Untreated ADHD: The Surprising Risks for Adults & Children
Can you live with untreated ADHD?
Yes–but that doesn’t mean life will be easy, and leaving ADHD untreated carries significant risks for both adults and children.
Therapist and clinical supervisor Dr. Christina Crowe recently joined us on the Motherhood in ADHD podcast to discuss the risks of untreated ADHD, and here’s a bit of what she had to say:
“There’s an average 22 years loss of life for untreated ADHD. Addiction, going to jail, divorce – it’s not pretty. ”
With symptoms like inattention and impulsivity, people with untreated ADHD are at a higher risk for accidents, substance abuse, relationship trouble and problems at work and school.
Let’s take a look at why ADHD goes untreated, and the specific risks for each age group.
Click here to listen to episode #143 of Motherhood in ADHD with Dr. Christina Crowe.
What is ADHD?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. There are three main types of the disorder: inattentive, hyperactive, and combined.
Those with inattentive type typically deal with difficulty paying attention and staying focused on what they want to be focused on. This feels more like mental or internal hyperactivity than external or physical hyperactivity.. Women are generally more likely to be diagnosed with this type.
According to a CDC study, an estimated 6.1 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD, along with 2.1 percent of the adult population.
Common treatments for ADHD include stimulant and non-stimulant medication, therapy or other behavioral interventions. Some people with ADHD are untreated–either because they’re undiagnosed, or because they choose not to seek treatment.
Signs of Untreated ADHD in Adults and Children
Symptoms of ADHD manifest differently in adults and children, but most likely include:
Difficulty sustaining focus and attention
Hyperactivity and the inability to sit still
Impulsivity–the tendency to act without thinking
Emotional dysregulation - feelings that change quickly or grow more rapidly than expected
Talking excessively
Interrupting during conversations
Trouble staying organized
Forgetfulness
Why Does ADHD Go Untreated?
Some people with untreated ADHD are formally diagnosed, but they choose not to seek treatment. Reasons for choosing not to seek treatment may include lack of financial resources, hesitancy to take medication, or the stigma associated with ADHD diagnosis. Often ADHD itself is a reason people do not follow through on their treatment plans, creating a vicious cycle.
Others simply do not know they have ADHD, and are undiagnosed.
Women are significantly more likely to be undiagnosed as children–as their symptoms can present as more inattentive than hyperactive, causing less disruption in the classroom, work, or relationships.
Research also suggests that women with ADHD develop better coping skills than men with the disorder, effectively masking their symptoms in public settings. Women with ADHD are also more likely to be diagnosed with anxiety or depression–common comorbidities of ADHD.
This means women with ADHD often live well into adulthood without proper treatment.
The Risks of Untreated ADHD in Children
Young children with untreated ADHD may struggle at school, within peer relationships, and at home.
Risks for young children include:
Learning delays: Hyperactivity and difficulty focusing make it difficult for children to pay attention in class, and they may not receive the same quality of education as their neurotypical classmates.
Poor grades: Forgetfulness, inattention and disorganization lead to careless mistakes on homework or forgetting to turn in assignments altogether. This can result in poor grades and low self-esteem for school-aged children with untreated ADHD.
Trouble making friends: Younger children with ADHD may also struggle to share, take turns, read social cues, and control their emotions – causing difficulty making and keeping friends.
Stress at home: When parents don’t know their kids have ADHD, they may respond harshly to their child’s failure to perform or behave in school and their lack of control over emotions.
The Risks of Untreated ADHD in Teens
Older age brings more freedom and responsibility, along with a higher risk of injury, substance abuse, academic, and relationship struggles for teens with ADHD.
Risks for teens with untreated ADHD include:
Injury: Impulsivity may cause teens to take part in more risky behavior leading to injury. Inattentiveness while driving increases the likelihood of getting into a car accident.
Academic struggle: Middle and high-school academic curriculum is more challenging, and teens with ADHD who remain untreated are more likely to struggle to complete homework assignments, pay attention in class and perform on tests.
Substance abuse: Teens may try to self-medicate by using drugs and alcohol to ease the depression and anxiety caused by their untreated ADHD.
Relationship issues: Teens with ADHD may have trouble in the dating world, making wise decisions, and maintaining friendships due to their symptoms. This may result in choosing “interesting” but unstable friends or unplanned pregnancies.
Eating disorders: Teen girls with untreated ADHD are more likely to suffer from eating disorders than their male counterparts.
The Risks of Untreated ADHD in Adults
As people with untreated ADHD reach adulthood, they carry the emotional baggage of decades of struggle with symptoms. It’s not surprising that risks for adults with ADHD become increasingly serious.
