The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can bring up complicated emotions. It can bring feelings of regret over missed opportunities, or feeling of relief from finally having a reason for your difficulties.
Untreated ADHD can have a lasting impact on relationships, financial stability, mental health and much more. It is crucial for healthcare providers to think about the long-term implications of untreated ADHD for adults.
1. Increased Risk of Mental Health Issues
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD may have trouble managing negative emotions, particularly in the face of difficulties and setbacks. For example, a person who is not treated for ADHD may forget important dates or react impulsively in sensitive conversations, which can strain relationships. They may also miss deadlines, or make careless mistakes in professional situations. This can affect the trust and reliability of others. In some instances it can increase feelings of discontent and unworthiness and create a negative self-image.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD might also face financial problems due to their inattention and disorganization as well as impulsive behavior. For adhd in adults untreated , they could spend money in a hurry and do not keep track of their bills or forget to pay their phone bill on time, which could lead to late fees and late payments. They may also have difficulty keeping a steady job due to their frequent job changes and struggles with attention to organization, time, and attention management.
Research has shown that undiagnosed ADHD is associated with higher rates of mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety (Able and al. 2007) and social issues (Bishop-Fitzpatrick and co., 2018) and a greater susceptibility to sexually harmful practices (Bargiela et al. (2016)). Furthermore it has been linked with lower quality of life and an increased risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as obesity and heart disease.
Adults with untreated ADHD could benefit from psychoeducation and therapy. They can also decrease their risk of co-occurring diseases by keeping a close eye on their symptoms, and avoid certain medications that could be associated with them, such as stimulants. They can also be open and honest with their doctor about their symptoms and how they affect their life and allow them to prescribe the medications that are 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. Inattention and impulsivity two ADHD symptoms that can lead to drinking and drug use are very frequent. A person with ADHD has a higher risk of becoming dependent on alcohol and other drugs than someone without ADHD. This is thought to be due to the main ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and low self-regulation, which could cause a higher chance of experimenting with drugs and alcohol use.
The combination of low levels of dopamine and impaired dopamine receptors triggered by untreated ADHD can also increase the risk for addiction to drugs. Stimulants, like Ritalin and Adderall, are often used to treat ADHD due to their ability to increase dopamine levels in the brain, helping people focus and feel more calm. However, the long-term use of stimulants could cause serious side effects like heart attack, stroke or brain damage, and even death.
Untreated ADHD can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. This can lead to addiction. Untreated ADHD can also result in issues with relationships and at work. Untreated ADHD can also lead to financial issues that make it difficult for people to maintain the right health insurance coverage.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can come as a relief for many adults who are able to see that their behavior is not their own responsibility. However, it is crucial for those suffering from ADHD to seek treatment. In the beginning, you should talk to a doctor to get a proper medication assessment and receive the best medications to meet your needs. Disclosure of any health conditions or medications is crucial since some ADHD medications can interact with certain substances.
3. Increased Risk of Anxiety and Depression
Untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on a person's quality of living. This includes difficulties at home, work and in social interactions bad relationships, feelings of low self-esteem and pessimistic outlook, as well as depression and anxiety.
Adults suffering from ADHD may struggle to manage relationships or maintain friendships because of difficulty paying attention in conversations, forgetting important dates, and being impulsive or disorganized. Adults with untreated ADHD may also have difficulty managing long-term projects and navigate the workplace hierarchy due to their inability to meet deadlines. This can lead to joblessness, decreased occupational status and higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted systematic reviews of the outcomes that are associated with the underdiagnosis or undertreatment of ADHD. Their findings indicated that untreated ADHD affects academic performance negatively, psychiatric co-morbidities, substance use, employment, antisocial behavior driving, and health (e.g. smoking, obesity and sleep problems).
Some adults can benefit from other treatments, in addition to receiving an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These include behavioral interventions like behavioral therapy, and lifestyle modifications like improved diet and exercise. The use of medication is also an effective option for some individuals with ADHD. The medications that are prescribed include stimulants, like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). Trials of medication begin with a low dose to see how the individual responds prior to adjusting the dosage.
It is important to get a correct diagnosis and start treatment early to control ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can also be a reflection of other conditions, such as depression and anxiety, so it's important to get an in-depth evaluation from an expert in health care or mental health professional to determine what is the cause of these symptoms.
4. Increased Risk of Physical Health Issues
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD might find it difficult to keep up with their regular healthcare routines. They may miss appointments, have difficulty getting prescriptions filled, or have trouble following diet, sleep and exercise schedules. This can cause health problems such as hypertension and heart disease. They may also be having difficulty managing financial issues. This can result in buying impulse-driven items or making late payments on bills. This can also exacerbate chronic health conditions resulting from mental disorders like depression and anxiety.
Untreated ADHD can cause people to be unable to maintain social networks and relationships. Their symptoms, such as neglecting to meet household obligations, ignoring their partner or getting easily distracted during conversations, could lead to relationship problems. They might also struggle to remember important events, such as birthdays and anniversary celebrations. This can cause tension and anxiety in their relationships.
Many adults can improve their lives by making lifestyle changes and managing symptoms. They can use lists and reminders to manage their forgetfulness, establish regular routines for their day to decrease fluctuations, and engage in physical activities to help overcome their restlessness. They can also work closely with their physician to determine the right medication dosage that will help them improve their symptoms while minimizing any side effects.
If you're struggling with the symptoms of untreated ADHD it is essential to seek assistance. Patients who put off treatment may end up blaming themselves for their challenges, internalizing them as flaws in character and creating an unending cycle that adversely affects their physical and mental health. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis and beginning treatment as soon as you can will help prevent these complications from occurring.
5. Increased Suicide Risk
It is not uncommon for those with untreated ADHD who are diagnosed to resort to self-destructive coping mechanisms. This may include using drugs or alcohol, which can lead to mental health issues later on and contribute to a downward spiral of symptoms.
People who suffer from ADHD may also have difficulty maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity, and they may have difficulty managing their emotions. They might not be able to attend important events or lose focus when they are talking. This can make their loved ones feel dissatisfied and unimportant. They may also agree to an unwise decision and then regret it. This can strain friendships. In the workplace, adults who suffer from untreated ADHD often miss deadlines and lose credibility due to of their disorganization and inability to fulfill commitments.
The challenges of living with ADHD may lead to depression and anxiety. They can be a trigger for suicide attempts. A study has found that those who suffer from untreated ADHD are at a greater risk risk of suicidal behavior regardless of 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.
It should be noted however that the majority of participants were females and only a handful of people had been diagnosed with ADHDH. Future research should aim to utilize larger sample sizes to ensure the accuracy of the results. In addition, the studies were built on questionnaires, which means that results should be confirmed using diagnostic interviews.