(NewsNation) — A shorter life expectancy and greater likelihood of suffering from mental health disorders are linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study published Thursday.
The research, conducted in the United Kingdom, revealed a 4.5-9-year decrease in life expectancy in males and a 6.5-11-year reduction in females.
Researchers analyzed data from more than 30,000 people diagnosed with ADHD, comparing it to the more than 300,000 participants without ADHD.
“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,” said Dr. Liz O’Nions, the lead author of the study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry.
ADHD, a developmental disorder, affects one’s capacity to focus, regulate emotion and control behavior. The degrees to which people are affected vary.
“More of those who are diagnosed may have additional health problems compared to the average person with ADHD,” O’Nions said in a news release. “Therefore, our research may over-estimate the life expectancy gap for people with ADHD overall, though more community-based research is needed to test whether this is the case.”
A common sign of ADHD in children is hyperactivity and an inability to routinely focus. Genetics, premature birth, parental mental health and family environment can contribute to ADHD, per the CDC.
In 2023, more than 15 million American adults had an ADHD diagnosis, according to the CDC.
