Introduction
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, commonly known as ADHD, is not just a condition affecting focus and impulsivity; it significantly influences an individual’s overall well-being. Untreated ADHD in adults can present unique challenges, impacting various aspects of life and health. In this article, we will delve into the various facets of unmanaged ADHD and its profound effects on physical health.
Understanding ADHD: A Brief Overview
ADHD is a neurological condition that affects a person’s ability to focus, control impulsive behaviours, and regulate energy levels. The condition might make a person feel restless, make it difficult to concentrate, and lead to impulsive decision-making. Many individuals continue to struggle with ADHD into adulthood and have often fallen through the net and missed early diagnosis. This means that more and more adults are becoming aware of the condition, its symptoms and finding diagnosis and treatment later in life.
If you feel you might be ADHD you can look at our resources page and find reputable on-line tests that will give clear indication. Its never too late to learn about why you tick the way you tick, in doing so you can then focus on building effective strategies to keep you mentally and physically healthy, ensure you are communicating well, and developing healthy relationships with those you love, food, alcohol and recreational drugs.
Undiagnosed adults can often find challenges through self-medication of symptoms, they can beat themselves up and feel as though they are flawed in some way. Diagnosis allows the advent of symptom management rather than self-deprecation and an undermining of one’s self-esteem and confidence. You move away from being someone with perceived flaws and towards someone with effective life strategies.
The Risks of Untreated ADHD
Understanding the impacts of ADHD on the pleasure centres of the brain is crucial in comprehending the full scope of this condition, and the risk driven by manifesting behaviours from thought patterns and brain structures. In individuals with ADHD, the pleasure centres, primarily governed by neurotransmitters like dopamine, operate differently. Dopamine, often referred to as the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, plays a central role in regulating emotions, pleasure, and motivation. In individuals with ADHD, the brain’s reward system, which includes these pleasure centres, can be dysregulated. This dysregulation can lead to challenges in experiencing pleasure from everyday activities, making it harder for individuals to stay engaged and motivated.
A reduction in pleasure centre activities that lead to the feel good hormones can often mean that behaviours for someone with ADHD can emerge in order to spike dopamine. These behaviours can be experienced as extreme, impulsive and selfish.
Many of the risks listed below can occur for multiple reasons. ADHD does not cause any of the below, however, if un-managed, and as a result of the symptoms above, can result in behaviours that turn these risks into a reality. The risks are greater for a person with ADHD because of the thought patterns and structures in the brain, these thought patterns lead to behaviours, these behaviours increase the chances of the risks listed below becoming a reality.
Not everyone who is experiencing any or all the below will be ADHD, but we would be inclined to check and explore further.
- Mental Health Struggles:
ADHD doesn’t merely stay confined to attention issues; it often leads to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. These mental health challenges can significantly impact the overall quality of life. The mental health challenges are often stronger in un-diagnosed adults, or those experiencing un-managed symptoms. Before Dom’s own diagnosis he had been diagnosed as depressed and medicated, then bi-polar and medicated. He had received counselling for anger issues. For low self-esteem and suicidal thoughts. Because at the time the general belief that ADHD is a child developmental disorder and doesn’t exist in adults, no one looked beyond the manifesting symptom for the deeper routed cause.
ADHD is a recognised, common and dangerous adult condition, and for many adults is undiagnosed.
- Relationship Strain:
Difficulties in focusing and impulsive behaviour can strain relationships, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. This social strain further exacerbates stress levels. There may be some relationships where it is possible to mask some of the symptoms, but it’s important to realise that every relationship is eventually impacted by un-managed ADHD, home, work and social. Long term masking can lead to a form of self-sabotage, and unconsciously motivated relational destruction when it becomes too exhausting to mask. This can end marriages, friendships and careers and it often happens because of masking. Masking occurs because we have been taught, or developed beliefs that the symptoms are flaws in our abilities or characters. That how we behave is ‘bad’ or wrong and unacceptable in some way, maybe we’ve been told it’s not normal. As a result of this conditioning over many years, we sub-consciously start to hide who we are. When we perceive a risk of being ‘caught out’ our brain looks to protect us and seeks to disengage us from those relationships. This is sabotage, and in many cases is motivated unconsciously by our conditioning. What was and is a healthy and happy relationship can quickly spiral into something else, something neither party wants or understands.
- Occupational Challenges:
In the workplace, unmanaged ADHD can lead to decreased productivity, difficulty meeting deadlines, and impaired organisational skills. This can hinder professional growth and job satisfaction. The results caused by un-managed ADHD symptoms can lead to the organisation treating the individuals as flawed in some way. The conversations are about performance or attitude challenges, rather than symptom management through reasonable adjustments or contextual environmental management of triggers.
