What Happens If ADHD is Left Untreated in Adults?
Adults suffering from ADHD are susceptible to a variety of issues if the condition goes untreated. These issues can impact relationships, work, and mental health.
Many times, people who suffer from untreated ADHD have low self-esteem as well as a negative perspective on the world. This can make them feel like they're failing both at work and at home.
Inattention and lack of Focus
Being unable to focus at times is normal and is commonplace, especially after a tiring day at work or school. If, however, you begin to notice that your focus has been decreasing and it's affecting your daily life, it may be time to seek assistance. If you are finding it difficult to finish your daily chores, you are absent from important social events, or make a few blunders in the workplace that can harm your reputation, this could be a sign of a bigger issue.
Symptoms of untreated ADHD can cause problems with relationships too. People with ADHD tend to have difficulty focussing on their partners which can result in disagreements and breakups. They can also speak before they think, which can lead them to say something that they later regret. This lack of self control can be especially difficult on a partner if they are feeling stressed, anxious or angry.
It is harder to manage budgets when someone has ADHD which could result in late payments or a missed bill. This is because inattention and impulsivity can result in poor decisions that impact the savings and budgets. If you're struggling to manage your money and you suffer from ADHD, seeking diagnosis and treatment can be a wise move.
Adults suffering from ADHD typically have difficulty in the workplace, as they find it harder to meet deadlines and pay attention to instructions and effectively work with coworkers. These issues can cause them to be denied promotions, or even be denied job opportunities. Inability to concentrate when driving could result in accidents or injuries. This is because you are more likely to be distracted by traffic noises and other drivers, or the surrounding environment than someone without ADHD. Being unable to concentrate can also negatively affect your self-esteem, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. If you've noticed your symptoms affect your daily functioning talk to our team to get an ADHD assessment today.
Relationship Problems
ADHD symptoms such as disorganization, forgetfulness, and impulsive behavior can create serious problems for relationships. It's not uncommon for non-ADHD partner to feel angry and even feel abandoned by an ADHD partner. This can create an ugly emotional tangle that can lead to relational distress and eventually breaking up.
The impulsiveness that characterizes ADHD can cause issues 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 create emotional stress when someone reacts to stressors in a different way and experiences a rapid swing in mood.
what happens if adhd is left untreated in adults can lead to the spouse or partner assisting the person. This is a huge issue because it hinders the person with ADHD from gaining their own independence. This can lead to the person suffering from ADHD being resentful toward their spouse or partner because they are always taking care of them.
Another problem that can be experienced when someone with ADHD is not treated in the context of a relationship is that they interpret their partner's behavior and think they are acting with the wrong motives. For example, when a partner with ADHD does not show up to an appointment, it can be taken as a sign that they do not care about you or the relationship.
When a person with ADHD isn't receiving the proper treatment, they could suffer from cognitive issues that could affect their ability to understand and respond effectively to the needs of others. For instance, they might have trouble understanding complex ideas and may skip over important information when they listen. They may also struggle with self-control in conversations and can show up as interrupting or speaking over other people.
You and your partner are able to resolve these issues by communicating consistently and in a clear manner. It's also an excellent idea to schedule regular family gatherings where everyone can talk about the issues they are facing and the best way to work together to address them. If this isn't working, you might be interested in couples counseling to gain new ways to communicate and strategies for organizing that can be used outside of the therapist's offices.
Health Issues
People with ADHD often have a harder to manage their emotions and regulating their impulses as adults, which could cause problems in both personal as well as professional. The impulsive nature of ADHD can lead them to behave in ways that are harmful to them and others, or it can result in risky behavior like reckless driving that can cause injuries or even death. They may also struggle to handle their daily tasks, like staying organized in completing deadlines or completing tasks at work.
ADHD symptoms in adults are different from those experienced by children. This can cause misdiagnosis and missed treatment options. Adults can experience symptoms such as difficulties paying attention in school, inconsistent writing and forgetting social or professional plans. They might be unable to focus on their work or complete long-term tasks, which can affect their financial and professional stability. They may have difficulty reading social cues. They could disrupt others or disrupt their conversations. This can create tension in relationships and make it difficult to build meaningful friendships.
They might also have trouble maintaining healthy lifestyles and miss regular health screenings. This can lead to the onset of physical conditions like obesity, hypertension or heart disease. They might have trouble sleeping because their minds are flooded with thoughts that are distracting. Or they may eat unhealthy food that contributes to weight gain and poor health.
Untreated ADHD can also result in 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 when their behavior becomes more severe. Undiagnosed ADHD can lead adults to accept an existence of boredom and depression. They may even have suicidal thoughts.
ADHD is a highly treatable condition by taking medication. There are a variety of drugs to pick from and a medical professional will take each patient's individual symptoms into consideration when determining a treatment plan. Certain adults may need to try a few different medications and dosages before finding the one that is right for them, but most people report that they are more productive at school, at work and at home once their ailments have been addressed with medications.
Depression
Many people with untreated ADHD are also afflicted by depression. Both conditions have similar symptoms and often occur together. Depression is more serious than a bad blues episode. It can cause a lack in motivation to do the things you enjoy and can lead to thoughts of suicide.
Individual talk therapy may help those suffering from ADHD to manage depression. Depression can be triggered by a variety of reasons such as a history of childhood trauma or abuse, financial problems or stress in relationships, as well as the emotional consequences of long-standing patterns of poor performance at school and work. ADHD can contribute to these issues and even exacerbate them, since people who suffer from ADHD who are not treated are more likely to be self-deprecating and feel like failures in various aspects of their lives.
If a person suffers from both ADHD and depression, then they should be treated for both conditions. Treatment options include psychotherapy and medication (also called cognitive behavior therapy). Cognitive behavioral therapy can help people change their negative behaviors and develop healthy coping skills. Counselors can also provide strategies to manage stress, including regular exercise, getting enough sleep and eating a balanced diet.
The good news is that most people who suffer from ADHD don't experience severe depression. The longer ADHD is not recognized the more it will impact a person's life particularly as they get older and their responsibilities rise. ADHD is characterised by impulsivity and insufficient concentration, which can make it difficult for adults to manage their obligations to their families, work and personal finances. They may fall into debt, find it difficult to find employment or be frustrated when they don't succeed at work or at home.
There are effective treatments available for both ADHD and Depression. Treatment can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and depression, and is often combined with nonstimulant medications that are used to treat depression. Some people with ADHD can control their depression with antidepressants. However, it's important to have a health care provider assess the person's mood and medical history before prescribing any medication.