Study Links ADHD Diagnosis to Reduced Life Expectancy in Adults
Adults who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be living shorter lives than they should, finds a world-first study led by UCL researchers.
The research, published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, analysed anonymised primary care data from 30,029 adults across the UK with diagnosed ADHD. They then compared this group with 300,390 participants without ADHD, who were matched by age, sex, and primary care practice. The researchers found an apparent reduction in life expectancy for men with diagnosed ADHD of between 4.5 and 9 years, and between 6.5 and 11 years for women.
The study also found that fewer than one in nine adults with ADHD had been diagnosed – meaning that only a fraction of the total population of adults with ADHD could be studied. However, they note that because ADHD often goes undiagnosed – especially in adults – the new research may over-estimate the reduction in life expectancy experienced by people with ADHD on average.
Senior author, Professor Josh Stott (UCL Psychology & Language Sciences), said: “It is deeply concerning that some adults with diagnosed ADHD are living shorter lives than they should.
“People with ADHD have many strengths and can thrive with the right support and treatment. However, they often lack support and are more likely to experience stressful life events and social exclusion, negatively impacting their health and self-esteem.”
Reference: O’Nions E, El Baou C, John A, et al. Life expectancy and years of life lost for adults with diagnosed ADHD in the UK: matched cohort study. The British Journal of Psychiatry. Published online 2025:1-8. doi:10.1192/bjp.2024.199
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