The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults
If you are diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, it may bring about a variety of emotions. It can cause feelings of regret over missed opportunities or relief at finally having a reason for your difficulties.
Untreated ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on relationships and financial stability, mental health and much more. It is crucial that healthcare providers be aware of the long-term implications of untreated ADHD among adults.
1. Greater Risk of Mental Health Problems
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD might have difficulty coping with negative emotions, especially when faced with challenges and setbacks. For example, a person with untreated ADHD might forget significant dates or react impulsively in sensitive conversations, which could cause tension in relationships. They may also fail to meet deadlines or make a mistake in professional settings, which may affect trust and dependability. In certain situations it can increase feelings of discontent and unworthiness and create a negative self-image.
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD can also have financial difficulties due to their inattention or disorganization, as well as their impulsive behavior. For instance, they might spend money on impulse and fail to keep track of bills, or forget to pay their phone bill on time, which can result in late fees or overdue payments. They may also face difficulties keeping a steady job due to their frequent job changes and struggles with attention to detail, organization, and time management.
Undiagnosed ADHD has been linked to higher rates of mental health issues, including depression and social problems (Bishop Fitzpatrick et. al. 2018) and a higher vulnerability to unsafe sexual behaviors (Bargiela and al. 2016). Furthermore, it has been linked to a lower quality of life as well as an increased likelihood of developing chronic health issues like heart disease and obesity.
Luckily, adults with untreated ADHD can seek help from treatment options that include psychoeducation and therapy. They can also learn to reduce the risk of having co-occurring diseases by keeping a close eye on their symptoms and making sure they don't take certain medications, like stimulants, which could interact with them. They can also be open and honest with their health care provider about their symptoms and how they impact their daily life, which will allow providers to prescribe medication that is most effective for them.
2. Increased Risk of Substance Use Disorders
Untreated ADHD patients are more likely to receive a comorbidity diagnosis that includes addiction disorders. ADHD symptoms such as inattention and an impulsive nature can lead to dependence and alcohol abuse. The person who has ADHD is at a higher risk of becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs than someone who does not have ADHD. This is believed to be due the main ADHD symptoms, impulsivity and low self-regulation. This can result in an increased risk of and alcohol abuse.
Untreated ADHD can increase the risk of drug addiction because of the combination of low levels of dopamine as well as impaired dopamine-receptors. Stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall are commonly used to treat ADHD. They boost dopamine levels in the brain, and aid in helping people focus and remain calm. However, the long-term use of stimulants could cause serious side effects like heart attack, stroke, brain damage and even death.
Untreated ADHD can lead to depression and suicidal ideas. This can lead to addiction. Untreated ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships and work. Untreated ADHD can also result in financial issues that make it difficult for people to keep the right health insurance coverage.
Many adults can feel relieved when they receive a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. They are now aware that their behavior was not their fault. Adults suffering from ADHD should seek treatment. In the beginning, you should talk to a doctor to get a proper medication assessment and to receive the most effective medication for your needs. Be sure to mention any other health conditions or medications you are taking for, as certain ADHD medications can interact with certain drugs.
3. Anxiety and depression are more likely to happen.
Untreated ADHD can have lasting consequences that affect a person's quality of life. These include difficulty at home, at work and in social interactions and relationships, low self-esteem and pessimistic outlook, and depression and anxiety.
Adults who suffer from ADHD might have difficulty managing relationships or maintain friendships due to difficulties in paying attention to conversations, forgetting important dates and being impulsive or unorganized. Additionally, people with untreated ADHD often have difficulty working through workplace hierarchy and managing long-term projects due to difficulty meeting deadlines. In some cases this may cause unemployment, lower job satisfaction, and increased levels of job stress and anxiety.
Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted an extensive review of outcomes that are associated with the underdiagnosis or undertreatment of ADHD. Their findings revealed that untreated ADHD can have negative effects on academic performance, psychiatric comorbidities, substance abuse as well as on employment, antisocial behavior, driving, and physical health (e.g. obesity, smoking and poor sleep).
In addition to receiving the correct diagnosis of ADHD Certain adults also benefit from other treatment strategies. This could include behavioural treatments such as behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes like a better diet and exercise. Some individuals with ADHD may also benefit from medication. Stimulants such as dextroamphetamine and the methylphenidate drug, also called Ritalin (Ritalin) can be prescribed. In the beginning, the medication trial starts at a low dose in order to see how an individual responds.
Getting a correct diagnosis and establishing treatment early is crucial to better manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be similar to those of other illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, so it is essential to have an accurate assessment by a health care provider or mental health professional to determine what is the cause of these symptoms.
4. Increased Risk of Physical Health Problems
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their regular healthcare routines. They might miss appointments and prescription refills, and they might have difficulty following the diet, exercise and sleep schedules. This can exacerbate existing health issues like hypertension or heart disease. They may also be having difficulty managing financial issues. This can result in impulsive purchases or late payments on bills. This can lead to the development of chronic health conditions that result from mental disorders that are underlying, including anxiety and depression.
Additionally, signs of untreated adhd in adults with untreated ADHD often have a difficult time to maintain relationships and social support networks. Relationship problems are often caused by their symptoms, including forgetting household chores, ignoring partners, or being easily distracted when talking to others. They might also have difficulty remembering important occasions like birthdays or anniversary celebrations. This can cause tension and stress in their romantic relationships.
For many adults, symptom management and lifestyle changes can make a significant improvements in the quality of their lives. They can make use of lists to manage their forgetfulness. They can create regular daily routines to decrease the amount of variability. They can also engage in physical activity to help them overcome their anxiety. They are also able to work closely with their doctor to determine the proper medication dosage that will aid in improving their symptoms while minimizing any negative side consequences.
If you're struggling to manage the symptoms of untreated ADHD is crucial to seek help. In the absence of treatment, it could lead to people blaming their problems on themselves, internalizing the issues and triggering a cycle that negatively impacts their mental and physical well-being. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis and beginning treatment as early as possible will prevent these issues from arising.
5. Suicide Risk Increased
A diagnosis of ADHD could be taken as a sign of a character flaw, and it is not common for those with untreated ADHD to resort to self-destructive or harmful coping strategies. This can include using alcohol or other drugs that can cause mental health issues and lead to a downward spiral of symptoms.
In addition, those with ADHD may have difficulty maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity and difficulties managing emotions. They might not be able to attend important events or drop off in conversations, leaving loved ones feeling inadequate and dissatisfied. They might also agree to an unwise decision and then regret it. This can affect friendships. In the workplace, adults who suffer from untreated ADHD often fail to meet deadlines and lose credibility because due to their inability to follow through on commitments.
The challenges that come with living with ADHD can be a recipe for depression and anxiety that can result in suicide attempts. A study has found that those who suffer from untreated ADHD are at a higher chance of committing suicide regardless of co-morbidities. It also found that adult ADHD-related impulsivity and hyperactivity predicted temper outbursts/hitting/throwing and that adult ADHD-related inattention predicted threats/actual self-harm.
However, it is to be noted that the participants in the study were mostly female, and only a small number of individuals had a diagnosis of ADHD-H. Therefore, future research should focus on larger sample sizes to ensure accurate results. In addition, the studies were conducted using questionnaires, and therefore results should be confirmed using diagnostic interviews.