Research Shows Untreated ADHD Reduces Life Expectancy

conducted by shows that treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is likely to add an average of 9 to 13 years to the lifespan of both adults and children diagnosed with ADHD. This was found by evaluating the connection between ADHD and 14 other critical health factors that included nutrition, exercise, tobacco and alcohol use.

“Our research shows that ADHD is much more than a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s a significant public health issue,” says Dr. Barkley. Dr. Barkley summarized his findings in his keynote address at the 2018 Annual International Conference on ADHD in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is the leading resource on ADHD which provides support, training, education, and advocacy for the 17 million people in the United States living with ADHD, along with their families, educators, and healthcare professionals. CHADD Resident Expert L. Eugene Arnold, MD, M.Ed., Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Nisonger Center Clinical Trials Program, Ohio State University said, “Dr. Barkley’s research confirms what we’ve suspected for some time. ADHD is a major health problem that has not been evaluated in that light by policymakers.”

Dr. Barkely’s team followed a group of mostly male patients with ADHD from childhood to adulthood, analyzing the data by using an actuarial-based life expectancy calculator from the University of Connecticut by the Goldenson Center for Actuarial Research. Explaining the findings further Dr. Barkely said, “In evaluating the health consequences of ADHD over time, we found that ADHD adversely affects every aspect of quality of life and longevity. This is due to the inherent deficiencies in self-regulation associated with ADHD that lead to poor self-care and impulsive, high-risk behavior. The findings are sobering, but also encouraging, as ADHD is the most treatable mental health disorder in psychiatry.”

ADHD is a factor in many lifestyle behaviors that result in reduced life expectancy, and Dr. Barkely believes that because professional influences, like primary care physicians, pediatricians, and cardiologists, are not looking at a patient’s noncompliance with their recommended changes as a sign of ADHD. “Patients who struggle to follow their physicians’ advice to manage weight, stop smoking, or reduce sugar intake, among other concerns, should be screened for ADHD and treated accordingly. We need to educate our colleagues about the symptoms of ADHD, the substantial impact this disorder can have, and how to screen for it,” Dr. Barkley added.

Based off of these findings ADHD presents a potentially greater risk than major health risks in the US, like obesity and smoking, due to ADHD being an underlying problem. Now, Dr. Barkley will continue his 30-year relationship with CHADD by looking to partner with the organization and look to initiate various treatment and awareness initiatives stemming from his recent research findings.

The complete study, Hyperactive Child Syndrome and Estimated Life Expectancy at Young Adult Follow-Up: The Role of ADHD Persistence and Other Potential Predictors, was recently published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.