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 finding a cause for your struggles.
Untreated ADHD can have a long-lasting impact on relationships financial stability, mental health and more. It is crucial for healthcare providers to think about the long-term implications of untreated ADHD in adults.
1. Increased Risk of Mental Health Problems
Adults with ADHD who aren't treated may have difficulty managing negative emotions, especially when confronted 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 could strain relationships. They may also fail to meet deadlines or make naive errors in professional situations. This can impact the trust and reliability of others. This can lead to feelings of anger or inadequacy and a negative self-image.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD may also experience financial issues due to their lack of attention and disorganization as well as unpredictable behavior. They could, for instance spend money in a hurry or fail to keep track of their bills. Or they may forget to pay the phone bill on time. This could lead to the bill being late or not paying. They may also face difficulties keeping a steady job due to frequent job changes and difficulties with attention, organization, and time management.
Studies show that the absence of a diagnosis of ADHD is associated with higher rates of mental health issues like depression and anxiety (Able et al. 2007), social problems (Bishop-Fitzpatrick and co. (2018)) and a higher risk to unsafe sexual practices (Bargiela et al. (2016)). It is also linked to a lower quality of life and an increased risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and weight gain.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD might benefit from psychoeducation and therapy. They can also decrease the risk of developing co-occurring disorders by keeping an eye on their symptoms and staying clear of certain medications that might affect them, such as stimulants. They should also be forthcoming and honest with their health care provider about their symptoms and how they affect their life and enable them 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 all too common for people who suffer from untreated ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity, two ADHD symptoms that can result in drinking and drug use are prevalent. Someone with ADHD is at 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 result in a greater risk for experimenting with drug and alcohol use.
Untreated ADHD can increase the risk of drug addiction due to 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, allowing people to focus and stay calm. However, long-term use of stimulants can result in serious side effects such as stroke, heart attack, brain damage and even death.
first line treatment for adhd in adults who do not have treatment for ADHD might be more likely to suffer from depression and have a higher chance of having suicidal thoughts which can contribute to the use of drugs. Untreated ADHD can also lead to issues with relationships and work. Untreated ADHD can also result in financial problems that make it difficult for people to maintain the right health insurance coverage.
Many adults feel at ease when they receive a diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. They now know that their behavior was not their fault. Adults with ADHD should seek treatment. The first step is to talk with a doctor who can give you a complete medication evaluation and recommend the right medications for your particular needs. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other health issues or medications you are taking for, as certain ADHD medications may interact with certain substances.
3. Depression and anxiety are more likely to occur.
Untreated ADHD can affect a person's quality of life. These include difficulties at work, home and social interactions. Additionally, they may experience feelings of low self esteem, a pessimistic outlook and depression.
Adults with ADHD can have difficulty maintaining relationships or establishing friendships due to the fact that they are easily distracted and forget important dates or are unable to pay attention. Additionally, people who are not treated for ADHD often have difficulty dealing with workplace hierarchy and managing long-term projects due to difficulty keeping deadlines. This can lead to unemployment, a lower status in the workplace and higher levels of anxiety and stress.
Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted a systematic review of the outcomes associated with underdiagnosis and undertreatment of ADHD. Their findings showed that untreated ADHD has negative impacts on academic performance as well as psychiatric comorbidities and substance abuse, employment, antisocial behaviour driving, physical health (e.g. obesity, smoking and poor sleep).
Some adults can benefit from other treatments in addition to receiving an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These include behavioral therapies like behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes like a better diet and exercise. Medication is a viable option for those suffering from ADHD. Medications that may be prescribed include stimulants, like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). The trial begins with a low dose in order to observe how the patient responds before adjusting the dosage.
It is important to get the correct diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible to manage ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be similar to those of other disorders like anxiety and depression, so it's crucial to seek a thorough evaluation by a health care provider or mental health professional to determine what's the cause of these symptoms.
4. Risk Increased for Physical Health Issues
Untreated ADHD can make it difficult for adults to adhere to regular health routines. They might miss appointments and refills for prescriptions and struggle with adherence to the diet, exercise and sleep schedules, which can exacerbate existing health issues like heart disease or hypertension. They may also have difficulty dealing with financial issues, resulting in impulse spending or a late payment of bills. This can lead to the worsening of chronic health issues that stem from mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Untreated ADHD can cause people to be unable to maintain their social networks and relationships. Problems with relationships can be caused by their symptoms, including forgetting household chores, ignoring partners, or being easily distracted when talking to others. They may also have difficulty to remember important occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries. This can cause tension and stress in their relationships, which may eventually result in a breakup.
For many adults, symptom management and lifestyle modifications can make a significant improvements in the quality of their life. They can use lists to control their forgetfulness. They can create structured daily routines in order to reduce the variability. They can also engage in physical activity to help them overcome their agitation. They can also work with a doctor to design an appropriate medication dosage that will improve their symptoms but not cause any negative adverse side adverse effects.
For those who are struggling with the symptoms of untreated ADHD it is essential to seek out help. Refusing treatment can lead to people blaming their problems on themselves, internalizing them and creating a cycle that negatively impacts their mental and physical well-being. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent these complications.
5. Increased Risk of Suicide
A diagnosis of ADHD can be misinterpreted as a character flaw, and it is not uncommon for people with untreated ADHD to turn to self-destructive or harmful coping strategies. This can include using alcohol or drugs. This can lead to mental health issues later on and can cause the deterioration of symptoms.
People with ADHD may also have difficulty maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity, and they might struggle with managing emotions. They may be late for important dates or fall off the track in conversations, leaving loved ones feeling unappreciated and angry. They might also make a decision an unwise decision and then regret it. This can cause a strain on friendships. In the workplace, those with untreated ADHD frequently miss deadlines and lose credibility because of their disorganization and inability to follow through on commitments.
The challenges of living with ADHD may lead to anxiety and depression. These can be a trigger for suicide attempts. If not treated, ADHD is associated with an increased risk of suicide behavior regardless of whether comorbidities 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.
However, it should be noted that the participants in the study were predominantly female, and only a small number of individuals had a diagnosis of ADHD-H. Therefore, future research should strive for larger sample sizes to ensure the accuracy of results. The studies were also built on questionnaires. Therefore, the results must be verified using diagnostic interviews.