05/27/2025
Having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if left untreated is associated with a shorter life expectancy and a greater risk of mental health disorders according to a new study of more than 30,000 people in the United Kingdom. Life expectancy can be reduced by 4.5 years on the low end to 11 years on the high end. A higher risk of mental health problems includes anxiety, depression, self-harm, su***de, and personality disorders.
Speculation about why people with ADHD can have shorter lives assumes that the hallmarks of ADHD, impulsivity, and difficulty with executive functioning, can result in poor decisions about taking medication, making doctor appointments, smoking, taking risks like driving drunk, and so on.
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