ADHD linked to shorter life expectancy, study finds

Get inspired by a weekly roundup on living well, made simple. CNN — Having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is associated with a shorter life expectancy and a greater risk of mental health issues, according to a new study of more than 30,000 people with the disorder in the United Kingdom. “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 lead study author Dr. Liz O’Nions, honorary research fellow in clinical, education and health psychology at University College London, in a news release. Why ADHD could affect one’s life expectancy The study is “striking” but is based on observational data that inevitably leaves many important questions unanswered since a cause-and-effect relationship can’t be entirely established, Dr. Kevin McConway, emeritus professor of applied statistics at the Open University in England, said in a news release. However, “things like differences in smoking, alcohol use, and several health conditions are likely to be consequences of the ADHD, to a large extent,” McConway said — meaning those vices and conditions could explain how ADHD could affect death rates or lead to shorter life expectancies.