The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult may create complicated emotions. It could bring feelings of grief over missed opportunities or satisfaction that you now have a clear explanation for your struggles.
Untreated ADHD can have a long-term impact on relationships mental health, financial stability and many other aspects. It is important for providers to take into consideration the long-term consequences of untreated ADHD for adults.
1. Mental Health Issues Increased Risk
Adults with ADHD who are not treated may struggle to manage negative emotions, particularly when confronted with difficulties and setbacks. For example, a person who is not treated for ADHD may forget important dates or respond impulsively during sensitive conversations, which can affect relationships. They may also fail to meet deadlines or make a mistake in professional settings, which may affect trust and dependability. This can cause feelings of anger or inadequacy and a negative self-image.
In addition, adults with untreated ADHD might face financial issues due to their lack of focus, disorganization and impulsive behaviors. For instance, they may spend money on impulse or forget to pay their expenses. Or they may neglect to pay the phone bill on time. This can lead to late charges and overdue payment. They may also find it difficult to hold a steady job due to frequent job changes and difficulties with organization, time management, and attention.
Studies show that undiagnosed ADHD is associated with higher levels of mental health problems like anxiety and depression (Able and al., 2007) and social issues (Bishop-Fitzpatrick et al. 2018) and a higher risk to sexually harmful practices (Bargiela et al. in 2016). Moreover adhd treatment for adults medication has been linked with lower quality of life as well as an increased risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease and obesity.
Adults with untreated ADHD could benefit from psychoeducation and therapy. adhd in adults untreated can also learn to reduce the risk of co-occurring conditions by keeping a close watch on their symptoms and making sure they don't use certain medications, like stimulants, that could affect them. They can also be open and honest with their health care 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 for Substance Use Disorders
A comorbid diagnosis of ADHD and substance use disorder (SUD) is all too common for those who suffer from untreated ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity two ADHD symptoms that can lead to addiction to alcohol and drugs are very common. A person with ADHD has a higher chance of becoming addicted to alcohol and drugs than someone who does not have ADHD. This is thought to be due to the core ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and insufficient self-regulation that can lead to a higher chance of experimenting with drugs and alcohol consumption.
The combination of low dopamine levels and impaired dopamine receptors caused by untreated ADHD can increase the risk of drug addiction. The stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are commonly used to treat ADHD because they raise dopamine levels in the brain, allowing people to focus and stay calm. But, long-term use of stimulants could cause serious side effects, such as stroke or brain damage, heart attack and even death.
People with untreated ADHD may be more likely to suffer from depression and have a higher likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts which may contribute to the development of addiction to drugs. Untreated ADHD can also cause issues with relationships and at work. Untreated ADHD can cause financial difficulties, which can make it more difficult for people who suffer from the condition to keep sufficient health insurance coverage.
Many adults can feel relieved when they receive the diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. They now know that their behavior wasn't their fault. It is nevertheless essential for people suffering from ADHD to seek treatment. First, you should consult a doctor to get a proper medication assessment and get the right medication for your specific needs. The disclosure of any health issues or medications is important, as certain ADHD medications can interact with certain substances.
3. Increased Risk of Anxiety and Depression
Untreated ADHD can have lasting consequences that impact a person's quality of life. This includes difficulties at home, at work and social interactions and relationships, low self-esteem and pessimistic outlook, anxiety and depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have trouble managing relationships or maintain friendships because of difficulty in focusing on conversations, ignoring important dates, and being impulsive or unorganized. Additionally, those with untreated ADHD often have trouble navigating workplace hierarchies and managing long-term projects due difficulties keeping deadlines. In some cases this could lead to unemployment, decreased job satisfaction, and increased levels of job anxiety and stress.
Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted a systematic review of the results associated with underdiagnosis and insufficient treatment of ADHD. Their findings showed that untreated ADHD adversely affects academic achievement as well as psychiatric and co-morbidities, substance use and employment, antisocial behavior driving, and health (e.g. smoking, obesity and sleep problems).
Some adults can benefit from other therapies in addition to obtaining an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These include behavioral treatments like behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes like a better diet and exercise. Certain individuals suffering from ADHD might also benefit from taking medication. The medications that can be prescribed include stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). The trial begins with a low dose to observe how the patient responds, before increasing the dosage.
Achieving a clear diagnosis and starting treatment early is crucial to better managing ADHD symptoms. Symptoms can also mimic those of other disorders, such as depression and anxiety, which is why it's crucial to seek an in-depth evaluation from a health care provider or mental health professional to determine what is the reason for these symptoms.
4. Increased Risk of Physical Health Issues
Untreated ADHD can make it difficult for adults to keep up with regular health routines. They may skip appointments or refills on prescriptions and be unable to adhere to diet, exercise and sleep schedules. This can make health issues worse like heart disease or hypertension. They may also have trouble managing financial issues. This can result in buying impulse-driven items or making late payments on bills. This can lead to the development of chronic health conditions that result from mental disorders that are underlying such as depression and anxiety.
In addition, those suffering from untreated ADHD often have difficulty to maintain relationships and social networks. Relationship problems are often caused by their symptoms, including forgetting household duties, ignoring their partners, or getting easily distracted when talking to others. They might also struggle to remember important occasions, such as birthdays and anniversary celebrations. This can cause tension and stress in their romantic relationships.
Many adults can improve their quality of life by implementing lifestyle changes and managing symptoms. They can use lists to control their forgetfulness. They can establish regular daily routines to decrease the amount of variability. And they can engage in physical activity to help them overcome their agitation. They should also collaborate with their doctor to determine the right medication dosage that will help them manage their symptoms while minimizing any side consequences.
It is essential to seek assistance in the event that you are experiencing the symptoms of ADHD. Refusing treatment can lead to people blaming their challenges on themselves, reliving them, and creating a vicious cycle that negatively affects their physical and mental well-being. Early diagnosis and treatment will help prevent these problems.
5. Suicide Risk Increased
It is not uncommon for those with untreated ADHD who are diagnosed to use self-destructive coping mechanisms. This can include drinking or using drugs that can cause mental health issues and lead to a downward spiral of symptoms.
In addition, those who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity and difficulties managing their emotions. They might miss important dates, or lose focus when they are talking. This could cause their loved ones to feel unhappy and unappreciated. They might also impulsively agree to something and then later regret it, which can affect friendships. In the workplace, those who suffer from untreated ADHD frequently miss deadlines and lose credibility because of their disorganization and inability to follow through on commitments.
Unfortunately, the challenges faced by people living with ADHD can create a recipe for anxiety and depression and can lead to suicide attempts. If not treated, ADHD is associated with a higher risk of suicide regardless of whether comorbidities are present. 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 is worth noting, however, that the majority of the participants were females. Only a handful of participants had been diagnosed with ADHDH. Future research should strive to utilize larger sample sizes to ensure accurate results. The research was also conducted using questionnaires. Therefore, results should be confirmed using diagnostic interviews.