The Long-Term Effects of Untreated ADHD in Adults

If you're diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, it could bring about a variety of emotions. It can cause feelings of sadness for missed opportunities or satisfaction that you now have a reason to explain your difficulties.

Untreated ADHD could have a long-lasting impact on relationships and finances, mental health and more. It is imperative that professionals consider the long-term consequences of untreated ADHD among adults.

1. Mental Health Issues and Risk Increased

Adults with ADHD who are not treated may struggle to manage negative emotions, especially when confronted with difficulties and setbacks. Untreated ADHD can cause a person to forget important dates or react with a rash response to sensitive conversations. This can affect relationships. They might also fail to meet deadlines or make mistakes in professional settings, which could affect trust and reliability. This can lead to 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 impulsive behavior. For instance, they may spend money on impulse or fail to keep track of their expenses. They may also not pay their phone bill on time. This could lead to late charges and overdue payment. They may also have difficulty maintaining stable employment due to the frequent changes in their jobs and struggles with attention to organization, time, and attention management.

Studies have 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 and co., 2018), and greater vulnerability to unsafe sexual practices (Bargiela and al. (2016)). It has also been associated with a lower quality of life and an increased chance of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease and weight gain.


Fortunately, those who suffer from untreated ADHD can benefit by pursuing treatment options such as therapy and psychoeducation. They can also learn to reduce the risk of having co-occurring diseases by keeping a close eye on their symptoms and ensuring they don't take certain medications, like stimulants, that may affect them. They should also be honest and transparent with their doctor about their symptoms and the impact they're having on their lives. This will allow them to receive medication that is most effective for their particular condition.

2. Increased Risk of Substance Use Disorders

A comorbid diagnosis of ADHD and substance use disorder (SUD) is very common among people living with untreated ADHD. Inattention and impulsivity two ADHD symptoms that can result in alcohol and drug abuse are very frequent. Studies have shown that a person who suffers from ADHD is more likely to be dependent on alcohol and drugs than people who don't have ADHD. This is believed to be due to the core ADHD symptoms of impulsivity, impulsivity, and low self-regulation. This can result in an increased risk of and alcohol usage.

Untreated ADHD can increase the likelihood of developing addiction to drugs due to the combination of low levels of dopamine and impaired dopamine-receptors. The stimulants, such as Ritalin and Adderall, are commonly used to treat ADHD because they raise dopamine levels in the brain, helping people focus and feel more calm. However, long-term use of stimulants can result in serious side effects, such as stroke, heart attack or brain damage, and even death.

Untreated ADHD can cause depression and suicidal thoughts. This can lead to addiction. In addition, many who are not treated for ADHD struggle with relationship and work issues. Untreated ADHD can also lead to financial issues that make it difficult for people to maintain sufficient health insurance.

Many adults feel content when they get the diagnosis of ADHD as an adult. They are now aware that their behavior was not their fault. Adults with ADHD should seek treatment. The first step is to speak with a doctor who can give you a complete assessment of your medication and recommend the best medication to meet your specific needs. Be sure to mention any other health conditions or medications you are taking, as some ADHD medications can interact with certain drugs.

3. Depression and anxiety are more likely to occur.

Untreated ADHD can have lasting consequences that impact a person's quality of life. These include difficulties at home, at work and in social interactions. There are also feelings of low self esteem, a pessimistic outlook and depression.

Adults suffering from ADHD might have difficulty managing relationships or maintain friendships due to difficulty in focusing on conversations, forgetting important dates and being impulsive or unorganized. Adults suffering from untreated ADHD may also have difficulties managing long-term projects and navigating the workplace hierarchy due their inability to meet deadlines. This can result in unemployment, a lower status in the workplace and higher levels of anxiety and stress.

Ginsberg and colleagues (64) conducted systematic reviews of the outcomes that are associated with the underdiagnosis or insufficient treatment of ADHD. Their findings indicated that untreated ADHD has negative impacts on academic performance and psychiatric comorbidities, drug abuse and employment, antisocial behavior driving, and physical health (e.g. obesity, smoking, poor sleep).

In addition to obtaining an accurate diagnosis of ADHD, some adults benefit from other treatment strategies. These include behavioral treatments like behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes such as a better diet and exercise. Some individuals with ADHD might also benefit from medication. The medications that are prescribed include stimulants, like methylphenidate (Ritalin) and dextroamphetamine (Adderall). iampsychiatry start with a small dose to see how the individual responds before adjusting the dosage.

It is crucial to receive the correct diagnosis as well as start treatment early to treat ADHD symptoms. These symptoms can also be a reflection of other disorders, such as depression and anxiety, so it is essential to have an in-depth evaluation from a health care provider or mental health specialist to determine what's the cause of these symptoms.

4. Risk Increased for Physical Health Problems

Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD may find it difficult to keep up with their regular healthcare routines. They might miss appointments, have trouble filling prescriptions, and struggle to adhere to the diet, sleep and exercise routines. This can lead to conditions like heart disease and hypertension. They may also be having difficulty managing financial matters. This can result in impulsive purchases or late payments on bills. This can also exacerbate chronic health conditions that stem from mental disorders that are underlying, including anxiety and depression.

Untreated ADHD can make it difficult for people to maintain social networks and relationships. Relationship problems can be caused by their symptoms, which include forgetting household chores, ignoring friends, or becoming easily distracted when talking to others. They may also have trouble remembering important dates, such as birthdays or anniversary celebrations. This can create tension and stress in their relationships, which could eventually result in breaking up.

Many adults can improve their quality of life by making lifestyle changes and managing symptoms. They can utilize lists and reminders to help manage their forgetfulness, develop routines for their daily lives to reduce the amount of variability and take part in physical activities to help them overcome restlessness. They can also work closely with their physician to determine the proper medication dosage that will help them manage their symptoms while minimizing any negative side effects.

If you're struggling with the symptoms of untreated ADHD is crucial to seek help. In the absence of treatment, it could lead to people blaming their problems on themselves, internalizing the issues and triggering a cycle that negatively impacts their physical and mental well-being. Early diagnosis and treatment will help prevent these problems.

5. Suicide Risk Increased

A diagnosis of ADHD can be misinterpreted as a character flaw and it's not uncommon for those suffering from untreated ADHD to develop self-destructive or harmful coping strategies. This could include the use of drugs or alcohol, which can lead to other mental health issues over time and cause a downward spiral of symptoms.

Additionally, people who suffer from ADHD may have difficulty maintaining relationships due to their impulsivity as well as difficulty managing emotions. They may miss important dates or drop off the ball in conversations, leaving significant others feeling unappreciated and angry. They might also agree to an unwise decision and then regret it. This can strain friendships. In the workplace, people who suffer from untreated ADHD often fail to meet deadlines and lose credibility due to due to their inability to keep their commitments.

The challenges of living with ADHD may lead to anxiety and depression. They may also trigger suicide attempts. Untreated 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 is worth noting, however, that the majority of the participants were females and only a few individuals had been diagnosed with ADHDH. Future research should aim to employ larger sample sizes to ensure exact results. Additionally, the studies were built on questionnaires, which means that the results must be validated with diagnostic interviews.