Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is classified into three types: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive/impulsive and combined. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, a person with predominantly the inattentive type of ADHD will lack attention to detail, have problems maintaining his focus and attention, have poor listening skills, be unable to organize effectively, easily become distracted and often be very forgetful.
Talk Therapy
According to HelpGuide.org, this form of therapy helps a person work through the issues of underachievement, failure, academic difficulties, job turnover and relationship conflict that he has experienced as a result of his ADHD inattentive type. This type of therapy also allows the person to discuss any other feelings that he has repressed or with which he has avoided dealing. Talk therapy is strictly what the name implies. It is the classic type of therapy whereby the client meets with his therapist to share feelings and life events while the therapist listens and asks questions.
Couples and Family Therapy
Often, a person with the inattentive type of ADHD can be extremely forgetful. He may not follow through with things he agreed to do, and people in a relationship with him may feel as though they are picking up his slack and he is taking them for granted. This is where family therapy or couples therapy can be beneficial. The MayoClinic.com reports that these types of therapies address the strains that ADHD can place on a family and a relationship; the therapist works to address problems such as conflicts over finances, forgotten commitments, responsibilities in the home and impulsive decisions. This type of therapy provides those close to the person with inattentive ADHD with the support they need, and the therapist helps develop ways to reduce these problems in the future. Also, a therapist provides those close to the person with an education on the disorder and how it manifests, notes HelpGuide.org.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy will generally focus on the negative thought patterns a person with inattentive ADHD has developed over the years. Due to the constant struggles with which a person with ADHD is met, she may have very low self-esteem and a pessimistic outlook on life. This is when cognitive-behavioral therapy helps her identify and change her negative beliefs about herself and the world, reports HelpGuide.org. Also, cognitive-behavioral therapy can help her conquer issues of disorganization, problems at work and poor time management skills, notes HelpGude.org.
Coaching
A life coach or behavioral coach can treat a person with inattentive ADHD. These professionals can help the person develop practical solutions to deal with the patterns of inattentive ADHD such as time management, organization, communication and scheduling. A coach can develop a specific plan for the person with inattentive ADHD. The coach can also help a person with ADHD develop the skills and techniques to overcome the problems associated with inattentive ADHD, reports HelpGuide.org. These coaches can be very beneficial, but it is important to keep in mind that normally their services are not covered by regular health insurance plans.
