{"id":964,"date":"2023-05-31T02:58:13","date_gmt":"2023-05-31T02:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/?p=964"},"modified":"2023-05-31T02:58:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T02:58:15","slug":"understanding-inattentive-adhd-in-adults","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/understanding-inattentive-adhd-in-adults\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Inattentive ADHD in Adults"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD<\/a>, is a neuropsychiatric condition that interferes with an individual’s quality of life by impeding their day-to-day functioning. This disorder is characterized by difficulties in paying attention, controlling impulsivity, and managing excitable behavior. The American Psychiatric Association has identified three different presentations of ADHD, one of which is the predominantly inattentive<\/a> presentation. This type of ADHD is characterized by significant problems with attention, while symptoms<\/a> of hyperactivity are few or non-existent\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults with inattentive ADHD often have trouble paying attention to details, are easily distracted, and frequently have difficulties organizing or finishing tasks. Routine chores such as paying bills on time or returning phone calls can also pose challenges for individuals with this condition\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Causes Inattentive ADHD in Adults?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The causes of ADHD, including the inattentive presentation, are not entirely clear. However, it is known that the condition often runs in families, suggesting a genetic and neurobiological basis. In many cases, adults with predominantly inattentive ADHD first developed the condition during childhood and adolescence. However, because children with this form of ADHD are not usually hyperactive, their condition may have gone unrecognized until they reached adolescence or adulthood. This is especially true for girls and women<\/a> with inattentive ADHD who may not stand out in the classroom due to more quiet and passive behavior compared to their peers without the disorder\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers are also investigating the role of environmental factors that may contribute to the development of ADHD. This includes trauma, environmental toxins, alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy, premature birth, and low birth weight\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD in Adults<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The American Psychiatric Association has outlined nine symptoms associated with inattention in ADHD. Adults with the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD frequently experience these symptoms, which may interfere with their daily functioning at work, in familial relationships<\/a>, or social situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These symptoms include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Often having trouble staying focused on tasks at work, home or play.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Frequently not paying close attention to details or making careless mistakes at work or while doing other tasks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Often having trouble organizing tasks or activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Being easily distracted.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Frequently not following through on instructions or failing to complete work assignments, chores or other activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Often forgetting routine chores.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Avoiding tasks that require long periods of mental focus<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Often losing items needed to complete tasks or activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Not appearing to be listening even when spoken to directly\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Adults may be diagnosed with the predominantly inattentive presentation of ADHD if they experience serious or chronic problems due to five or more of these symptoms, and if no other mental health disorder could be the cause of these symptoms\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Diagnosis of Inattentive ADHD in Adults<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    There is no single medical or genetic test for the predominantly inattentive type of ADHD. Diagnosis requires a comprehensive review of symptoms conducted by a qualified mental health professional. The process involves confirming the presence of symptoms, ensuring that the symptoms aren’t due to another mental health or environmental condition, and determining the presence of co-existing mental health disorders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In order to be diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type, adults must have five or more symptoms of inattention that have been present for at least six months and significantly interfere with or reduce the quality of their social, home, or work life. In addition, several of the symptoms must have been<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you find yourself grappling with the symptoms we’ve discussed, it may be time to seek professional help. The diagnosis of ADHD, predominantly inattentive type, in adults, isn’t made through a single test. Instead, it necessitates a thorough review of symptoms conducted by a qualified mental health professional such as a psychiatrist, neurologist, or clinical psychologist\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The evaluation involves three crucial steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Confirming the presence of symptoms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Ensuring the symptoms aren’t caused by another mental health or environmental condition, such as increased work demand or significantly heightened stress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Determining the presence of co-existing mental health disorders, like depression, anxiety<\/a>, or bipolar disorder.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      An important aspect to note is that the presence of symptoms alone isn’t sufficient for diagnosis. The symptoms must have been present since the age of 12, in more than one setting, and interfere with your daily life. In addition, adults must have at least five or more symptoms of inattention that have persisted for at least six months and impair the quality of social, home, or work life. Several symptoms must also have been present before the age of 12 and in at least two major areas of life, such as work, home, or social life. Lastly, the symptoms must not be due to another mental condition\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Treatment of ADHD, Inattentive Type, in Adults<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Once diagnosed, the journey towards managing ADHD can begin. While there is no cure for the disorder, it can be successfully managed. Typically, a combination of medication<\/a> and behavioral therapy<\/a> tends to yield the best results\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Prescription drugs used to treat ADHD in children are usually effective for most adults with the predominantly inattentive form of ADHD. However, the dosage and frequency of medications may need adjustments during the early<\/a> stages of treatment. It’s vital to match the needs of the person with ADHD with the characteristics of the drug\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Behavioral therapy is another key component of managing ADHD in adults. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT<\/a>), for example, can be highly beneficial. It helps adults with ADHD to change their thought patterns and behaviors, leading to an improvement in symptoms. In addition, therapy can also help adults develop skills to manage the symptoms of ADHD, such as improving time management and organizational skills, and can also provide strategies for handling relationships and social situations\u200b1<\/sup><\/a>\u200b.<\/p>\n\n\n

      Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)<\/h1>\n
      \n

      What is ADHD, inattentive type, in adults?<\/h2>\n
      \n
      ADHD, inattentive type, is a form of attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder characterized by significant problems with inattention. Individuals with this condition often have trouble paying attention to details, are easily distracted, and frequently have difficulty organizing or finishing tasks.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      \n

      What causes ADHD, inattentive type, in adults?<\/h2>\n
      \n
      The causes of ADHD are not entirely clear, but the condition often runs in families, suggesting a genetic and neurobiological basis. It’s often first developed during childhood and adolescence, though it can go unrecognized until adulthood.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      \n

      What are the symptoms of ADHD, inattentive type, in adults?<\/h2>\n
      \n
      Symptoms include trouble staying focused on tasks, not paying close attention to details, difficulty organizing tasks or activities, being easily distracted, failing to follow through on instructions, frequently forgetting routine chores, avoiding tasks that require long periods of mental focus, often losing items needed for tasks, and not appearing to be listening even when spoken to directly.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      \n

      How is ADHD, inattentive type, in adults diagnosed?<\/h2>\n
      \n
      Diagnosis requires a careful review of symptoms by a qualified mental health professional. Symptoms must be present since 12 years of age, must be present in more than one setting, and must interfere with daily life. Five or more symptoms of inattention must have been present for at least six months and must have reduced the quality of social, home or work life.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
      \n

      How is ADHD, inattentive type, in adults treated?<\/h2>\n
      \n
      Treatment often involves a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Prescription drugs used for ADHD in children are usually effective for most adults with this condition. Behavioral therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), can help adults with ADHD change their thought patterns and behaviors, leading to an improvement in symptoms.<\/div>\nquote(“What is attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),”, “routine chores (such as paying bills on time or returning phone calls”) quote(“What causes attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults?”, “role in ADHD”) quote(“What are the symptoms of attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type, in adults?”, “be the cause of these symptoms”) quote(“How is attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type, diagnosed?”, “due to another mental condition”) quote(“How is attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type, in adults treated?”, “characteristics of the drug”)<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Looking for information on Adult ADHD: Inattentive Type? Check out our new FAQ for insights on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment methods. Get the knowledge you need to understand and manage this condition better. #ADHD #MentalHealth #FAQs\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":967,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[21,1],"tags":[60,54],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/pexels-photo-774866-jpeg.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/964"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=964"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/964\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":968,"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/964\/revisions\/968"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/967"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/neurodiverge.net\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}