Photo credit: Cambridge University
Having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with a shorter life expectancy and a greater risk of mental health issues, according to a new study of more than 30,000 people with the disorder in the United Kingdom.
CNN reports that men diagnosed with te disorder had a reduction in life expectancy by 41/2 years to nine years, while women’s life expectancy was shortened by 61/2 years to 11 years according to the study published on Thursday by The British Journal of Psychology.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that’s commonly diagnosed in childhood but often lasts into adulthood. People with ADHD have imbalanced neurotransmitters, one of which is dopamine. It’s a key neurotransmitter in the brain’s prefrontal cortex required to help us with executive function and self-regulation skills, which involve planning, focusing and sustaining attention, remembering instructions, and multitasking.
People with ADHD may feel restless or have trouble concentrating, staying organized, managing their time or prioritizing, hyperfocusing or controlling their impulses. These symptoms can affect all areas of life.
At least 3% to 4% of adults in the UK have ADHD, with the prevalence in children estimated to be at least 4%. But many more people may go undiagnosed, which could mean the life expectancy gap the study authors found could be overestimated, they said.
The new findings affirm those of recent research, such as a 2022 study that found greater premature death risk among people with ADHD or autism in both the United States and Europe. However, to the authors’ knowledge, the current study is the first to use mortality data to employ the life-table method: a statistical technique for analyzing death rates and the probabilities of survival or death at different age intervals.
the research team reviewed primary care data from 30,029 adults with ADHD and compared them with nearly 300,400 participants who didn’t have ADHD but were matched by age, sex and primary care practice.
Besides the differences in life expectancy, the analysis also revealed ADHD to be linked with a higher risk of mental health issues – such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicide and personality disorders. Autism, intellectual disabilities, harmful habits such as smoking or “potentially harmful alcohol use,” and physical health problems including diabetes or high cholesterol were more common in this group as well.
People with ADHD “have many strengths and can thrive with the right support and treatment,” said senior author Dr John Stott, professor of aging and clinical psychology at University College London.
Experts on the topic have said that addressing the issue of premature mortality among people with ADHD starts with healthcare providers who should routinely collect details on behavioural and medical conditions and health outcomes related to the disorder. Doing so can help providers and patients address risk factors and prevent delays in treatment.
Some organizations have resources for how people with ADHD can increase their likelihood of engaging in tasks, habits or activities that can help improve their quality of life and life expectancy, including exercise proper nutrition, dental care and sleep hygiene.
Mental health professionals specializing in ADHD can help patients develop coping skills for any symptoms that may lead to distress or other outcomes that negatively affect their lives.
They can also discuss whether ADHD medications would be useful. A study of nearly 160,000 Swedish people with ADHD, published in March 2024, found medication use was associated with a 19% decrease in mortality risk within years post-diagnosis.
