What Are the Consequences for Delayed Diagnosis of ADHD?

Given that ADHD starts in childhood, any delay in diagnosis would negatively affect a child's upbringing. Children may lag academically and may also have difficulties making friends with other peers and adults, given how intrusive and impulsive they may be. Owing to this, children may suffer from low self-esteem as they struggle with schoolwork and peer relationships. They may also have more accidents and injuries if they run and climb around all the time.   

ADHD is known to co-exist with other conditions, including oppositional defiant disorder, specific learning disability, autism spectrum disorder, mood and anxiety problems, and increased risk of alcohol and drug abuse.^[1] Prompt treatment should therefore be given and administered as soon as possible.

If you’re worried that your child shows symptoms of ADHD, click here for a quick assessment!

[1] Franke, B., Michelini, G., Asherson, P., Banaschewski, T., Bilbow, A., Buitelaar, J. K., Cormand, B., Faraone, S. V., Ginsberg, Y., Haavik, J., Kuntsi, J., Larsson, H., Lesch, K. P., Ramos-Quiroga, J. A., Réthelyi, J. M., Ribases, M., & Reif, A. (2018). Live fast, die young? A review on the developmental trajectories of ADHD across the lifespan. European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 28(10), 1059–1088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2018.08.001