Adults with ADHD may die up to 11 years younger, new research finds

Adults with ADHD may die up to 11 years earlier than those without the disorder, a first-of-its-kind study has found, as experts call for more investment in treatment.

ADHD UK chief executive Henry Shelford, who was diagnosed with ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] As an adult, this report should be seen as an urgent call to action from the NHS and government.

He said: “Change is necessary and without life it will be destroyed.”

New research has shown that people with ADHD can die 4.5 to 9 years earlier for men and 6.5 to 11 years earlier for women, and notes: “There is a lack of specialist services to support adults with ADHD in There is “England”.

Josh Scott, professor of psychology and language sciences at UCL and lead author, said: “People with ADHD can thrive with the right support and treatment, but this was often lacking.

“It is deeply concerning that some adults diagnosed with ADHD are living shorter lives than they should,” he said.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates that 3-4% of adults in the UK have ADHD, or around 2.6 million people.

Adults in the UK wait years for a diagnosis (Getty Images)

People with this disorder can often focus intensely on things that interest them but may struggle to focus on mundane tasks. This condition can lead to overstimulation, restlessness, and differences in time management, which can make work and school a struggle.

Research, published in British Journal of Psychiatry, reviewed anonymised primary care data from 30,029 adults across England with diagnosed ADHD and compared them with 300,390 adults without ADHD.

Experts said ADHD in adults in the UK is under-treated compared to other high-income countries, with the report showing that fewer than one in nine adults have been diagnosed with ADHD.

Mr Shelford said he had to wait three years to be seen on the NHS, but waiting times across the country were appalling – last year some patients were told they were waiting 10 years for a diagnosis.

“My experience with ADHD has been very difficult,” he said. “This research shows how we really directly bear the costs of that carelessness.”

Mr Shelford said people with ADHD were bearing the cost of investing in care (Produced by/Henry Shelford)

Lead author of the report, Dr Liz Anyons, from UCL Psychology and Language Sciences and the Bradford Institute for Health Research, pointed out that only a small percentage of adults are diagnosed with the condition, which means the research may close the gap. Overestimate life for people with ADHD. Man

Dr. Ornions said: “Although many people with ADHD live long and healthy lives, the fact that we live shorter lives on average than they should indicate that support needs are met.”

“It is very important to find the causes of premature deaths so that we can develop strategies to prevent them in the future.”

Oliver Howes, professor of molecular psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, said the study adds to much other evidence that other people with mental illness die earlier than people without mental illness.

“These findings show the need for much more investment in mental health services so people can get the help they need,” he said.

Philip Asherson, professor of molecular psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, said that while the primary causes of death were not confirmed in the study, ADHD was associated with higher rates of smoking, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Other health problems.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Lord Darzey’s report has highlighted just how severe delays have become in our broken NHS for people waiting to be diagnosed with ADHD. Through the Change Programme, this Government will put the NHS back on its feet. return and control the waiting lists.

“The NHS England ADHD Taskforce also brings together expertise from the NHS, the education sector and the justice system to better understand the challenges affecting people with ADHD, including timely access to services and support.”