What Happens If ADHD is Left Untreated in Adults?
Untreated ADHD can lead to a range of issues for adults. These include problems with relationships, work and mental health.
Many times, people who suffer from untreated ADHD have low self-esteem and a pessimistic perspective on the world. They may feel like they're failing at work and at home.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Being unable to focus from time to time is normal particularly after a long day at school or at work. If you notice that your ability to concentrate is getting worse, and is affecting your life in a negative way, it may be time to seek assistance. If you are struggling to keep up with your daily chores, skip important social occasions, or regularly get lost items or make mistakes at work that impact your reputation, this could indicate an issue that is more serious.
Untreated ADHD symptoms can also cause relationship issues. People suffering from ADHD tend to have difficulty focussing on their partners which can result in disputes and breakups. They also tend to talk before thinking, which can lead them to say things that they later regret. This inability to control their thoughts can be especially difficult for the person who is feeling frustrated, stressed or anxious.
It's harder to keep track of budgets when someone has ADHD which could lead to late payments or a missed bill. Inattention and impulsivity could lead to poor decisions which affect the savings and budgets. If you are struggling to manage your money and you suffer from ADHD, seeking diagnosis and treatment can be a smart choice.
Adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty in the workplace. They find it difficult to meet deadlines, follow instructions and collaborate effectively with their coworkers. These issues can lead to being denied promotions or being denied work. Inability to focus while driving can also lead to accidents or injuries. You are more likely than someone without ADHD to be distracted by road sounds from other drivers or the surrounding. Having trouble keeping your focus could also affect your self-esteem, mental health and emotional wellbeing. Speak to our team today if you've noticed your symptoms impact your daily activities.
Relationship problems
Relationship problems can be caused by ADHD symptoms such as inattention, forgetfulness and disorganization. It's not uncommon for a non-ADHD partners to feel angry or even abandoned by an ADHD partner. This can result in a messy tangle of emotions that leads to relational distress and eventually breaking up.
The impulsiveness that is characteristic of ADHD can cause issues in relationships with family and friends. When someone does not manage their finances or pay bills promptly, it can create financial stress. It can also create emotional stress when someone reacts to stressors in a different way and experiences rapid mood swings.
A common issue that arises when someone suffering from ADHD is untreated is that their spouse or partner begins to over-help them. This is a problem because it prevents a person with ADHD from being independent. This can lead to the person with ADHD being resentful toward their spouse or partner due to the fact that they always take their own care.
If a person suffering from ADHD in a relationship does not receive treatment, they might interpret the behavior of their partner and think they have that they have ulterior motives. When a partner with ADHD doesn't attend an appointment and is interpreted as a sign they don't value you or your relationship.
If a person suffering from ADHD isn't receiving the right treatment, they may experience cognitive issues that can hinder their ability to comprehend and respond appropriately to other people's needs. For instance, they could struggle to comprehend complex concepts and tend to skip over important information when they listen. They might also have difficulty with conversational self-restraint, which may manifest as disrupting others or speaking over them.
The best way to address the issues is to make sure that you and your spouse communicate clearly and regularly. It's a good idea to encourage everyone to attend regular family meetings to discuss issues and figure out ways to work together to solve these issues. If this isn't working, you might think about couples counseling to learn new communication techniques and strategies for organizing that can be applied outside of the therapist's offices.
Health Problems
Adults suffering from ADHD have a hard time controlling their emotions and impulses, which could create problems in their personal and professional life. Their impulsive nature can lead them to take actions that could harm them and others, or lead to risky behavior like reckless driving which could result in injury or even death. They may also be struggling to accomplish daily tasks, such as being organized, meeting work deadlines, or keeping up with their assignments.
The signs of ADHD do not manifest in the same way in adults as they do in children, which can lead to misdiagnosis and missed treatment options. Adults might experience symptoms like difficulties in paying attention to class, unorganized work or missing social or class schedules. They may be unable manage their time or complete long-term projects which could impact their job and financial stability. They might have trouble interpreting social signals. They may disrupt others or disrupt their conversations. This can cause strain in relationships and make it hard for them to establish meaningful friendships.
They may also have difficulty maintaining healthy lifestyles and miss regular health screenings. This can lead to the onset of physical conditions such as obesity, hypertension or heart disease. They may have difficulty sleeping because their minds are flooded with distracting thoughts. Or they may eat unhealthy food that contributes to weight gain and poor health.
Untreated ADHD could also cause depression or other mood disorders that can affect a person's quality of life. It can cause people to lose confidence and self-esteem, and they may be unable to maintain relationships or jobs as their behavior gets worse over time. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead adults to live an existence of boredom and depression. They might even develop suicidal thoughts.
ADHD is a very treatable condition with medication. There are a variety of drugs to pick from and a doctor will take the individual's symptoms into consideration when determining the treatment plan. Some adults may have to test a variety of dosages and medications before they find the one that is right for them, but most people report that they are more productive at work, school and at home once their ailments are treated by medication.
Depression
Many people who suffer from untreated ADHD also suffer from depression. Both conditions share similar symptoms, and they often occur together. adhd treatment for adults without medication is not just a blues-like feeling and is a serious mental illness that can lead to a lack of interest in daily activities and thoughts of suicide.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD manage depression. Depression can be triggered by many factors like a history of or abuse during childhood, financial struggles, relationship stress and the emotional fallout from long-standing patterns of underachievement in school and at work. ADHD can be a factor in these types of issues and can exacerbate them because people with untreated ADHD tend to have low self-esteem and a sense of being unworthy in various aspects of their lives.
If a person is suffering from both ADHD and depression, then they should be treated for both conditions. Treatment options may include psychotherapy and medication, which is often known as cognitive behavior therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy assists individuals to alter their negative behavior and develop healthy coping strategies. A counselor can teach stress-reduction strategies, like regular physical exercise, ensuring adequate sleep and eating a healthy diet.
The positive side is that the majority of people suffering from ADHD do not suffer from severe depression. However the longer ADHD goes undiagnosed and untreated the more it will affect a person's quality of life as they get older and their responsibilities become more complex. ADHD is defined by impulsivity and insufficient focus, which makes it difficult for adults to manage their obligations to their families, work and personal finances. The result is that they can end in debt, have a hard finding a job and become dissatisfied when they're not doing well at work or at home.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for both ADHD and depression. The use of medication can reduce the symptoms that are associated with ADHD and is often used in conjunction with nonstimulant drugs that can be used to treat depression. Certain people with ADHD are able to manage their depression using antidepressants. However, it is essential that a health care provider assess the person's mood and medical history prior to prescribing any medication.