The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can bring up complicated emotions. It can trigger feelings of regret over missed opportunities, or feeling of relief from finally finding a cause for your challenges.
Untreated ADHD may have a long-term effect on relationships and finances, mental health and more. It is crucial for healthcare providers to take into consideration the long-term consequences of untreated ADHD for adults.
1. Mental Health Issues and Risk Increased
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD might have difficulty coping with negative emotions, particularly in the face of challenges and setbacks. For example, a person who is not treated for ADHD may forget important dates or react impulsively in sensitive conversations, which can affect relationships. They might also fail to meet deadlines, or make careless errors in professional settings. This can impact confidence and trust. In some cases, this can amplify feelings of frustration and inadequacy and create a negative self-image.
Adults with untreated ADHD might also face financial problems due to their inattention, disorganization and impulsive behavior. They might, for example spend money on impulse or not keep track of their expenses. Or they may not pay their phone bill on time. This can lead to the bill being late or not paying. They might also have trouble keeping a steady job due to their frequent job changes and issues with attention to detail, organization, and time management.
Studies have shown that undiagnosed ADHD is associated with higher rates of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression (Able et al. 2007) and social issues (Bishop-Fitzpatrick et al. 2018) and a greater susceptibility to unsafe sexual practices (Bargiela et al., 2016). Furthermore, it has been linked to lower quality of life and an increased risk of chronic health conditions like heart disease and obesity.
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD could benefit from psychoeducation and therapy. They can also decrease the risk of developing co-occurring disorders by keeping a close eye on their symptoms and avoid certain medications that could affect them, like stimulants. They can also be open and honest with their healthcare provider about their symptoms and how they affect their life, which will allow providers to prescribe medications that are most effective for them.
2. Increased Risk of Substance Use Disorders
Untreated ADHD patients are more likely to receive a comorbid diagnosis that includes substance use disorder. ADHD symptoms like inattention and excessive impulsivity can result in drug addiction and alcohol dependence. Studies have shown that a person who suffers from ADHD is more likely to be dependent on alcohol and drugs than people who do not suffer from ADHD. This is believed to be due the primary ADHD symptoms as well as impulsivity and poor self-regulation. These may result in an increased risk of and alcohol use.
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 frequently used to treat ADHD because they raise dopamine levels in the brain, which helps people to focus and stay relaxed. However, long-term use of stimulants can cause serious negative side effects, like stroke brain damage, heart attack or even death.
People who do not have treatment for ADHD may be more likely to suffer from depression and have a higher likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts which can contribute to the use of drugs. In addition, many who are not treated for ADHD struggle with relationships and work. Untreated ADHD can also lead to financial problems, which may make it difficult for those who suffer from the condition to maintain the proper health insurance coverage.
Receiving a diagnosis of ADHD in adulthood can come as a relief for many adults and allows them to realize that their behavior is not their own responsibility. Adults with ADHD should seek treatment. First, you must consult an expert for an accurate medication assessment and to receive the most effective medication for your needs. The disclosure of any health issues or medications is essential since some ADHD medication may interact with certain substances.
3. Depression and anxiety are more likely to happen.
Untreated ADHD can impact a person’s quality of living. This includes difficulties at home, work and social interactions bad relationships, feelings of low self-esteem and a negative outlook, as well as anxiety and depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD may have trouble maintaining relationships or establishing friendships due to the fact that they are impulsive and forget important dates or aren't paying attention. Additionally, those who are not treated for ADHD frequently have difficulty navigating workplace hierarchies and managing long-term projects due to difficulties keeping deadlines. This can result in unemployment, lower occupational status and increased levels of anxiety and stress.
Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted systematic reviews of the outcomes associated with underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment for ADHD. Their findings indicated that untreated ADHD can have negative effects on academic performance, psychiatric comorbidities, substance abuse as well as on employment, antisocial behavior, driving, and physical health (e.g. obesity, smoking, poor sleep).
Certain adults may benefit from other therapies in addition to obtaining an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These include behavioral therapies like behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes such as 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 small dose to determine how the person responds before adjusting the dosage.
Achieving a clear diagnosis and starting treatment as soon as possible is crucial for better managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms of ADHD could be similar to symptoms of anxiety or depression. It is crucial to seek out a mental health professional or a health care professional evaluate your symptoms to determine the root cause.
4. Higher Risk of Physical Health Issues
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their regular healthcare routines. They may skip appointments or refills on prescriptions, and they might struggle with adherence to diet, exercise and sleep schedules, which could exacerbate existing health problems like heart disease or hypertension. 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 conditions that result from underlying mental disorders, including anxiety and depression.
Untreated ADHD can make it difficult for people to maintain social networks and relationships. The symptoms, like forgetting to fulfill household responsibilities and ignoring their partner, or getting easily distracted during conversations, can cause problems with relationships. They may also have difficulties remembering important dates, such as birthdays or anniversary celebrations. This can cause tension and anxiety in their relationships.
For many adults, managing symptoms and lifestyle changes can make a significant improvements in the quality of life. More can make use of lists and reminders to control their forgetfulness, establish structured daily routines to reduce the amount of variability and also engage in physical activities to help them overcome their restlessness. They can also work with a doctor to develop the right dosage of medication that will improve their symptoms but not cause any negative side effects.
For those who are struggling to cope with the symptoms of untreated ADHD it is essential to seek help. Refusing treatment can lead to people blaming their challenges on themselves, focusing on the issues and triggering a cycle that negatively affects their mental and physical well-being. Early diagnosis and treatment will help prevent these problems.
5. Increased Suicide Risk
It is not uncommon for those with untreated ADHD who are diagnosed to resort to self-destructive strategies to cope. This may include drinking or using drugs that can lead over time to other mental health issues and lead to a downward spiral of symptoms.
In addition, those with ADHD might have trouble maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity and difficulty managing their emotions. They might miss important dates or drop off in conversations, leaving their loved ones feeling undervalued and frustrated. They might also agree to something carelessly and later regret it. This can affect friendships. Adults suffering from untreated ADHD are often disorganized and lose credibility at work because they don't adhere to their commitments.
The difficulties associated with living with ADHD can cause anxiety and depression. These can also trigger suicide attempts. Untreated ADHD is linked to a higher risk of suicide 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 subjects in the study were mostly female, and only a small percentage of them had a diagnosis of ADHD-H, so future research should focus on larger sample sizes to ensure the accuracy of results. The studies were also based on questionnaires. Therefore, the results should be verified using diagnostic interviews.