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Adults with ADHD ‘die up to a decade earlier’

Adults with ADHD ‘die up to a decade earlier’

Adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder tend to die nearly a decade younger than those without the condition, research shows.

A study by University College London compared the life expectancy of 30,000 people with ADHD to 300,000 without it, matched for age and sex. They found a reduction in life expectancy for men with diagnosed ADHD of between 4.5 and 9 years, and between 6.5 and 11 years for women.

This is probably because people with the condition may find it harder to succeed at work and school and struggle with other mental health problems, affecting their long-term health. Delays in diagnosis and a lack of services also mean many go without treatment and support.

The research, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, is the first of its kind and was based on analysis of GP records from adults across the UK.

Professor Josh Stott, the senior author, said: “It is deeply concerning that some adults with diagnosed ADHD are living shorter lives than they should. People with ADHD have many strengths and can thrive with the right support and treatment. However, they often lack support and are more likely to experience stressful life events and social exclusion, negatively impacting their health and self-esteem.”

People with ADHD experience differences in the way they focus their attention. They often have high energy and an ability to focus intensely on what interests them. However, they may find it difficult to focus on mundane tasks. This can lead to more impulsiveness, restlessness and differences in planning and time management, leading to longer-term challenges.

Estimates from ADHD UK suggest 2.6 million people in the UK have the condition, including more than 700,000 children. Diagnoses of ADHD have boomed since the pandemic, with NHS clinics struggling to keep up with a surge in demand. The number of NHS patients prescribed ADHD medication has doubled in six years to 278,000, about half of them children and teenagers.

Methylphenidate 36 mg ADHD medication box from Stada Arzneimittel AG.

Methylphenidate can be prescribed to treat ADHD

ALAMY

The study found that fewer than one in nine adults with ADHD had been diagnosed — meaning that only a fraction of the total population of adults with ADHD could be studied.

Stott added: “We know from studies of traits in the community and from studies of childhood diagnosis that the rate of ADHD in our sample is just a fraction of what it should be.”

This is the first time that researchers have estimated the life expectancy of UK adults diagnosed with ADHD.

Dr Liz O’Nions, the lead author, said: “Although many people with ADHD live long and healthy lives, our finding that on average they are living shorter lives than they should indicates unmet support needs. It is crucial that we find out the reasons behind premature deaths so we can develop strategies to prevent these in future.”

The authors said that because ADHD often went undiagnosed, especially in adults, the new research might over-estimate the reduction in life expectancy experienced by people with ADHD on average.

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