Adults diagnosed with ADHD have shorter life expectancy, UK study shows

Men with a diagnosis of ADHD die seven years sooner, on average, than similar people without, while for women the life expectancy gap is almost nine years, the first study of its kind has revealed.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can cause difficulties in concentration and problems with impulsiveness, although people with ADHD do not necessarily experience both. While estimates vary, studies suggest 3-4% of adults worldwide have ADHD.

Now researchers have revealed people diagnosed with the disorder tend to have shorter lives. The new study used primary care data from more than 9 million adults across the UK, from 2000 to 2019, to explore whether ADHD was indeed associated with a shorter life. The results reveal that men with a diagnosis of ADHD had a life expectancy 6.8 years shorter on average than those without, while females with a diagnosis of ADHD had a life expectancy 8.6 years shorter on average than those without.

Read full article.

Source: The Guardian, 23 January 2025