Inattentive ADHD in Adults: The Underdiagnosed Subtype

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is defined by the World Health Organisation as being characterised by a persistent pattern of inattention and/ or hyperactivity or impulsivity that has a direct impact, negatively, on school life, work life, and social life. Within ADHD there are 3 subtypes; hyperactivity and impulsivity, inattentive, and combined. 

In this article, we are going to look at the underdiagnosed subtype, inattentive ADHD. As this is the less noticeable type of ADHD, many individuals often slip under the radar and struggle along, not understanding why they find certain aspects of life harder than others. 

What is Inattentive ADHD?

The inattentive subtype of ADHD particularly affects your focus, concentration, and organisation. This type of ADHD can make it difficult to stay focused on a work or school task, often getting distracted by external things or thoughts, making it difficult to pay attention to details, finding it hard to manage time or finish tasks on time, and also forgetting routine chores or actions such as returning phone calls, paying bills, etc.

Those with the inattentive subtype often have very few or no symptoms of hyperactivity, which involves the inability to control physical movements, which presents more prominently when it comes to an ADHD diagnosis.

Signs and Symptoms of the Inattentive ADHD Type

Due to the nature of the inattentive subtype, it can be challenging to spot and diagnose, as the symptoms are subtle, unlike the physical movements of hyperactivity. However, some of the behaviours that are difficult to manage for those with inattentive ADHD are:

• Time management (being late for work and meeting deadlines.)

• Staying focused (getting distracted by exterior happenings or interior thoughts/ daydreaming.)

• Actively listening (getting distracted and not keeping track of conversations.)

• Paying attention to details (needing to re-read text, making frequent mistakes.)

• Staying on task (losing focus halfway through long-winded tasks.)

• Performing important tasks (unable to focus on filling in forms or writing long-winded reports.)

• Keeping track of belongings (always losing keys, purse/ wallet, phones etc.) 

How Common is Inattentive ADHD and Who Does it Affect?

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that the inattentive subtype of ADHD accounts for 20% to 30% of cases, with the most common being the combined subtype. In the UK it is thought that 3% to 4% of adults have ADHD, with a male-to-female ratio of 3:1, which means that men are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than women.

Both males and females can be diagnosed with all 3 subtypes of ADHD, however, back when ADHD first became apparent on the medical radar, it was predominantly thought of to be a young boy’s condition. Today, we understand that ADHD in women is more likely to present as shyness or seeming withdrawn, which can be likened to an inattentive ADHD type. Many females with ADHD are misdiagnosed, often described as flaky, or diagnosed as depressed, anxious, or even bipolar. Women are generally more likely to be diagnosed with inattentive ADHD than men. 

Is There a Cause of Inattentive ADHD?

The cause of ADHD, in general, is unclear, however, the inattentive ADHD type may be attributed to the following:

• Genetics (if your immediate family have ADHD, inattentive ADHD can run in your biological family.)

• Lower dopamine levels in the brain causing a constant need to look for it elsewhere by daydreaming/ thinking of other things.

• The anatomical makeup of your brain (how your brain functions.)

• Factors from pregnancy such as if the mother consumed alcohol or used substances, a preterm birth, low birth weight, and environmental factors such as lead or chemical exposure. 

How is Inattentive ADHD Diagnosed?

There is not a single ADHD assessment to diagnose inattentive ADHD; a healthcare provider will instead confirm the presence of the inattentive symptoms, confirm that they are not caused by any other condition, and determine if you have any co-existing mental health conditions. Symptoms of inattentive ADHD tend to begin before 12 years of age, so it will need to be verified that your symptoms persist for at least 6 months, affect you in more than one setting, and interfere with your daily routine. 

How the Inattentive ADHD Subtype Can Affect Adult Life

Keeping on top of everyday life tasks and admin can be incredibly difficult for those with inattentive ADHD. Remembering to complete seemingly simple tasks such as household chores, making appointments for yourself and your family, and paying bills on time can be tough, as well as managing your performance at work. In the workplace, it can be difficult to remember meetings, finish projects on time, or keep your workplace tidy and organised. The inattentive ADHD type can also have a detrimental impact on your social life as it’s difficult to listen and engage in conversation with friends actively or when making new friends, it’s also hard to maintain friendships as acquaintances tend to be out of sight and out of mind.

As an adult, coping with these everyday challenges can lead to serious low mood, impatience, and even anxiety and depression. If you had these traits as you were growing up and were punished because of them, not understanding why your brain works like that and why you can’t control it can seriously impact your well-being, creating a catch-22 situation, whereby your low mood makes it even more difficult for you to keep on top of all the above.

How to Manage Inattentive ADHD as an Adult

There is no cure for any type of ADHD, but speaking to a healthcare provider about your concerns is the first step to managing your condition. An ADHD clinic can help you with medication, behaviour modifications, and therapy depending on which works best for you.

As an adult, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you to create strategies of self-regulation and control around irrational thoughts, which may result in negative behaviour. Also, group therapy and support groups can help you to learn from other’s experiences and also help with a sense of connection. Coaching is another tactic to help with inattentive ADHD and is focused on helping to solve problems in your daily routine, giving practical advice to help you achieve your goals, and giving feedback, recommending and encouraging you to address certain issues.

Medications are also an option, such as psychostimulants that can help to streamline the signals sent to your central nervous system, making you more alert and able to focus, or if these don’t work for you, then non-stimulants can target the neurotransmitters in your brain and regulate behaviours. There is also an option to use antidepressants to change the way your brain uses its neurotransmitters to affect your attention, mood, and behaviour.

The Pomodoro Technique.

Something accessible to everyone to help with the effects of inattention is the Pomodoro Technique. This technique can help with time-blindness and involves breaking work into 25-minute intervals whereby you focus solely on the task at hand, which is then followed by a 5-minute break. The short periods of focused work, knowing that you have a break at the end where your attention can go wherever it wants, has been noted to improve focus and productivity. You can play YouTube videos of Pomodoro working or simply set yourself 25-minute and 5-minute timers, or you can join online communities of Pomodoro working whereby the shared experience can provide accountability.

Beyond Clinics: How a Private ADHD Clinic in Manchester Can Help.                    

At Beyond, we offer expert private online and face-to-face ADHD assessments and treatment, regardless of your ADHD type. Our private ADHD clinic in Manchester is made up of a team who have extensive experience and expertise in assessing and diagnosing all 3 ADHD subtypes.

So, if you want the help of a private ADHD clinic in Manchester, with a comprehensive pathway to ADHD assessment and diagnosis within 4 weeks, you can speak to one of our friendly team today.