When Adult ADHD Goes Undiagnosed and Untreated

If you think you might have adult ADHD, you’re not alone. Experts estimate that 10 million U.S. adults have it. While many children with ADHD get a diagnosis and proper treatment, many grow into adulthood without knowing they suffer from this condition.

Untreated ADHD can impact virtually every part of your life. It can affect your mental health, work functioning, and your personal relationships. If you suspect you have ADHD, you might suffer from low self-esteem, feel misunderstood, or worry that you haven’t achieved your full potential.

Fortunately, it’s never too late for adults with ADHD to get help and live full, productive lives. At Thriving Mind Psychology in Midtown Manhattan, New York, the team of skilled professionals can diagnose your ADHD and help develop a treatment plan to help you get back on track.

Signs of Adult ADHD 

Adult and child ADHD sufferers often have similar symptoms, but they can develop them in different ways. Without the structure of a classroom environment, it can be difficult to uncover the signs in adults. Common symptoms of ADHD in adults include: 

Daydreaming 

If you suffer from ADHD, you might often “zone out” or find yourself daydreaming. During these daydreaming episodes, you may construct elaborate stories and settings in which your daydreams play out. You might even hyper-focus on your imaginary scenario and lose track of time. 

Disorganization 

You might put off tasks as long as possible, even if it brings about negative consequences. Even if you’re aware of this tendency, it can be hard for you to focus on something long enough to get your work done. Feeling disorganized also manifests in misplacing things and having a messy workspace.

Emotional Difficulties 

Rejection-sensitive dysphoria leads sufferers to fear criticism and feel hurt and depressed by it, often viewing it as rejection. ADHD can make you feel embarrassed and anxious in your relationships, especially with people who don’t display the same passion for things that are important to you. 

Hyperactivity

While children with ADHD often display their hyperactive behavior, adult sufferers tend to suppress it. You may stay up late, become restless, feel bored a lot of the time, and jump between tasks without finishing any of them. Hyperactivity reflects a need for stimulation that might compel you to act impulsively and take unnecessary risks.

Trouble Concentrating 

Hyperfocus and lack of focus are the two hallmark symptoms of ADHD. You might find it difficult to resist distractions that prevent you from settling down and focusing on work or studying. When you finally focus on a task or stimulus, you might fall into the trap of forgetting everything else and neglecting other tasks or your personal needs. 

Complications of Untreated Adult ADHD

Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can have long-lasting effects, even if you’re not aware of what’s causing them. You might feel like you can’t get control of your life or view yourself as lazy or irresponsible, eventually developing a negative self-image. Even if you did well in school, you might feel like you’ve wasted their potential or have become a failure.

The truth is that you aren’t a failure. It might be ADHD, and you can a diagnosis and treatment. Call the Manhattan office or go online to make an appointment today.