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The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults Being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult can create complicated emotions. It can cause feelings of regret over missed opportunities or relief at finding a reason for your struggles. Untreated ADHD could have a long-lasting impact on relationships, finances, mental health and much more. It is important for providers to think about the long-term implications of untreated ADHD in adults. 1. Mental Health Issues – Increased Risk Adults suffering from untreated ADHD might have difficulty coping with negative emotions, particularly in the face of difficulties and setbacks. Untreated ADHD can cause a person to forget important dates or act with a rash response to sensitive conversations. This can strain relationships. They might also fail to meet deadlines or make naive errors in professional situations. This can cause a decline in trust and dependability. In some instances this can trigger feelings of anger and inadequacy and create a negative self-image. Additionally, people who suffer from untreated ADHD might experience financial difficulties because of their lack of attention, disorganization and impulsive behaviors. For instance, they may spend money in a hurry or fail to keep track of their bills. Or they may neglect to pay the phone bill on time. This could result in late charges and overdue payments. They may also struggle to hold a steady job due to frequent job changes and issues with organization, time management, and attention. Research has shown that undiagnosed ADHD is associated with higher rates of mental health issues like depression and anxiety (Able and al. 2007) and social issues (Bishop-Fitzpatrick et al. (2018)) and a higher risk to unsafe sexual practices (Bargiela et al., 2016). It is also associated with a lower quality of living and an increased chance of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease and weight gain. Luckily, adults with untreated ADHD can get help through treatment options that include therapy and psychoeducation. 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 be associated with them, such as stimulants. They can also be open and honest with their healthcare provider about their symptoms and how they affect their lives and enable them 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 comorbidity diagnosis that includes substance use disorder. ADHD symptoms like inattention and excessive impulsivity can result in drug abuse and alcohol dependency. Research has shown that people with ADHD is more likely to be addicted to alcohol and drugs than those who do not suffer from ADHD. This is thought to be due to the primary ADHD symptoms of impulsivity and insufficient self-regulation, which could result in a greater chance of experimenting with drugs and alcohol use. The combination of low dopamine levels and impaired dopamine receptors triggered by untreated ADHD can also increase the risk for addiction to drugs. Stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall are often used to treat ADHD. They boost dopamine levels in the brain and help individuals to focus and remain calm. But, long-term use of stimulants can cause serious side effects, such as stroke brain damage, heart attack and even death. People with untreated ADHD may be more likely to struggle with depression and have a higher risk for suicidal thoughts, which can contribute to substance abuse. Untreated ADHD can also result in relationship and work problems. Untreated ADHD can also lead to financial issues, which could make it harder for those who suffer from the condition to keep the proper health insurance coverage. Being diagnosed with ADHD in adulthood can be a relief for many adults, allowing them to recognize that their behavior isn't their own fault. Adults suffering from ADHD should seek treatment. First, you should consult an expert for a proper medication assessment and get the right medication for your needs. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other health issues or medications you take in order to ensure that ADHD medications can interact with certain substances. 3. Depression and anxiety are more likely to happen. Untreated ADHD can have a negative impact on a person's quality of living. These can include difficulties at home, work and in social interactions, poor relationships, low self-esteem and a negative outlook, and depression and anxiety. Adults suffering from ADHD may have trouble managing relationships or maintain friendships because of difficulty in focusing on conversations, not remembering important dates and being unorganized or impulsive. Adults who are not treated for ADHD might also have trouble managing long-term projects as well as navigating the workplace hierarchy due their inability to meet deadlines. In some cases this may result in unemployment, a decrease in professional status, and greater levels of job stress and anxiety. Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted systematic reviews of the results associated with underdiagnosis and inadequate treatment for ADHD. Their findings revealed that untreated ADHD has negative impacts on academic performance as well as psychiatric comorbidities and substance abuse, employment, antisocial behaviour driving, and physical health (e.g. obesity, smoking, poor sleep). Some adults can benefit from other treatments, in addition to receiving an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These include behavioral therapies such as behavioral therapy and lifestyle changes such as a better diet and exercise. what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults suffering from ADHD may also benefit from medication. The medications that can be prescribed include stimulants like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). At first the trial of medication begins with a low dose to determine how a person responds. Making sure you have a proper diagnosis and starting treatment early is essential to better managing ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can also be a reflection of other conditions like depression and anxiety, which is why it's important to get a thorough evaluation by a health care provider or mental health professional to determine what is the cause of these symptoms. 4. Increased Risk of Physical Health Issues Untreated ADHD can make it difficult for adults to adhere to regular healthcare routines. They may miss appointments, have trouble getting prescriptions filled, and struggle with adherence to the diet, sleep and exercise routines. This can lead to conditions like heart disease and hypertension. They may also be having difficulty managing their finances. This can result in impulse purchases or late payments on bills. This can lead to the worsening of chronic health issues that stem from mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety. In addition, people with untreated ADHD often have difficulty to maintain relationships and social networks. Problems with relationships may be due to their symptoms, including forgetting household chores, ignoring their partners, or getting easily distracted during conversations. They might also have difficulty remembering important events such as birthdays or anniversaries. This can lead to tension and stress in their relationships, which could eventually result in breaking up. For many adults, managing symptoms and lifestyle modifications can make a significant improvements in the quality of their life. They can make use of lists and reminders to help manage their forgetfulness, establish routines for their daily lives to reduce the amount of variability, and engage in physical activities to help them overcome 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 adverse effects. It is crucial to seek help if you are struggling with the symptoms of ADHD. If they delay seeking treatment, they could end finding themselves blamed for their difficulties, interpreting them as flaws in character and creating a vicious cycle that negatively impacts both their physical and mental health. Making sure you have a clear diagnosis and undergoing treatment as soon as you can will prevent these issues from occurring. 5. Increased Suicide Risk A diagnosis of ADHD can be taken as a sign of a character flaw and it's not uncommon for those suffering from untreated ADHD to turn to self-destructive or harmful coping strategies. This can include using alcohol or drugs, which can lead to mental health issues in the long run and can cause the deterioration of symptoms. People with ADHD can also have trouble maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity. They may have difficulty managing their emotions. They may not be able to attend important events or drop off the track during conversations, leaving significant others feeling inadequate and dissatisfied. They could also be impulsively accept something only to later regret it, which can affect friendships. Adults with untreated ADHD are often unorganized and lose their credibility at work due to the fact that they can't keep their promises. The challenges that come with living with ADHD can be a recipe for anxiety and depression, which can also cause suicide attempts. If not treated, ADHD is associated with an increased 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. It should be noted however that the majority of the participants were females, and only a handful of participants had been diagnosed with ADHDH. Future research should aim to employ larger sample sizes in order to ensure exact results. Furthermore, the research was built on questionnaires, which means that the results must be validated with diagnostic interviews.