Inattentiveness

ADHD Specialists located in Midtown Manhattan, New York, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn and Rego Park, Elmhurst, NY

Inattentiveness services offered in Midtown Manhattan, New York, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn and Rego Park, Elmhurst, NY

Inattentiveness is one of the primary signs of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but children who can’t pay attention don’t always have ADHD. The skilled team at Beyond ADHD gets to the root cause of inattention and provide tailored treatment at their three offices in the New York City neighborhoods of Midtown Manhattan, Brooklyn Heights in Brooklyn, and Elmhurst and Rego Park in Queens. Use the online booking feature or call the office today if you have questions about inattentiveness or want to schedule an appointment.

What causes inattentiveness?

Inattentiveness means you or your child can’t concentrate or stay focused on a specific task, person, or activity.

Attention problems are one of the hallmark challenges of ADHD. However, ADHD isn’t the only condition that can lead to inattentiveness.

In addition to ADHD, any issue affecting your emotional and mental health can lead to distraction and inattention, including:

  • Autism
  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Bipolar disorder
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)
  • Emotional abuse like bullying
  • Daily stress
  • Life changes

One type of inattentiveness, selective inattention, occurs when you forget or ignore anxiety-provoking tasks or responsibilities.

Medical conditions, including absence seizures, anemia, hearing impairments, and thyroid disease, could also cause your inattention.

What symptoms accompany inattentiveness?

Though the primary symptom is trouble staying focused, there are other signs of inattentiveness. The symptoms of inattentive ADHD reflect the same challenges you face no matter what disrupts your focus.

Symptoms of inattentiveness include:

  • Not paying attention to details
  • Making careless mistakes
  • Having trouble organizing tasks
  • Missing deadlines
  • Losing things needed to complete tasks
  • Being easily distracted
  • Forgetting routine tasks or procrastinating
  • Failing to follow through on instructions
  • Not completing assignments, chores, and other activities
  • Avoiding tasks requiring mental focus

People with inattentive ADHD are easily distracted by things others may not notice, such as the buzzing of fluorescent lights in the classroom. Many become focused on thoughts and daydreams, tuning out whatever they should be paying attention to.

How is inattentiveness treated?

Before recommending treatment, your Beyond ADHD provider carefully evaluates your overall health and symptoms and then completes a psychiatric assessment. After diagnosing the cause of your inattentiveness, they can create a treatment plan that meets your unique needs.

Most mental health conditions need treatment that includes therapy and, in some cases, medication. During therapy, people learn to identify why they’re not paying attention, learn skills to improve their focus, and discover techniques for planning and organizing their daily routines.

Stimulant medications improve attention for many people diagnosed with ADHD. Medications like Ritalin® and Adderall® boost your focus by increasing neurotransmitters in brain areas related to motivation, action, and cognition.

Beyond ADHD providers often work with parents, giving them information and tips on ways they can support their children with inattentiveness.

Call Beyond ADHD today or use the online booking feature to schedule an appointment and start the journey toward better attention.