Adults with ADHD may be dying up to 11 years younger

Adults with ADHD might 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 into treatments.

- RACHEL CLUN

Chief executive of ADHD UK Henry Shelford, who was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) as an adult, said the report should be seen as an urgent call to action from the NHS and government. “Change is needed and without it lives are being devastated,” he said.

The new research found that those with ADHD could die between four and a half and nine years earlier for men, and between six and a half and 11 years earlier for women, and noted there was “a dearth of specialist services to support adults with ADHD in the UK”.

Josh Scott, professor of psychology and language sciences at UCL and senior author of the study, said people with ADHD could thrive with the right support and treatment, but that was often lacking. “It is deeply concerning that some adults with diagnosed ADHD are living shorter lives than they should,” he said.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates three to four per cent of adults in the UK have ADHD, or about 2.6 million people.