Read Full Report in Adults
It might be difficult to keep up with your classes or work-related meetings without missing any important details. Do you find yourself often not paying bills or return phone calls?
If you suffer from inattentional ADHD You may benefit from treatment. Adults can also benefit from medication used to treat ADHD, but the dosage and frequency of treatment should be adjusted according to your specific needs.
1. Forgetting Things
Many people who suffer from inattention ADHD struggle with routine tasks such as remembering important dates or paying bills. They may also struggle with organization skills, such as scheduling and keeping appointments, completing homework and managing their home life. Additionally, they could have trouble paying attention to the details or making mistakes at work, school, or activities. They might also lose items or misplace them often such as their mobile phone or wallet.
It's normal for us to forget things from time to time however, if someone with inattentive ADHD is frequently forgetting something this could be an indication of the disorder. They might also have poor listening skills, or seem to be unable to focus when spoken to even though they are trying to concentrate.
Researchers believe that women and girls are more likely to experience inattention ADHD symptoms than men and boys. This is due to biological reasons but also due to gender-specific expectations and socialization. They might also have difficulty understanding their behaviour, which could cause them to misunderstand other people. If a child is easily distractible in class, teachers and coaches may call them lazy or indifferent.
There are online ADHD self-screening tests that can be used to determine if the symptoms are a problem, but an accurate diagnosis of inattentive ADHD is typically done by a healthcare professional who specializes in the disorder. To detect the signs of the disorder, they will conduct a physical exam as well as use mental health assessment tools and look over the family history. Stimulant medications are commonly prescribed to treat the condition that boost levels of the chemical dopamine and norepinephrine within the brain to improve cognition and attention. A non-stimulant medication which takes longer to take effect, may also be offered in the event that stimulants aren't well-tolerated or cause adverse effects.
2. Missing Things
Many people with inattention ADHD struggle to keep track of important tasks. They might misplace their wallet or keys, or forget to pay bills or leave a message. Inattentional ADHD can cause issues in relationships at home at work, or at school.
For example an inattentive child ADHD might not be able to answer questions on a test while she doodles or thinks about it in her notebook. Teachers may misunderstand her behavior and dismiss it as apathy or laziness and she could struggle academically. There could be snide comments from family members and friends members, too. Women may experience the symptoms of inattention ADHD during their professional lives. This can result in missed deadlines or incomplete projects.
While some women suffering from inattentive ADHD have success and are thriving with no treatment, others find that their symptoms interfere with everyday functioning and can result in stress, frustration or anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help those with inattentive ADHD develop the essential skills needed, including prioritizing and scheduling tasks, using to-do lists, creating and following routines and taking breaks. It can also teach people how to recognize their ideal attention span, so that they can plan their schedules accordingly.
A health care provider can assess a person for inattentive ADHD by talking with them and asking about their mental, emotional, and physical history. They can also talk with the person's family, partners, teachers, and other close acquaintances. They may use the standard ADHD symptoms rating scales and tests to test the person's memory, executive functioning, working memory spatial and visual abilities, and reasoning skills. They can then determine a diagnosis and provide effective treatment for the individual. Other illnesses and conditions can cause similar symptoms to those of inattentive ADHD which is why it is essential for health professionals to conduct an exhaustive evaluation.
3. Finding Things Wrong
People with inattentive ADHD are unable to complete work and other tasks. They may be late to deadlines and forget to document important documents or pay their bills. They may also have trouble listening or focusing when speaking to. This could be because their mind is elsewhere, or they are unable to concentrate on the other person.
Everyone makes mistakes, but for adults with inattentive ADHD the consequences could be a lot more serious. For example an untimely deadline or a typo on a document could cause a job loss. It is also more likely to happen as you age due to the increasing demands of a career and family responsibilities.
Adults may be unable to diagnose inattentive ADHD due to the fact that the symptoms may be more evident than when they were teenagers or children. However doctors can detect symptoms and perform medical tests to rule out possible causes. To be diagnosed as having inattentive ADHD one must exhibit at least six symptoms that interfere with everyday functioning.
There are methods to manage adult inattentive ADHD. Treatment options can include therapy, medication or a combination of both. Stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and amphetamines (Adderall) are often prescribed to people suffering from inattention ADHD however, non-stimulant medicines such as atomoxetine (Strattera) have been proven to be effective.
Despite the fact that attention-deficit ADHD is more common for girls and women than boys and men females and girls who have it are still less likely to be diagnosed or receive the treatment they need. This is because women and girls are more likely to be viewed as being lazy or flaky, which can hurt their self-esteem even if they've received a diagnosis of ADHD. At Frida, we're working to change that by removing barriers and making it easier for women to access an online ADHD assessment.
4. Getting Things Done Lately
People with inattention ADHD are often procrastinators due to their difficulties with organization and focus. This can cause many issues such as the inability to pay bills on time, missing appointments, failing to return texts or phone calls and forgetting birthday cards and anniversaries.
Adults can be affected by social discontent and career stumbling blocks. In some instances, it may even affect relationships. People with inattentive ADHD may also make careless mistakes that have big repercussions, such as losing their job due to poor work performance or accidentally sending a snarky email to a co-worker.
It's good to know that adults with inattentive ADHD can receive an assessment. The process involves speaking to an expert in healthcare who is trained in ADHD and examining the patient's medical history by using assessment tools and completing psychological or physical tests. If a healthcare professional confirms that the person suffers from several symptoms of inattentive ADHD that began before the age of 12, and they are observed regularly in two or more settings (like school/work and home), and that they hinder their daily functioning, they are able to diagnose the condition.
People diagnosed with inattention ADHD might find that a combination of behavioral therapy and medication helps manage their symptoms. Stimulants, the most common treatment for the disorder, can increase the levels of brain chemicals norepinephrine and dopamine. Non-stimulants are also beneficial and are often prescribed when stimulants are not working or cause adverse consequences. Antidepressants may be prescribed, particularly if the person has mental health issues that are co-existing, such as anxiety or depression.
The research is ongoing to discover what causes inattentive ADHD. Researchers believe that biological causes, environmental factors (like exposure to chemicals) and early life experiences like trauma and premature birth can all contribute to the development this condition.
5. Getting Things Done Wrong
When a person with inattentive ADHD attempts to complete tasks, she is often guilty of mistakes that aren't made. They may also have difficulty organizing her household or work chores, and could easily be distracted by other events (for younger children, this might include unrelated thoughts or a text message; for older teens and adults, it might be an unrelated text or phone call). She is having trouble keeping track of her belongings, and is often unable to sit in situations where remaining seated is required (for instance, during class or meetings at work).
If you suffer from inattentional ADHD you might find it difficult to maintain steady, consistent relationships with others. You may feel like you're constantly stepping on water. People around you see you keep your head above the water, but they don't realize how much effort you put in to keep up. You might feel more depressed and have a lower tolerance for anxiety and frustration.
You can learn to manage your symptoms by getting an ADHD diagnosis. This will help improve your quality of life. A doctor will observe your behavior and give an assessment if you've got at least six inattentive ADHD symptoms that are severe enough to cause problems with your daily functioning. They will also likely rule out other mental health issues that could cause similar symptoms.
Treatment may involve a mix of therapies and medications. Psychostimulants improve the flow of signals to the central nervous system to aid you in achieving focus, and they may be beneficial in helping to reduce some of your ADHD symptoms. Antidepressants, that affect specific chemicals that manage your mood and focus are also frequently used to treat ADHD. Examples include bupropion or venlafaxine.