Risks of untreated ADHD in adults include:
Divorce: Adults with untreated ADHD are twice as likely to get a divorce than people without ADHD.
Trouble at work: Inattentiveness, disorganization, and forgetfulness can contribute to issues with meeting deadlines and showing up on time for work.
Gambling and substance abuse: Impulsivity, depression and anxiety caused by years of untreated ADHD increase the risk of substance abuse and excessive gambling in adulthood.
Incarceration: Up to 40% of incarcerated adult males meet the criteria for ADHD.
Lower life expectancy: A large-scale Danish study found that adults with ADHD are more than twice as likely to die prematurely than adults without ADHD – the most common cause of early death being accidents.
Treatment Options for ADHD
If you or your loved one is struggling with ADHD, there are plenty of treatment options available. Here’s a quick overview.
Stimulant Medication
One of the most common treatment options for youth and adults with ADHD is stimulant medication.
Stimulant medications like Ritalin (methylphenidate), Adderall (dextroamphetamine), Focalin (dexmethylphenidate), and Vyvance (lisdexamfetamine), can help people with ADHD stay alert and focused.
Stimulant medications are believed to work by increasing levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. A lower dopamine level is believed to be a factor in causing ADHD symptoms.
Side effects of stimulant medications may include: trouble sleeping, loss of appetite, upset stomach, mood swings or irritability, depression or tics. When experiencing frustrating or uncomfortable side effects, please consult with your doctor to evaluate your options to modify the type, dosage, or timing to find the best fit for you.
Non-Stimulant Medication
Non-stimulant medications are sometimes used for the treatment of ADHD.
Strattera (atomoxitine), which works by increasing the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, helps increase attention span and focus.
Wellbutrin (bupropion) and Effexor (venlafaxine) are antidepressants used off-label to treat ADHD. They are believed to increase norepinephrine in the brain, helping with mood and concentration.
There are many other medication options for adults and children with ADHD – and your doctor can help you choose the right one for your unique symptoms.
Other Helpful Interventions For ADHD
Not everyone with ADHD chooses to take medication – and that’s okay! For some, the side effects may be intolerable, or ADHD medication may interact with other important medications.
Fortunately, there are other helpful interventions for ADHD that don’t involve medication.
You can download my free coaching resource, How to Manage ADHD Beyond Medication – and read on to learn about non-pharmaceutical treatments.
Therapy
Therapy facilitated by a licensed psychotherapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist can help people with ADHD understand and manage their symptoms, reducing the negative impact of ADHD on daily life.
What’s great about a therapist is they can help you process the emotional impact of ADHD, and also teach coping skills.
For children, a therapist can work with the whole family to improve the relationship between parents and children, and develop more positive strategies for dealing with behavior.
When looking for a therapist, finding one that specializes in the treatment of ADHD will ensure you’re working with someone with a thorough understanding of the disorder and experience helping people like you.
Supportive Online Communities
Living with ADHD can feel isolating.
It can feel like everyone around you is more organized and generally managing life better – leading to feelings of inferiority, depression, and anxiety.
That’s why it’s so important to surround yourself with others going through the same struggle, so you feel seen, heard and understood.
There are plenty of online and in-person support groups available for people with ADHD.
If you're a mom with adult ADHD, our Motherhood in ADHD Facebook Community is a great place to meet and connect with other moms who share your experiences.
Coaching for ADHD
Some people prefer to work with ADHD coaches to help develop better coping skills, create daily routines, and set and accomplish goals.
As an ADHD coach (and mom with adult ADHD!), I help moms with ADHD create a peaceful and calm home life by mastering time management with ADHD-friendly systems and routines rhythms at home through interactive courses and supportive student community.
When looking for a coach for your ADHD, find a coach that also has Adult ADHD, or is highly experienced with ADHD, so they’re more attuned to your unique needs.
When to Seek Treatment for ADHD
If you’re struggling to manage your ADHD, you’re not alone, and you deserve support.
You should seek treatment for your ADHD when your symptoms start to interfere with your ability to live a peaceful, healthy life.
Your ADHD symptoms don’t just affect you; they also affect everyone around you – including friends, family, and coworkers. It’s important to think about how your ADHD affects every aspect of your life and consider if treatment could be helpful.
How to Manage ADHD Beyond Medication
ADHD medication has been a Godsend for many people.
But medication isn’t a magic wand that makes all your symptoms go away. It will help you in many ways but it doesn't teach you strategies.
It’s important to learn additional life skills and tools to help manage your ADHD, whether you choose to use medication or not.
I’ve created a free resource for people with both treated and untreated ADHD, who want to learn more about the ADHD brain and create life habits that work.
It’s called How to Manage Your ADHD Beyond Medication, and you can dowload it for free today.