What Happens If ADHD is Left Untreated in Adults?
Untreated ADHD can lead to a myriad of problems for adults. adult adhd diagnostic assessment and treatment can affect work, relationships and mental health.
Adults who suffer from untreated ADHD often have low self-esteem, and a pessimistic outlook on the world. They may feel like they're failing at work and home.
Inattention and lack of Focus
It is normal to have difficulties focusing from time to moment, especially after a busy day at school or work. However, if you start to notice that your focus is becoming more difficult and is impacting the rest of your life, it might be time to consider seeking assistance. If you are finding it difficult to complete your daily chores, you do not attend important social events, or make a few blunders at work that could harm your reputation, this could be a sign of a bigger issue.
The signs of untreated ADHD can lead to problems in relationships as well. People who suffer from ADHD tend to have difficulty focussing on their partners which can result in disagreements and breakups. They also tend to speak before thinking, which could cause them to say things that they later regret. This lack of self-control can be particularly difficult on an individual partner when they are being stressed, angry or anxious.
When someone has ADHD is more difficult to manage finances. This could result in delayed or missed payments. This is because the impulsivity and inattention of ADHD can lead to poor choices that can affect the savings and budgets. If you suffer from ADHD and are having trouble managing your finances, it is recommended to seek treatment and diagnose.
Adults suffering from ADHD have difficulty working in a workplace. They have a difficult time to keep deadlines on track, follow instructions and effectively work with their colleagues. These issues can lead them to be denied promotions, or be denied job opportunities. In addition, if you struggle to remain focused while driving, your lack of concentration could result in accidents and injuries. This is due to the fact that you are more likely to be distracted by traffic noises and other drivers, or the surroundings as compared to someone who doesn't have ADHD. Your self-esteem, emotional well-being and mental health can be negatively affected by your inability to focus. Speak to our team today if you've noticed that your symptoms are affecting your daily life.
Relationship Problems
ADHD symptoms like disorganization, forgetfulness and impulsive behavior could result in serious relationship issues. It's not uncommon for people who are not ADHD to be frustrated, resentful, and even abandoning their ADHD partner. This can lead to a tense tangle of emotions that leads to relationship distress and eventually breaking up.
The impulsiveness that is characteristic of ADHD can also cause problems in relationships with family and friends. It can lead to financial stress when a person fails to pay bills or manage their finances effectively. It can also trigger emotional stress when someone reacts disproportionately and experiences rapid mood swings.
Untreated ADHD can result in the spouse or partner assisting the person. This is a big problem because it hinders the person suffering from ADHD from gaining their own independence. It can also lead to the person with ADHD feeling resentful of their spouse or partner due to the fact that they're always taking care of them.
Another issue that can occur when a person suffering from ADHD is untreated in a relationship is that they can misinterpret their partner's behaviors and believe they have ulterior motives. For example, when an individual with ADHD does not show up to a scheduled meeting and doesn't show up, it could be interpreted as a sign that they aren't interested in you or the relationship.
When a person with ADHD is not receiving the appropriate treatment, they can also experience cognitive issues that can hinder their ability to comprehend and respond in a way that is appropriate to the needs of other people. For instance, they could struggle to comprehend complex concepts and are prone to skipping over important information when they listen. They may also struggle with self-control in conversations that can manifest as a tendency to interrupt or speak over others.
You and your partner can resolve these issues by speaking regularly and clearly. It's also an excellent idea to try and schedule regular household meetings, where everyone can discuss the issues they're experiencing and how they can work together to resolve them. If this doesn't work, it may be time to look into couples counseling so that you can learn new ways to communicate and organizational strategies to use outside of the therapist's office.
Health-related Issues
People who have ADHD tend to have a tougher in managing their emotions and regulating their impulses as adults. This could cause problems in both their personal as well as professional. The impulsive nature of ADHD can lead them to behave in ways that hurt their own or others, or it can cause risky actions such as reckless driving, which could cause injuries or even death. They also can struggle to manage their daily life tasks, including keeping track of their schedules and meeting deadlines, or keeping up with work assignments.
ADHD symptoms in adults are different from those experienced by children. This can lead to misdiagnosis or missed treatment opportunities. Adults might experience symptoms such as difficulty focusing in class, sloppy work and forgetting meetings or social plans. They might be unable to prioritize their work or complete long-term projects which could affect their career and financial stability. They may have difficulty reading social signals. They could interrupt others or interfere with their conversations. This can cause strain in relationships and make it hard to build meaningful friendships.
Additionally, they may have trouble maintaining healthy lifestyles and may miss regular health screenings, which can exacerbate physical health conditions like hypertension, heart disease or obesity. They might experience sleeplessness because their minds are filled with distracting thoughts. Or they may consume unhealthy food which leads to weight gain and poor health.
Untreated ADHD can lead to depression and other mood disorders that can have a significant impact on the quality of a person's life. They may lose confidence and self-esteem, and find it difficult to maintain relationships or work as their behavior gets worse. Some adults with undiagnosed ADHD accept a life without joy and can develop depressed or experience suicidal thoughts.
Luckily, ADHD is highly treatable with medication. There are a myriad of types of drugs to pick from, and a healthcare provider will take the individual's symptoms into consideration when creating the treatment plan. Certain adults may need to test a variety of medications and dosages before finding the best one, however most people report that they are much more successful at work, school and at home once their ailments are treated by medications.
Depression
Many people with untreated ADHD are also afflicted by depression. The symptoms of both disorders overlap, and they often occur together. Depression is not just an illness that causes blues, and it is an illness of the mind that can cause a lack of interest in daily activities and thoughts of suicide.
Individual therapy can help people with ADHD manage depression. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors like a history of or abuse during childhood, financial struggles, relationship stress and the emotional consequences of persistent patterns of underachievement at school and work. ADHD could be a contributing factor to these types of issues and may even exacerbate them because people with untreated ADHD are more likely to suffer from low self-esteem and feel of being a failure in different aspects of their lives.
If someone suffers from both ADHD and depression, they must seek treatment for both disorders. Treatment options could include medication and psychotherapy, which is typically called cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people develop a plan to change their negative behavior and develop healthy strategies for coping. A counselor can also teach strategies to manage stress, such as regular exercise, sleeping enough, and eating well.
The good news is most people suffering from ADHD do not experience depression severe. The longer ADHD is ignored the more it will affect a person's life, especially as they age and their responsibilities rise. The impulsivity and lack of focus that are characteristic of ADHD can make adults have trouble managing their work assignments, family commitments, and personal finances. As a result, they could end up in debt, have a difficult time finding employment and become unhappy when they don't succeed at work or at home.
The good news is that there are effective treatments for both ADHD and depression. Treatments can help alleviate the symptoms associated with ADHD and is often used in conjunction with non-stimulant medications that can be used for depression. Certain people with ADHD are able to control their depression by taking antidepressants, however it is crucial that a medical professional evaluates the person's mood and medical history, and any other concerns before prescribing medication for any condition.