ADHD: People Face 70% Higher Risk of Early Death; Medication Seems to Help

ADHD and health risks

ADHD involves symptoms such as restlessness, impulsiveness and difficulty focusing. Symptoms may begin in childhood, but some people receive a diagnosis only as adults, while others are never diagnosed.

Research has linked ADHD with other health challenges, including poor sleep and substance use problems. People with ADHD may also experience stressful events such as prolonged unemployment. A study last year linked diagnosed ADHD to life expectancy reductions of 6.78 years for men and 8.64 years for women.

What the review found

Researchers from the University of Liverpool and other institutions analyzed 19 studies involving more than 15 million people, with and without ADHD. The studies tracked health outcomes, including deaths, and some followed participants for more than 20 years.

ADHD was associated with a 70% higher rate of death from any cause. The rates were 90% higher for suicide, 55% higher for injuries and 27% higher for natural causes.

Medication evidence remains limited

People with ADHD who took medication had a 25% lower risk of dying during the study period than those who did not take medication. The authors note that evidence on medication’s overall effect has been mixed, including concerns raised in some research about long-term cardiovascular risks.

Treatment and ongoing questions

Lead author Lucy Corrigan, a psychologist at Liverpool, said the findings offer early evidence that medication may help support the health of people with ADHD, but stressed that more research is needed. Corrigan also said medication is only one part of care, and that many people benefit from long-term treatment and support.

The authors called for better access to diagnosis and treatment throughout life. Debate continues over how common ADHD is: diagnosed rates vary widely between countries, and researchers disagree about whether social and cultural factors contribute to overdiagnosis.