Can Adults Have Inattentive ADHD?

Download a questionnaire that identifies possible inattentive ADHD in adults.

Download the questionnaire in Spanish.

What is Inattentive ADHD?

It is defined as a persistent pattern of inattention that interferes with functioning or development.

Inattention means a person wanders off task, lacks persistence, has difficulty sustaining focus, and is disorganized; these problems are not due to defiance or lack of comprehension.

ADHD begins in childhood and is considered a developmental disorder, but a person may not receive a diagnosis until adolescence or adulthood.

To receive a diagnosis of Inattentive ADHD as an adult:

• Several symptoms must have been present before the age of 12.

• A person must have at least five symptoms of inattention 

• The symptoms must be present in two or more settings, such as at home and at work.

• There must be evidence that the symptoms interfere with the person's functioning in these settings.

Several other mental health conditions commonly occur with ADHD, including conduct disorder, learning disorders, anxiety disorders, and depression.

What Are the Symptoms of
Inattentive ADHD?

• Fails to give close attention to details or makes careless mistakes at work or during other activities

• Has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks, such as during lectures or lengthy reading

• Does not seem to listen when spoken to directly

• Does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish chores or duties in the workplace

• Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities—for example, is messy and has poor time management

• Avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in tasks that require sustained mental effort

• Loses things necessary for tasks or activities, such as keys, wallets, and mobile phone

• Is easily distracted by unrelated thoughts or stimuli

Problems with concentration and staying organized can be common for many busy adults; however, an adult who is impaired both at work and at home, or in social situations, is more likely to have ADHD.

Many Adults With Inattentive ADHD
Don’t Know It 

They may feel that it is impossible to get organized, stick to a job, or remember to keep appointments. Daily tasks such as getting up in the morning, preparing to leave the house for work, arriving at work on time, and being productive on the job can be especially challenging for adults with undiagnosed Inattentive ADHD. 

They may have a history of academic problems, problems at work, or difficult or failed relationships. Many have had multiple traffic accidents. 

Untreated Inattentive ADHD in an adult can lead to significant problems with education, social and family situations and relationships, employment, self-esteem, and emotional health. It is never too late to recognize, diagnose, and treat ADHD and any other mental health condition that can commonly occur with it. Effective treatment can improve the lives of many adults and their families.

How is ADHD in Adults Diagnosed?

Adults who suspect they have ADHD should see a licensed mental health professional or doctor who has experience diagnosing ADHD for an evaluation.

There is no one test but a thorough evaluation includes looking at the person’s history of childhood behavior and school experiences. 

It may also include a physical exam and various psychological tests that evaluate working memory, executive functioning (abilities like planning and decision-making), and visual and spatial skills or reasoning. The evaluation will also look at the person’s mood and whether he or she struggles with other issues, such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse. 

ADHD in Adults Looks Different. Most Diagnostic Criteria Ignores This Fact.

by Russell Barkley, Ph.D. 

ADHD in adults looks and acts different than ADHD in children, but clinicians’ diagnostic criteria — from age cutoffs to symptom phrasing — is undifferentiated, which sacrifices the accuracy of assessments. Understanding the weak points in standard diagnostic criteria — and how to factor for them in evaluation and treatment — requires a nuanced understanding of how ADHD manifests in adults.

Full article “ADHD in Adults Looks Different”

The Unique Gifts of Inattentive ADHD

by Faster Than Normal

 Counsellor, psychotherapist and national award winning entrepreneur are only a few of Shawn’s many accomplishments, but what he does isn’t nearly as exciting as the why. Diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD Inattentive at age 30, Shawn struggled through every level of the public education system. Prior to his diagnosis it took Shawn 4 years to finish 3 years of high school, 32 attempts to earn the 18 credits required to graduate, including failing grade 10 math 4 times. Shawn has embraced his unique gifts that come by way of having Inattentive ADHD and specializes in helping other uniquely gifted individuals explore their passions.

Podcast “ADHD Dissing the Fog”

How I Knew I Had Inattentive ADHD

I Could Have Been Myself
for So Much Longer

by ADDitude Magazine

Shame caused me to write off my symptoms for many years. The realities of being a Black woman also held back my diagnosis, as did grappling with strongly ingrained attitudes about medication and mental health. While I can still be tough on myself, my diagnosis has ultimately led me down a path of liberation and self-acceptance.

Full article “My ADHD Was Misdiagnosed for Years”

Could You Have Inattentive ADHD
and Not Know It?  10 Signs

This is What Undiagnosed ADHD Feels Like

by ADDitude Magazine

ADHD in women is commonly misdiagnosed or ignored. This can lead to a lifetime of low self-esteem and shame. What does that feel like? Have a look and see if you can relate.

Living with an unrecognized condition can lead to years of self-doubt and challenges until a diagnosis shines a light on why everything has been so hard for so long 

Full article “This is What Undiagnosed ADHD Feels Like”

Misbranded and Misconceived, Living with ADHD is Different Than the Public Perceives

by Q Russell

One of the biggest misconceptions is that ADHD is a mental illness, instead of a developmental disorder. The brain of someone with ADHD is biologically different than someone without. An ADHD brain produces less norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter directly linked to dopamine, which helps control the reward and pleasure center of the brain.

A little-known aspect of ADHD that affects the lives of many is executive dysfunction, which I struggle with the most. Executive functioning is the cognitive and mental ability to enact goal-oriented action. 

