Inattentive ADHD: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment (original) (raw)

What are the symptoms of inattentive ADHD?

The symptoms of inattentive ADHD include having trouble or difficulty with the following behaviors:

• Paying attention to the details and/or making frequent mistakes while doing tasks.
• Staying focused on long-winded tasks (like reading, listening to a presentation, etc.).
• Listening to others.
• Following through on tasks or obligations. You can easily lose focus in the middle of a task.
• Managing time and meeting deadlines.
• Performing tasks that need significant brain power, like filling out forms or writing reports.
• Keeping track of common items needed to complete everyday tasks (pencil, wallet, keys, phone, etc.).
• Staying in the moment without distractions.
• Remembering to complete routine tasks (chores, errands, appointments, etc.).

Although everyone experiences problems paying attention and focusing at times, if you have inattentive ADHD, you’ll experience these symptoms so often that they interfere with your daily functioning at school, at work, with friends and family or in social situations.

What causes inattentive ADHD?

The cause of inattentive ADHD is unclear. Research suggests the following may contribute to ADHD:

• Genetics.
• Anatomical makeup of your brain (how certain areas of your brain form and function).

In addition, the following factors that happen during pregnancy may relate to a child developing ADHD:

• Substance or alcohol use.
• Environmental factors (like lead or chemical exposure).
• Preterm birth.
• Low birth weight.

Is inattentive ADHD hereditary?

Studies show that inattentive ADHD can run in your biological family, so you’re more at risk of developing it if someone related to you has it.

What are the complications of inattentive ADHD?

Inattentive ADHD makes it difficult for you to complete tasks and stay organized. It can also make you feel impatient or moody. These things can affect your relationships, as well as your performance in school, at work or during activities. You might:

• Miss strict deadlines.
• Be late for school, work or appointments.
• Lose or misplace important documents or items.
• Work or live in a “messy” or disorganized space.
• Find it difficult to socialize and maintain friendships.

Being easily distracted can affect your physical safety if you work or participate in high-risk activities where following instructions are a high priority.

While growing up, you may have been reprimanded for your behaviors. Teachers might have told you that you’re “lazy” for not turning in assignments or “careless” for not paying attention to lectures.

These are far from the truth, as your brain functions differently from those around you. You still listen and retain information, you just do it in a way that works for you.

It can be hard for others who don’t experience ADHD to relate to how you feel. As a result, inattentive ADHD can impact your emotional well-being and mental health.