The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults
If you are diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, it may cause a variety of emotions. It can bring feelings of regret for missed opportunities, or feeling of relief from finally having a reason for your struggles.
Untreated ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on relationships, financial stability, mental health and more. It is essential for professionals to take into consideration the long-term consequences of untreated ADHD for adults.
1. Mental Health Issues and Risk Increased
Adults with ADHD who are not treated may have difficulty managing negative emotions, especially when confronted with obstacles and setbacks. Untreated ADHD can cause someone to forget important dates or respond quickly in sensitive conversations. This can cause tension in relationships. They may also fail to meet deadlines or make careless mistakes in professional settings, which could affect trust and reliability. This can result in feelings of anger or inadequacy and a negative self-image.
Additionally, people who suffer from untreated ADHD might face financial issues due to their lack of focus, disorganization and impulsive behaviors. They might, for example spend money on impulse or not keep track of their bills. Or, they might not pay their phone bill on time. This could lead to the bill being late or not paying. They may also find it difficult to keep a steady job due to their frequent job changes and difficulties with time management, organization and attention.
Studies show that undiagnosed ADHD is associated with higher rates of mental health issues like depression and anxiety (Able et al., 2007) and social issues (Bishop-Fitzpatrick and co., 2018) and a higher risk to sexually harmful practices (Bargiela et al. in 2016). It is also associated with a lower quality of life and a higher risk of chronic conditions such as weight gain and heart disease.
Luckily, adults with untreated ADHD can seek help by pursuing treatment options such as psychoeducation and therapy. adhd treatment for adults medication can also learn to reduce the risk of co-occurring diseases by keeping an eye on their symptoms and making sure they don't use certain medications, such as stimulants, that may affect them. They should also be forthcoming and honest with their health care provider about their symptoms and how they affect their daily life, which will allow providers to prescribe the medications that are most effective for them.
2. Increased Risk of Substance Use Disorders
A comorbid diagnosis of ADHD and substance use disorder (SUD) is all too common for those living with untreated ADHD. ADHD symptoms such as inattention and an impulsive nature can lead to abuse and alcohol dependency. The person who has ADHD is at a higher risk of becoming dependent on alcohol and other drugs than those who do not have ADHD. This is believed to be due to the primary ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and low self-regulation that can cause a higher chance of experimenting with drugs and alcohol consumption.
Untreated ADHD can increase the risk of addiction to drugs because of the combination of low levels of dopamine and impaired dopamine-receptors. Stimulants, like Ritalin and Adderall, are commonly used to treat ADHD because they increase dopamine levels in the brain, helping individuals focus and be more calm. But, long-term use of stimulants can cause serious negative side effects, like stroke, brain damage, heart attack and even death.
Untreated ADHD can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. This can lead to substance abuse. In addition, many people who suffer from untreated ADHD struggle with relationship and work issues. Untreated ADHD can cause financial difficulties, which can make it difficult for those who suffer from the condition to maintain sufficient health insurance coverage.
Many adults can feel at ease when they receive a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. They now know that their behavior wasn't their fault. Adults with ADHD should seek treatment. In the beginning, you should talk to a doctor to get an accurate medication assessment and receive the best medications for your needs. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other health issues or medications you are taking, as some ADHD medications may interact with certain substances.
3. Increased Risk of Anxiety and Depression
Untreated ADHD can have long-lasting effects that impact a person's quality of life. This includes difficulties at home, work and in social interactions and relationships, low self-esteem, a negative outlook, and anxiety and depression.
Adults with ADHD might have difficulty managing relationships or maintain friendships because of difficulty paying attention in conversations, forgetting important dates and being impulsive or disorganized. Additionally, people with untreated ADHD often have difficulty navigating workplace hierarchies and managing long-term projects due to difficulties keeping deadlines. This can lead to unemployment, lower occupational status and higher levels of stress and anxiety.
Ginsberg and his coworkers (64) conducted an extensive study of the effects of ADHD underdiagnosis. Their findings revealed that untreated ADHD negatively impacts academic achievement, psychiatric co-morbidities, substance use and employment, antisocial behavior driving, health, and other factors (e.g. obesity, smoking and sleep problems).
In addition to receiving the correct diagnosis of ADHD, some adults are able to benefit from other treatment strategies. These include behavioral treatments like behavioral therapy and lifestyle modifications like improved diet and exercise. Certain individuals suffering from ADHD might also benefit from medication. Stimulants like dextroamphetamine or the methylphenidate drug, also called Ritalin (Ritalin) are able to be prescribed. To begin with the trial of medication begins at a low dose in order to determine how a person responds.
Making sure you have a proper diagnosis and starting treatment as soon as possible is crucial to better manage ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can also be a reflection of other conditions, such as depression and anxiety, which is why it is essential to have an in-depth evaluation from a health care provider or mental health professional to determine what is the reason for these symptoms.
4. Higher Risk of Physical Health Issues
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD might have difficulty to maintain their regular healthcare routines. They may skip appointments or refills on prescriptions and may be unable to adhere to the diet, exercise and sleep schedules, which could exacerbate existing health problems like hypertension or heart disease. They might also have trouble dealing with financial issues, resulting in impulsive spending or a late payment of bills. This can also exacerbate chronic health conditions resulting from mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety.
Untreated ADHD can make it difficult for people to maintain relationships and social networks. Problems with relationships can be caused by their symptoms, which include neglecting household chores, not paying attention to partners, or being easily distracted during conversations. They might also struggle to remember important occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. This can lead to stress and tension in their relationships, which can ultimately lead to the breakup.
Many adults can enhance their quality of life by implementing lifestyle changes and managing symptoms. They can make use of lists and reminders to manage their forgetfulness, create regular routines for their day to decrease variability, and engage in physical activities to help overcome their restlessness. They can also consult with a doctor to develop an appropriate medication dosage that can help ease their symptoms without producing any negative side negative side effects.
It is crucial to seek help if you are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD. If they delay seeking treatment, they could end up blaming themselves for their challenges, internalizing them as flaws in character and creating a vicious cycle that adversely affects their physical and mental health. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis and starting treatment as soon as is possible will prevent these problems from occurring.
5. Increased Risk of Suicide
A diagnosis of ADHD can be mistakenly interpreted as a flaw in character and it's not common for those with untreated ADHD to resort to self-destructive or harmful ways of coping. This could include drinking or using drugs, which can cause mental health problems and contribute to a downward cycle of symptoms.
People who suffer from ADHD can also have trouble maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity, and might struggle with managing emotions. They may be late for important dates or fall off the ball in conversations, leaving loved ones feeling undervalued and frustrated. They might also make a decision something carelessly and later regret it. This can cause a strain on friendships. Adults who are not treated for ADHD are often disorganized and lose credibility at work because they don't adhere to their commitments.
However, the difficulties faced by people living with ADHD can create a recipe for anxiety and depression that can cause suicide attempts. A study showed that people who suffer from untreated ADHD are at a greater risk 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 must be noted that the participants in the study were predominantly female, and only a small percentage of them had been diagnosed with ADHD-H. Therefore, future research should aim for larger sample sizes to ensure the accuracy of results. The studies were also conducted using questionnaires. Therefore, the results should be verified using diagnostic interviews.