Can Undiagnosed and Untreated ADHD Lead to Fatalities?

I found an article the other day in my local newspaper, which stopped me in my tracks. It was about a 10 month-old child who died after being left alone in a vehicle by her mother. There was no indication that alcohol, drugs, medication or mental illness played a role in the tragic incident. My first thought — could the mother possibly have “inattentive” ADD and not be diagnosed or treated? The mother’s normal routine is to take her child to daycare on the way to work every day. On this particular day she had to go to another city prior to going to work. She took her baby with her to show to friends she used to work with. On her way to work instead of dropping the baby off at daycare as she normally does, she went directly to work without realizing the baby was still in the car. The mother, who doesn’t’ usually pick the child up after work, drove home at the end of her day, still unaware that her baby was in the vehicle. About 4 pm she rushed out to the car and started CPR. The baby was pronounced dead at the hospital. The temperature that day was 80 degrees. On a sunny day the interior of a parked car heats up an average of 40 degrees in one hour, even if it’s relatively cool outside. A few months ago, I heard of the death of two young adults, 17 and 21, who were both killed one night as they were speeding down a local highway attempting to pass a car on the left hand side. These young adults were NOT wearing seat belts. The man they hit was wearing a seat belt and walked away from the accident. No evidence of alcohol consumption here, merely thrill-seeking behavior which led to their death. They had a joint memorial service attended by 700 people. How many tragedies could be short-circuited if assessment and treatment for ADHD were consistently administered at various passages in life. Before entering elementary school, high school, college? Before we began a new job? What if we were on the look out for ADHD? How many lives might be saved? Pauline Laurent, CPCC Certified Professional Co-Active Life Coach Life Coaching for Adults with ADHD www.gutsycoaching.com (707) 578-4226

Comments

[With ADHD]

Oh my, ADHD is really dangerous if left untreated.So sad about the baby left in the car.

[Pauline Laurent]

Undiagnosed, untreated ADHD can lead to fatalities. I know a young man who lost his life due to a fire which he started based on his compulsive behavior. This is a serious, invisible disorder, which should not be taken lightly.
I wonder how many fatal car accidents have undiagnosed, untreated ADD as the source? The untreated ADHD brain is looking for novelty, excitement and a dopamine hit. Speeding will give you that.

[faasd21sa21dke christian louboutin]

*I just wish I knew what to do.