The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults
When you are diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, it can trigger a range of emotions. It can cause feelings of sadness for missed opportunities or satisfaction that you finally have a clear explanation for your challenges.
Untreated ADHD can have a lasting impact on relationships, financial stability, mental health and more. It is crucial that healthcare providers consider the long-term consequences 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 who is not treated for ADHD might forget significant dates or react impulsively in sensitive conversations, which can affect relationships. They may also miss deadlines, or make careless mistakes in professional settings. This can cause a decline in trust and dependability. This can lead to feelings of frustration or inadequacy and a negative self-image.
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD can also have financial difficulties due to their lack of attention or disorganization, as well as their unpredictable behavior. For instance, they might spend money on impulse or do not keep track of their bills or fail to pay their phone bill on time, which could result in late fees or late payments. They might also have trouble finding a stable job due to the frequent changes in their jobs and struggles with attention to detail, organization, and time management.
Undiagnosed ADHD has been linked with higher rates of mental health issues, including depression and social problems (Bishop Fitzpatrick et. al. 2018), and a greater susceptibility to sexual assault (Bargiela and al. 2016). It has also been linked to a lower quality of life and a higher risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and weight gain.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD could benefit from psychoeducation and therapy. They can also learn to reduce the risk of having co-occurring diseases by keeping a close watch on their symptoms and making sure they don't take certain medications, like stimulants, which could interfere with them. They should also be open and honest with their healthcare provider about their symptoms and how they impact their lives, which will allow providers to prescribe medication that is most effective for them.
2. Increased Risk of Substance Use Disorders
A comorbid diagnosis of ADHD and substance use disorder (SUD) is very common among people who suffer from untreated ADHD. ADHD symptoms such as inattention and an impulsive nature can lead to abuse and alcohol dependency. Studies have found that a person who suffers from ADHD is more likely to be addicted to drugs and alcohol than people who do not have ADHD. This is believed to be due to the primary ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, impulsivity, and low self-regulation. adhd in adults untreated may result in an increased risk of drug and alcohol use.
The combination of low dopamine levels and impaired dopamine receptors that are caused by untreated ADHD can also increase the risk for addiction to drugs. Stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are often used to treat ADHD because they increase dopamine levels in the brain, allowing people to focus and stay calm. However, long-term usage of stimulants could cause serious negative side effects, like stroke or brain damage, heart attack, and even death.
People who do not have treatment for ADHD are more likely to suffer from depression and are at a greater chance of having suicidal thoughts which can contribute to the use of drugs. Untreated ADHD can also result in issues with relationships and at work. Untreated ADHD can also cause financial difficulties, which can make it more difficult for people who suffer from the condition to maintain sufficient health insurance coverage.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can be a relief to many adults who are able to see that their behavior is not their own fault. However, it is crucial for adults with ADHD to seek treatment. The first step is to speak with a doctor who can provide you with a thorough assessment of your medication and recommend the appropriate medications for your individual needs. Be sure to disclose any other health issues or medications you are taking in order to ensure that ADHD medications can interact with certain substances.
3. Depression and anxiety are more likely to happen.
Untreated ADHD can have lasting consequences that affect a person's quality of life. This includes issues at home, at work and in social interactions. There are also feelings of low self-esteem, a pessimistic outlook and depression.
Adults with ADHD may have trouble maintaining relationships or establishing friendships due to the fact that they are indecisive, forget important dates, or aren't paying attention. Adults with untreated ADHD might also have trouble managing long-term projects as well as navigating the hierarchy of work due to their inability to meet deadlines. This can result in unemployment, lower occupational status and higher levels of anxiety and stress.
Ginsberg and his colleagues (64) conducted an extensive study of the effects of ADHD underdiagnosis. Their findings indicated that untreated ADHD negatively impacts academic achievement as well as psychiatric and co-morbidities, substance use as well as antisocial behavior, employment driving, and health (e.g. smoking, obesity and poor sleep).
Certain adults may benefit from other treatments in addition to receiving an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These include behavioral treatments like behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications like improved diet and exercise. Some individuals with ADHD might also benefit from medication. Medications that may be prescribed include stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Trials of medication begin with a low dose in order to see how the individual responds, before increasing the dosage.
Achieving a clear diagnosis and establishing treatment early is essential to better managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD can be similar to symptoms of depression or anxiety. It is essential to consult a mental health professional or a health care professional evaluate your symptoms to determine the root cause.
4. Increased Risk for Physical Health Problems
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD might have difficulty to maintain their regular healthcare routines. They may miss appointments and prescription refills and may struggle with adherence to eating, exercise, and sleep schedules. This can exacerbate existing health issues such as hypertension or heart disease. They may also have difficulty managing financial issues. This could lead to impulsive purchases or late payments on bills. This can lead to the development of chronic health issues that stem from mental illnesses that are underlying such as depression and anxiety.
Untreated ADHD can cause people to be unable to maintain social networks and relationships. Their symptoms, such as not being able to complete household chores or ignoring their partner becoming easily distracted during conversations, could lead to relationship problems. They might also struggle to remember important dates, such as birthdays and anniversary celebrations. This can lead to stress and tension in their romantic relationships, which may eventually result in breaking up.
For many adults, managing symptoms and lifestyle changes can make a significant difference in the quality of their lives. They can use lists and reminders to control their forgetfulness, create routines for their daily lives to reduce the amount of variability, and engage in physical activities to help them overcome restlessness. They can also collaborate with a physician to determine the right dosage of medication that can help ease their symptoms without producing any negative side effects.
It is essential to seek assistance if you are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD. Delaying treatment can lead to people blaming their problems on themselves, internalizing them, and creating a vicious cycle that negatively impacts their physical and mental health. Early diagnosis and treatment can aid in preventing these issues.
5. Increased Suicide Risk
It is not uncommon to find people suffering from untreated ADHD who are diagnosed to engage in self-destructive strategies to cope. This can include using alcohol or drugs, which can lead to other mental health issues over time and cause a downward spiral of symptoms.
People with ADHD might also have issues maintaining relationships because of their impulsivity. They might struggle with managing emotions. They might miss important dates, or lose focus during conversations. This could make their loved ones feel unhappy and unappreciated. They may also carelessly accept something only to later regret it, which can strain friendships. In the workplace, people with untreated ADHD often fail to meet deadlines and lose credibility due to of their disorganization and inability to follow through on commitments.
The difficulties of living with ADHD can lead to anxiety and depression. They may be a trigger for suicide attempts. One study found that people with untreated ADHD are at an increased likelihood of suicide regardless of any the comorbidities. 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 should be noted that the participants in the study were primarily female, and only a tiny number of people were diagnosed with ADHD-H. Therefore, future research should focus on larger samples to ensure reliable results. Additionally, the studies were built on questionnaires, which means that results should be validated using diagnostic interviews.