'Deeply concerning' that people with ADHD live shorter lives than those who do not have condition

The study also showed fewer than one in nine adults with ADHD had been diagnosed.

People with ADHD may live shorter lives than expected as a “deeply concerning” study has found men may live up to nine years less and women 11 years less than someone without ADHD.

The researchers analysed primary care data from 30,029 adults across the UK who were all diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) already. 

They were then compared with over 300,000 study participants who did not have ADHD. They were matched by matched by age, sex, and primary care practice.

Professor Josh Stott, senior author and lecturer at University College London Psychology & Language Sciences, warned: “It is deeply concerning that some adults with diagnosed ADHD are living shorter lives than they should.” 

He suggested various factors may lie behind this.

“People with ADHD have many strengths and can thrive with the right support and treatment,” he said.

However, they often lack support and are more likely to experience stressful life events and social exclusion, negatively impacting their health and self-esteem.

The team found an apparent reduction in life expectancy for men with diagnosed ADHD of between 4.5 and nine years, and between 6.5 and 11 years for women.

However the study also showed fewer than one in nine adults with ADHD had been diagnosed.

“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,” Prof Stott said.

However, the team cautioned because ADHD often goes undiagnosed in adults “the new research may over-estimate the reduction in life expectancy experienced by people with ADHD on average". 

Dr Liz O’Nions, UCL Psychology & Language Sciences and Bradford Institute for Health Research and lead author, said their study “covers just a segment of the entire community” due to under-diagnosis.

“More of those who are diagnosed may have additional health problems compared to the average person with ADHD. Therefore, our research may over-estimate the life expectancy gap for people with ADHD overall,” she 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 study 'Life expectancy and years of life lost for adults with diagnosed ADHD in the UK: matched cohort study' can be read in the British Journal of Psychiatry.