Many ADHD professionals thrive in the right environment, are very skilled, well rewarded and deliver high standards for their professions. Many do not, and often because they are not managing the symptoms, or haven’t yet been diagnosed and don’t know how to asks for the support or what support to ask for.
Amongst all the neurodiversity’s ADHD is the most underdiagnosed, misunderstood and mistreated condition in adults today.
- Substance Abuse:
Adults with ADHD are at a higher risk of substance abuse problems. Individuals might turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the challenges posed by ADHD. Our founder and CEO, Dom, talks openly about how he used to use alcohol to ‘switch off’ at the end of each day. It would go from a couple of beers to a couple of beers and a bottle of wine, and eventually up to a couple of bottles of wine after a pack of 4 beers, and maybe a whiskey before bed. He talks about the slippery slope and how once you realise that the brain chatter stops, you can become reliant on the habit. Drinking can start earlier in the day, increase in frequency, volume, or strength. As a young man Dom found drinking to be a comfort, it was a way he could break down his barriers and engage in conversation, be comfortable in busy and noisy places and soon enough his life grew with alcohol being a staple and enabling factor. He is open and happy to talk more about his experiences and how he created change through self-knowledge and symptom management strategies, if you would like a conversation, complete the form in our contact us page.
- Physical Health Complications:
Unmanaged ADHD often leads to poor lifestyle choices (see above). Lack of focus can result in erratic eating habits, lack of exercise, and disrupted sleep patterns. Over time, this can lead to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues. The link, as with alcohol or substance abuse is indirect. The symptoms cause a behaviour that develops the physical health conditions. Therefore with effective symptom management planning the bahaviours change and the resulting impacts diminish or simply fail to occur.
The Impact of Unmanaged ADHD on Lifespan
One of the gravest concerns regarding unmanaged ADHD is its potential impact on lifespan. Studies suggest that adults with ADHD have a higher mortality rate than the general population. The reasons are manifold – higher rates of accidents due to impulsivity, increased likelihood of engaging in risky behaviours, and the aforementioned risks like substance abuse and poor lifestyle choices. It is thought that unmanaged ADHD commonly shortens the life by 10 years. When looking at the list of risks you can be forgiven for thinking that the deaths are resultant of a singular act, poor decision or risky behaviour, however, the biggest killers for our society are stress related. Stress and anxiety are heightened for those with ADHD, the experience can be more extreme, last longer and be much more frequent than for a neurotypical brain. Stress and anxiety visits the ADHD mind with no intention, no trigger or reason, it just shows up. Because it can’t be easily explained or rationalised one with ADHD will often suffer in silence, not share what’s going on inside and return to masking when possible. The impacts of prolonged stress on one’s health are well documented, the resultant impact on longevity and mortality rates is well researched; Chronic stress has been linked to several serious health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders, all of which can contribute to an increased risk of mortality.
A study published in the Journal of Aging and Health found that prolonged stress can indeed increase the risk of mortality, especially among older adults. The study highlighted those individuals experiencing chronic stress had a 20% higher risk of death compared to those who reported lower stress levels.
Whilst pinpointing an exact number for mortality rates is challenging due to various contributing factors, research indicates that unmanaged ADHD could potentially shorten life expectancy by several years. A comprehensive study published in the Journal of Attention Disorders suggested that adults with ADHD have a significantly higher mortality rate, especially among women. The study linked this to accidents, suicides, and substance abuse issues often associated with unmanaged ADHD. The our thoughts on the reasons for all of this are discussed earlier in this article so we remind you that these early deaths are not caused by ADHD, they are caused by the choices made as a result of the unmanaged symptoms of ADHD.
Conclusion
Seeking Support and Management
The effects of unmanaged ADHD on physical health are alarming, emphasising the critical need for diagnosis, support, and management. By acknowledging ADHD and adopting coping strategies, individuals can significantly improve their quality of life, enhance overall health, and potentially extend their lifespan though symptom management.
If you or someone you know is struggling with any of the signs and symptoms discussed above or ADHD, seeking professional help and adopting a holistic approach to management can make a substantial difference. Remember, understanding and managing ADHD is not just about enhancing focus; it’s about embracing a healthier, more fulfilling life.
You will find a contact us page on our website, we are here to listen, understand and provide support. Find us here Innate Change
Further Reading:
For more in-depth information about ADHD and its management, consider exploring the following resources:
Book Recommendation: “Driven to Distraction: Recognising and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder” by Edward M. Hallowell and John J. Ratey
Remember, seeking knowledge and support is the first step toward managing ADHD effectively. Stay informed, stay healthy!
