The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults
Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult may create complicated emotions. It can cause feelings of regret over missed opportunities or relief at finding a reason for your struggles.
untreated adhd in adults depression could have a long-lasting impact on relationships, finances, mental health and more. It is crucial for healthcare providers to consider the long-term effects of untreated ADHD for adults.
1. Mental Health Issues Increased Risk
Adults suffering from untreated ADHD might have difficulty coping with negative emotions, particularly when faced with challenges and setbacks. Untreated ADHD can cause someone to forget important dates or react impulsively in sensitive conversations. This can affect relationships. They may also fail to meet deadlines, or make careless mistakes in professional situations. This can cause a decline in the trust and reliability of others. This can cause feelings of anger or inadequacy and a negative self-image.
Adults with untreated ADHD might also face financial problems due to their lack of attention, disorganization and unpredictable behavior. They could, for instance spend money in a hurry or not keep track of their expenses. Or, they might not pay their phone bill on time. This can lead to late charges and overdue payment. They may also face difficulties finding a stable job due to the frequent changes in their jobs and difficulties with attention to detail, organization, and time management.
Studies have shown that the absence of a diagnosis of ADHD is associated with higher rates of mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression (Able and al., 2007), social problems (Bishop-Fitzpatrick et al. 2018), and greater vulnerability to sexually harmful practices (Bargiela et al. (2016)). Additionally, it has been linked with lower quality of life and an increased risk of chronic health conditions like obesity and heart disease.
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 a close eye on their symptoms, and avoid certain medications that could interact with them, such as stimulants. They should also be forthcoming and honest with their health care provider about their symptoms and how they impact their lives 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 very common among people who suffer from untreated ADHD. ADHD symptoms like inattention and excessive impulsivity can result in drug dependence and alcohol abuse. Studies have found that someone who suffers from ADHD is more likely to be addicted to alcohol and drugs than those who do not have ADHD. This is believed to be due the main ADHD symptoms, impulsivity and low self-regulation. These can lead to an increased risk of drug and alcohol use.
The combination of low levels of dopamine and impaired dopamine receptors caused by untreated ADHD can also increase the risk for drug addiction. The stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are commonly used to treat ADHD because they raise dopamine levels in the brain, helping individuals focus and be more calm. However, long-term usage of stimulants may cause serious negative side effects, like stroke or heart attack, brain damage and even death.
People who do not have treatment for ADHD are more likely to experience depression and have a higher likelihood of experiencing suicidal thoughts which can lead to the use of drugs. In addition, many people with untreated ADHD struggle with relationships and work. Untreated ADHD can also result in financial problems that make it difficult for individuals to maintain the right 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. However, it is important for adults with ADHD to seek treatment. The first step is to talk with a doctor who can provide you with a thorough assessment of your medication and recommend the best medication to meet your specific needs. The disclosure of any health issues or medications is important since some ADHD medication can interact with certain substances.
3. Increased Risk of Depression and Anxiety
Untreated ADHD can affect a person's quality of living. These include difficulties at work, home and in social interactions. They also include feelings of low self esteem, a pessimistic outlook and depression.
Adults suffering from ADHD can have difficulty maintaining relationships or maintaining friendships because they are easily distracted or forget important dates or have trouble paying attention. Additionally, people who are not treated for ADHD often have trouble working through workplace hierarchy and managing long-term projects due difficulties keeping deadlines. In some cases this may cause unemployment, lower professional status, and greater levels of job anxiety and stress.
Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted a systematic review of the outcomes associated with underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment for ADHD. Their findings indicated that untreated ADHD has negative impacts on academic performance as well as psychiatric comorbidities and substance abuse and employment, antisocial behavior driving, and physical health (e.g., obesity, smoking and poor sleep).
Some adults can benefit from other therapies in addition to obtaining an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These include behavioral therapies like behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes like a better diet and exercise. The use of medication is also an effective option for those suffering from ADHD. The medications that are prescribed include stimulants, like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). In the beginning, the medication trial starts with a low dose to see how an individual responds.
Achieving a clear diagnosis and establishing treatment early is crucial to better managing ADHD symptoms. The symptoms can be similar to those of other disorders, such as depression and anxiety, so it's important to get an accurate assessment by a health care provider or mental health professional to determine what is causing these symptoms.
4. Increased Risk of Physical Health Problems
Untreated ADHD can make it difficult for adults to maintain regular health routines. They may skip appointments and prescription refills and may struggle with adherence to diet, exercise and sleep schedules. This can make health issues worse like hypertension or heart disease. They may also have difficulty handling financial matters, resulting in impulsive spending or a late payment of bills. This can also lead to the onset of chronic health conditions that result from underlying mental disorders, including anxiety and depression.
Additionally, those with untreated ADHD often have difficulty to maintain relationships and social support networks. Their symptoms, such as forgetting to fulfill household responsibilities or ignoring their partner becoming easily distracted during conversations, may lead to relationship problems. They might also have difficulty remembering important events such as birthdays or anniversary celebrations. This can lead to stress and tension in their relationships, which may eventually lead to breaking up.
For many adults, managing symptoms and lifestyle changes can make a significant improvements in the quality of life. They can make use of lists and reminders to help manage their forgetfulness, establish structured daily routines to reduce fluctuations and also engage in physical activities to help them overcome restlessness. They can also consult with a doctor to develop an appropriate medication dosage that can help ease their symptoms without causing negative side effects.
If you're struggling to manage the symptoms of untreated ADHD, it's crucial to seek help. Refusing treatment could lead to people blame their issues on themselves, internalizing them and creating a cycle that negatively affects their physical and mental health. Getting an accurate diagnosis and beginning treatment as early as possible will help prevent these complications from arising.
5. Increased Risk of Suicide
A diagnosis of ADHD could be mistakenly interpreted as a flaw in character and it is uncommon for people with untreated ADHD to resort to self-destructive or harmful ways of coping. This could include using or drinking alcohol that may lead over time to other mental health problems and contribute to a downward cycle of symptoms.
People with ADHD may also have difficulty maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity, and they may have difficulty managing their emotions. untreated adhd in adults depression might be late for important dates or fall off the track during conversations, leaving loved ones feeling inadequate and dissatisfied. They could also be impulsively accept something only to later regret it, which could cause tension in friendships. In the workplace, those with untreated ADHD frequently miss deadlines and lose credibility due to of their lack of organization and inability to fulfill commitments.
The difficulties of living with ADHD may lead to depression and anxiety. These can also lead towards suicide attempts. If not treated, ADHD is associated with a higher likelihood of suicide, regardless if 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.
However, it must be noted that the subjects in the study were mostly female and only a small number of individuals were diagnosed with ADHD-H. Therefore, future research should focus on larger sample sizes to ensure accurate results. Additionally, the studies were conducted using questionnaires, and therefore results should be validated using diagnostic interviews.