What Inattentive ADHD Looks Like In the (Not So) Wild
Inattentive ADHD can be mistaken for anxiety or depression in adults. In children, it may resemble a learning disorder. Here, we take an in-depth look at inattentive vs. hyperactive symptoms, so you get the right diagnosis.
by the ADDitude Editors
The Inattentive ADHD Problem
Children with hyperactive ADHD symptoms are difficult to
ignore. The ones bouncing out of their chairs or clowning behind the teacher’s
back are the first to be evaluated for and diagnosed with ADHD.
Meanwhile, the
students with inattentive ADHD (predominantly girls) are quietly staring out
the window at a bird while their work lays unfinished. According to the
National Institute of Mental Health, their symptoms are far less likely to be
recognized by parents, teachers, and medical professionals, and they rarely get
the treatment they need. This leads to academic frustration, apathy, and undue
shame that can last a lifetime. This is a big problem.
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