New research suggests people with ADHD have a shorter life expectancy

We need better access to support

Many people with ADHD face barriers to receiving adequate support or treatment. New research suggests this could have fatal consequences.

According to Body+Soul’s Health of the Nation report, approximately 1 in 20 adults in Australia have Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

New research suggests they may have a shorter life expectancy than neurotypical people.

Published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, the study involved analysis of anonymous primary care data from over 30,000 adults in the UK with diagnosed ADHD. The research team from University College London compared this data with that of more than 300,000 people who had been matched by age, sex and primary care practice, but who didn’t have diagnosed ADHD.

The researchers concerningly found that the male participants with diagnosed ADHD had an ‘apparent reduction in life expectancy’ of between 4.5 and 9 years, while female participants had a reduction of between 6.5 and 11 years. 

ADHD comorbidities and risks

People with ADHD can face additional difficulties throughout their life due to the disorder.

Impulsivity, restlessness and different organisational approaches can result in challenges in succeeding at school or work.

Several conditions tend to co-occur with ADHD, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, eating disorders, mood disorders and sleep problems. It’s estimated that half of people with ADHD also experience an additional condition.

Substance use disorder is also a concern, with Rehabs UK saying ‘adults with ADHD are almost three times more likely to have substance abuse disorder than adults without ADHD’.

On top of this, as per the Australiasian ADHD Professional Association, ‘ADHD rates are higher in custodial settings than in the general population, estimated to be five times higher among youth prisoners and ten times higher among adult prisoners’. 

And ‘among people in prison, ADHD is often complicated by substance misuse and co-occurring mental health disorders, including trauma histories’.

Several conditions tend to co-occur with ADHD, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, autism, eating disorders, mood disorders and sleep problems. It’s estimated that half of people with ADHD also experience an additional condition. Image: Getty

Barriers to support

So clearly, additional support is necessary. 

But many people living with ADHD aren’t able to access adequate support. 

Psychiatrist and medical director at The Banyans Healthcare, Dr Sampath Arvapalli believes that ‘with the lives lost among younger people due to substance misuse and suicide, treating ADHD is crucial for not only accelerating recovery, but also facilitating long-time stability in individuals who experience comorbidities such as depression and substance use disorder (SUD).’

He tells Body+Soul “While holistic treatment is recommended for ADHD, as like in any other health condition, stimulant medications have been shown to be up to 90% effective when treating ADHD.”

However “as these are highly regulated drugs by state and territory laws, there is a lot of red tape leading to limitations around accessing this treatment. Currently, it is recommended that the treatment is only initiated by a specialist after a diagnosis is made by a comprehensive assessment.”

Unfortunately in Australia, there are long wait times for costly psychiatrist appointments to even receive an ADHD diagnosis, leaving many people without access to sufficient support or treatment. 

He tells Body+Soul  “While holistic treatment is recommended for ADHD, as like in any other health condition, stimulant medications have been shown to be up to 90% effective when treating ADHD.”

Arvapalli says “there are non-stimulant treatment options available for those who are not suitable for treatment with stimulants, with efficacy rates up to 60%.” These include “cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), ADHD coaching, dietary changes to enhance the nutritional status and exercise. Attending ADHD workshops can help with psychoeducation and stress management, as well provide an opportunity to learn from others’ experiences through professional oversight.”

Lead author of the study, Dr Liz O’Nions did note that “only a small percentage of adults with ADHD have been diagnosed, meaning this study covers just a segment of the entire community. More of those who are diagnosed may have additional health problems compared to the average person with ADHD. Therefore, our research may overestimate the life expectancy gap for people with ADHD overall, though more community-based research is needed to test whether this is the case.”

She believes “it is crucial that we find out the reasons behind premature deaths so we can develop strategies to prevent these in future.”

In an emergency please call 000

If you or someone you know needs help, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the 24- hour Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467.

Mental health professionals are available 24/7 at the beyondblue Support Service – 1300 22 46 36 or via beyondblue.org.au/get-support for online chat (3pm-12am AEST) or email response.

Originally published as New research suggests people with ADHD have a shorter life expectancy