Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsComparing ADHD TypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Comparing ADHD Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Coping
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An estimated 5% of people around the world live with ADHD, which starts in childhood but often persists into adulthood.
There are three types of ADHD, which are distinguished based on the characteristics or behaviors the person has:
Up to 30% of people with ADHD have inattentive type ADHD.A 2014 study notes that ADHD inattentive type is more subtle than the other types of ADHD, so it can be harder to detect.For instance, students with this type of ADHD may be less disruptive in the classroom than children who also have characteristics of hyperactivity and impulsivity.
This article explores the characteristics, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of inattentive type ADHD.
What to Know About Inattentive ADHD in Women
Characteristics of ADHD Inattentive Type
Children or adults with ADHD inattentive type primarily display traits of inattention, which include:
Children and teenagers below the age of 17 need to have at least six of these traits in order to be diagnosed with ADHD inattentive type. Those above the age of 17 need to have had at least five of these traits.
In addition to characteristics of inattention, people with ADHD inattentive type may also have a few characteristics of hyperactivity and impulsivity, which include:
Why Is My Child So Hyper? ADHD vs. High Energy
Causes of ADHD Inattentive Type
The exactcausesof these differences in the brain are unknown; however, these are some factors that may contribute to the development of this condition:
Does ADHD Go Away?
Diagnosing ADHD Inattentive Type
Thediagnostic processmay involve:
The healthcare provider will determine whether the person’s symptoms meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD inattentive type laid out in the American Psychiatric Association’sDiagnostic and Statistical Manual:
It’s important to note that a person’s characteristics or symptoms of ADHD may change over time, as they get older. Therefore, the type of ADHD they have can also change.So, even though they may currently have ADHD inattentive type, that could change in future.
Treating ADHD Inattentive Type
Once again, having ADHD does not mean anything is wrong with you, or that you have something to be cured. However,treatmentcan help people with ADHD inattentive type manage some of the more challenging characteristics and reduce their difficulties, particularly those related to work or school, where focus is required. Treatment options include medication and therapy.
Medication
There are several FDA-approvedmedicationsthat can treat people ages six and above.These are some of the types of medications that may be prescribed to treat ADHD inattentive type:
How Long Does it Take Adderall and Other ADHD Medication to Work?
Therapy
Therapy can help people with ADHD inattentive type improve their focus and manage their condition better. These are some forms of therapy that may be helpful:
Top ADHD Resources for Adults
Coping With ADHD Inattentive Type
These are some steps that can help people with ADHD inattentive typecope with the condition:
What Are the Benefits of Having ADHD?
Keep in Mind
ADHD inattentive type is a condition that can make it difficult for a person to focus and concentrate, affecting their performance at work or school. Recognizing the more difficult-to-live-withsymptomsof this condition and seeking treatment for it can help improve their ability to function on a day-to-day basis.
I Think I Have ADHD: What to Do and Where to Go
13 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).Polanczyk GV, Willcutt EG, Salum GA, Kieling C, Rohde LA.ADHD prevalence estimates across three decades: an updated systematic review and meta-regression analysis.Int J Epidemiol. 2014;43(2):434-442. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt261National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.Johns Hopkins Medicine.ADHD in children.National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Cleveland Clinic.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type in adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?Daneshparvar M, Mostafavi SA, Zare Jeddi M, et al.The role of lead exposure on attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in children: a systematic review.Iran J Psychiatry. 2016;11(1):1-14.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD.
13 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).Polanczyk GV, Willcutt EG, Salum GA, Kieling C, Rohde LA.ADHD prevalence estimates across three decades: an updated systematic review and meta-regression analysis.Int J Epidemiol. 2014;43(2):434-442. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt261National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.Johns Hopkins Medicine.ADHD in children.National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Cleveland Clinic.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type in adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?Daneshparvar M, Mostafavi SA, Zare Jeddi M, et al.The role of lead exposure on attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in children: a systematic review.Iran J Psychiatry. 2016;11(1):1-14.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD.
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).Polanczyk GV, Willcutt EG, Salum GA, Kieling C, Rohde LA.ADHD prevalence estimates across three decades: an updated systematic review and meta-regression analysis.Int J Epidemiol. 2014;43(2):434-442. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt261National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.Johns Hopkins Medicine.ADHD in children.National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596Cleveland Clinic.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type in adults.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?Daneshparvar M, Mostafavi SA, Zare Jeddi M, et al.The role of lead exposure on attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in children: a systematic review.Iran J Psychiatry. 2016;11(1):1-14.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD.
Nemours Foundation.ADHD (for parents).
Polanczyk GV, Willcutt EG, Salum GA, Kieling C, Rohde LA.ADHD prevalence estimates across three decades: an updated systematic review and meta-regression analysis.Int J Epidemiol. 2014;43(2):434-442. doi:10.1093/ije/dyt261
National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD in children and teens.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.ADHD in children.
National Health Service.ADHD symptoms.
Quinn PO, Madhoo M.A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in women and girls: uncovering this hidden diagnosis.Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2014;16(3):PCC.13r01596. doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01596
Cleveland Clinic.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), inattentive type in adults.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD.
American Psychiatric Association.What is ADHD?
Daneshparvar M, Mostafavi SA, Zare Jeddi M, et al.The role of lead exposure on attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder in children: a systematic review.Iran J Psychiatry. 2016;11(1):1-14.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is ADHD?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Treatment of ADHD.
National Institute of Mental Health.ADHD.
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