Full article “Misbranded and misconceived”

If Only I’d Known This 20 Years Ago

by ADDitude Magazine

Regret and resentment are common among adults diagnosed with ADHD after a lifetime of learning challenges, self-esteem struggles, and harsh criticism. Working through complex emotions is Step One.

The condition is still widely underdiagnosed in the general population. Experts estimate that about 80 percent of adults with ADHD — roughly 5 million — haven’t been officially diagnosed and are going untreated.

“Doctors used to be taught that ADHD affects only children,” explains Lenard Adler, M.D., director of the adult ADHD program at New York University. “But now we know that, although hyperactivity may wane, ADHD symptoms such as inattention and impulsivity continue into adulthood.”

Full article “If Only I’d Known This 20 Years Ago”

What’s It Like to Be a Woman With Inattentive ADHD

by Kathleen Nadeau Ph.D. 

First of all, it’s likely that you were not diagnosed when you were a girl, because girls are diagnosed only when a parent or teacher suspects ADHD and refers them for assessment. And girls can be quite chameleon-like, especially at school—working hard to go under the radar, to please the teacher and to do what is expected of them.

This means that many undiagnosed, inattentive-type girls live their lives in a state of stress. These girls begin to lose confidence and with no better explanation, many of them decide that they are “dumb.” And for those girls with ADHD who are very bright, their grades are good and no one knows the struggles they experience. 

Full article “What’s It Like to Be a Woman with the Inattentive ADHD”

[Self-Test] ADHD Symptoms in Women

by Sari Solden, MS, LMFT

Symptoms of ADHD and ADD often manifest differently in men and women, many of whom grew up being called lazy or dumb while inattentive attention deficit was ignored or mislabeled as hormones or anxiety. Take this self-test to see if you exhibit the symptoms of ADD most common in women and girls. Then share the results with your doctor to seek a diagnosis.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not gender biased. ADHD symptoms exist almost as often in girls as they do in boys, and the majority of kids with ADHD never outgrow it. What’s more, scientific research strongly suggests that ADHD is hereditary. Which means that, if you are the mother of a child with attention and impulsivity problems, you may have ADHD, too.

This comes as a surprise to many women who assume that ADHD is a diagnosis for hyper little boys. Indeed, it is not. ADHD in adults is very real; and ADHD diagnoses among women are on the rise.

[Self-Test] ADHD Symptoms in Women

Inattentive ADHD and Me

by Tim Beshara

I went to see my doctor for a mood disorder, and left with a referral to see a specialist about ADHD. Was that really the cause of my years of forgetfulness?  

Full article “Inattentive ADHD and Me”

I Received a Late ADHD Diagnosis
When I Was 24 Years Old

by Nerris Nassiri

I received an Inattentive ADHD diagnosis when I was 24 years old. While I always had many sneaking suspicions throughout my lifetime that I might have it, a lot of the ways ADHD was portrayed, both in pop culture and in the greater cultural context, gave me the wrong perception about the condition.

Full article “9 ADHD Myths I Believed – Before I was Diagnosed”

Why Even Parents Miss the Signs of Inattentive ADHD in Their
Quiet Daydreamers

by Tess Messer

For adults living with Inattentive ADHD, succeeding in a world of noise and distraction can seem like an impossible dream. How one woman came to recognize, treat, and gather support for her symptoms.

People with inattentive ADHD — adults and children alike — are often ignored and forgotten. Unlike the Wall Street occupiers, though, none of us will stage any kind of revolution. We inattentive types understand that our hyperactive brothers have swallowed up the attention of parents, teachers, and psychiatrists — and most of the ADHD research dollars out there — but we do not have it in us to occupy anything other than the world of our inner thoughts.

Full article “Why Even Parents Miss the Signs of Inattentive ADHD”

What Inattentive ADHD Is Like for Me

Video Channel Produced by a Male Diagnosed with Inattentive ADHD

Video Channel ADHD Mastery

Assess your ADHD symptoms

Is it or isn't it ADHD? OR is it your (and your friend's/coworker's/significant other's) imagination?

Now’s the time to find out. Complete this quick checklist and you’ll have a better idea. Then talk with your healthcare provider.  Download the pdf after completing the questionnaire as it gives good advice for next steps. 

Full article “Assess your ADHD symptoms”

ADHD in Adults

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not just a childhood problem. Learn what the signs and symptoms of adult ADHD look like—and what you can do about it.

Life can be a balancing act for any adult, but if you find yourself constantly late, disorganized, forgetful, and overwhelmed by your responsibilities, you may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), previously known as ADD. ADHD affects many adults, and its wide variety of frustrating symptoms can hinder everything from your relationships to your career…..

ADHD often goes unrecognized throughout childhood. This was especially common in the past, when very few people were aware of it. Instead of recognizing your symptoms and identifying the real issue, your family, teachers, or others may have labeled you as a dreamer, goof-off, slacker, troublemaker, or just a bad student. Alternately, you may have been able to compensate for the symptoms of ADHD when you were young, only to run into problems as your responsibilities increased as an adult. The more balls you’re now trying to keep in the air—pursuing a career, raising a family, running a household—the greater the demand on your abilities to organize, focus, and remain calm. 

Full article “ADHD in Adults”

Online Diagnosis

Online diagnosis for $149 by psychologists will be accepted by physicians in the United States.  We recommend you evaluate this service for yourself. If you use it, please send us your feedback.

 Online diagnosis at “ADHD Online”

Exploring Inattentive ADHD

by Clay Arnell