The mental illness known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) typically first manifests in infancy and can persist into adulthood. Inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive behavior are the two main behavioral traits associated with ADHD. However, the mixed form is the third of three categories of this illness identified by the American Psychiatric Association.

Let’s study more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options of the mostly inattentive form of attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity (formerly known as ADD).

ADHD types

There are nine symptoms in each of the two categories of ADHD symptoms included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. A healthcare professional diagnoses one of the following forms of the condition based on the quantity of symptoms from each category:

• primarily unfocused.  When a person exhibits minimal or no hyperactive symptoms, they show greater indicators of inattention.
• primarily impulsive and hyperactive.  A person exhibits little or no symptoms of inattention and more hyperactivity.
• Combined show.  Both hyperactivity and inattention are present in the individual.

Let’s explore the symptoms, causes, and treatment options of the primarily inattentive type in this post.

Signs and symptoms

Adults with ADHD who are inattentive find it difficult to focus for prolonged periods of time and have additional difficulties, whereas hyperactive people are restless and hyper-focused. The DSM lists nine main symptoms of the inattentive subtype of ADHD:

1. Ignoring details and committing thoughtless errors at work.
2. Having trouble maintaining focus throughout activities.
3. Having trouble hearing when someone speaks directly to you.
4. Not completing tasks at work and carrying out directions.
5. Issues with task organization.
6. Disliking or avoiding mentally taxing activities.
7. Frequently losing or misplacing things like wallets and cell phones.
8. Ignoring daily responsibilities, such as paying bills and doing housework.
9. Being readily sidetracked by the goings-on around you.

How Can Adults With Inattentive ADHD Impact Their Everyday Lives?

A person with ADHD who is mostly inattentive may experience a variety of difficulties, such as:

• Losing employment due to thoughtless errors.
• Putting things off.
• Abuse of drugs and alcohol.
• Relationship instability.
• Issues with money management.
• Losing friends and having a poor social life.

Forgetting your keys occasionally is common and does not indicate attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A person must have a consistent pattern of inattention that has a direct impact on their social, academic, and professional functioning in order to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADD), according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Additionally, the symptoms of inattention must be more severe than the typical behavioral variances of the individual’s age group.

How Do They Diagnose Inattentive ADHD?

Since attention deficit hyperactivity disorder typically first manifests in childhood, a medical professional must make sure that certain symptoms appear before the age of twelve. If not, the symptoms can point to a different mental illness. Accurate diagnosis is crucial because comorbid sadness and anxiety↗ are especially common in people with ADHD.

To diagnose ADHD of the inattentive kind, medical professionals must consider other DSM criteria in addition to evaluating the aforementioned inattentive symptoms. These consist of:

• Adults who are 18 years of age or older exhibit at least six symptoms.
• At least six months have passed since the onset of these symptoms.
• Before the age of twelve, a number of ADD symptoms were apparent.
• All other mental health conditions that might produce comparable symptoms↗ are ruled out.
• The severity of the symptoms interferes with the person’s social life and career.
• The symptoms have shown in a variety of contexts, including social interactions, the workplace, and homes.

Providers can also employ a variety of tests to detect inattentive ADHD in adult patients. Possible techniques of assessment include clinical interviews, ADHD self-assessment assessments, and patient and close associate observations. Standardized tools like the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale↗ and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS↗) are frequently used to collect data on symptoms and daily functioning.

Reasons for Adult Inattentive ADHD

ADD has a variety of causes and risk factors. Numerous researches, including those by Grimm, Kranz, Reif, Taylor, Thapar, Tistarelli, et al., have found that 70–80% of the heritability of ADHD can be attributed to genetic factors, with estimates ranging from 64 to 90%.

According to scientists, additional causes of ADHD include:

• Brain damage.
• Mutations in the genes.
• Tobacco and alcohol use throughout pregnancy.
• An early birth.
• Pregnancy or early life exposure to environmental pollutants like lead.
• Being born underweight.

Furthermore, researchers claim there is little data to support the idea that a person’s home environment and parenting style can cause ADHD. However, these elements may exacerbate symptoms.

Treatment for ADD

The majority of therapies for the three ADHD subtypes are comparable. First, in order to customize a treatment plan to each patient’s needs, a proper diagnosis is required. In addition to interviewing the patient, the medical professional might speak with their spouse or other family members. To ascertain whether inherited ADHD is a possibility, it’s also critical to review the medical history of the family.

To exclude out illnesses with identical symptoms, more tests are required. Medical intervention is required if there is sufficient evidence that a person has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Behavioral therapy and medication are the most popular treatment options for inattentive-type ADHD. Although talk therapy has more long-term effects, medications assist in managing symptoms more rapidly but only temporarily. Regular meetings with a therapist are part of behavior therapy, which aims to develop positive behavior patterns and lessen bad ones.

Some of the following ADHD drugs may be prescribed as part of pharmacological treatment:

• Invigorators. They assist in alleviating symptoms by stimulating the neurological system rather quickly. Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, and Metadate are a few examples.
• Non-stimulants. Although they act more slowly than stimulants, they have longer-lasting effects. When a patient doesn’t react to stimulants or experiences negative side effects, doctors use them. Tenex, Intuniv, and Strattera are a few examples.
• Medications for depression. These are substitute drugs that aid in the alleviation of certain ADHD symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved them to treat ADHD, doctors use them off-label; however, some patients may still benefit from them. Effexor and Wellbutrin are two examples.

Self-Help Techniques

Your treatment can be enhanced by incorporating a few easy behaviors to control inattentive behavior in addition to the medicine and therapy:

• Create a structured regimen. Make a daily schedule with assigned tasks and hours for particular activities for stability and organization.
• To help you recall things, use visual cues. To enhance work organization and deadline tracking, make use of calendars, to-do lists, and visual aids.
• Break the task up into manageable chunks. Divide larger tasks into smaller, easier-to-complete tasks to make them more manageable and easier to concentrate on.
• Reduce the number of distractions. By recognizing the distractions around you, turning off pointless alerts, and locating a peaceful workspace, you can lessen their impact.
• Set attainable objectives. Prioritize your tasks and make realistic goals to avoid feeling overworked. Enjoy the small triumphs you experience along the path.
• Employ mindfulness and relaxation practices. To improve your focus and reduce anxiety, try mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, or meditation.
• Utilize tools and technologies. To help you stay focused and productive, use time-management tools like alarm clocks, reminders, and specialized programs.
• Frequent pauses. Take short breaks while working to prevent mental fatigue. Incorporate regular exercise to enhance overall cognitive function.

To sum up

Adult ADHD is not usually straightforward to diagnose. Its symptoms can be confused with those of other mental illnesses, such as mood disorders, anxiety, autism, learning disabilities, or bipolar disorder, despite specific diagnostic criteria. However, with the correct diagnosis, the suitable treatment can be found.

Adult ADD can seriously interfere with daily life if treatment is not received. Therefore, for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, see a mental health specialist. Adults with inattentive ADHD may face difficulties in many areas of their lives, but they can manage the disorder with the use of effective therapy or medication.

Frequently Asked Questions