosis as an adult. The process involves a conversation with an expert in healthcare who is trained in ADHD as well as reviewing the person's history, using assessment instruments as well as psychological and physical tests. If a healthcare professional can confirm that the person suffers from several signs of inattention ADHD that began before age 12 and that they are present regularly in two or more environments (like school/work and home), and that they interfere with their daily activities, they can diagnose the condition.
People who are diagnosed with inattention ADHD may find that a combination of behavior therapy and medication can help them manage their symptoms. Stimulants are among the most commonly prescribed medications for this disorder, and they can help boost levels of the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Non-stimulants are also effective and may be prescribed if stimulants are not well tolerated or cause side effects. Antidepressants can be prescribed, especially if the person has other mental health conditions that are concomitant, such as anxiety or depression.
Research is ongoing to determine what causes inattentive ADHD. Researchers believe that biological triggers and environmental factors (like exposure to chemicals) and early life experiences such as trauma and birth prematurely can all contribute to the development of this disorder.
5. Getting Things Done Wrong
If someone with inattention ADHD tries to complete tasks, she often makes careless mistakes. She may also have difficulty organizing her chores or work and can be easily distracted by non-related things. (For younger children, this could mean unrelated thoughts, whereas for adults and older teens it could be a mobile phone or text message). She has difficulty keeping the track of her belongings and is often unable to sit in situations where sitting is required (for example, during class or meetings at work).
It can be difficult to maintain stable and consistent relationships with others when you have inattentive ADHD. It could feel as if you're constantly stepping on the water. People around you see you keep your head above the water, but don't realize how much effort you put into keep up. ADHD symptoms female adults might feel more depressed than usual and you may be prone to a decrease in tolerance for stress and anger.
You can learn to manage your symptoms by getting an ADHD diagnosis. This will enhance your quality of life. If you show at least six symptoms of inattentive ADHD that are severe enough to interfere with your daily activities, a doctor will diagnose you with the condition. The doctor will likely rule out any other mental health issues that could cause similar symptoms.
Treatment could involve a combination of therapy and medication. Psychostimulants improve the flow of signals to the central nervous system, which helps you focus, and they may be beneficial in alleviating some of your ADHD symptoms. ADHD is often treated with antidepressants that affect chemicals in the brain which regulate attention and mood. Examples include bupropion and venlafaxine.
