ADHD Weekly, January 10, 2019

You knew that treating ADHD symptoms was important but now we understand how important—choosing to treat ADHD can help you or your child to live longer, healthier lives.

Treatment for ADHD, along with the related health risks it poses, has the possibility of adding an average of nine to 13 years to the lifespan of children and adults diagnosed with ADHD. This is the conclusion of a cutting-edge research study conducted by Russell A. Barkley, PhD, who evaluated the connection between ADHD and 14 critical health factors including nutrition, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use.

Dr. Barkley is an internationally recognized authority on ADHD in children and adults who has dedicated his career to widely disseminating science-based information about ADHD.

Dr. Barkley summarized his findings at the 2018 Annual International Conference on ADHD in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was presented with CHADD’s Lifetime Achievement Award. The complete study, Hyperactive Child Syndrome and Estimated Life Expectancy at Young Adult Follow-Up: The Role of ADHD Persistence and Other Potential Predictors, was recently published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.

“Our research shows that ADHD is much more than a neurodevelopmental disorder, it’s a significant public health issue,” says Dr. Barkley. “In evaluating the health consequences of ADHD over time, we found that ADHD adversely affects every aspect of quality of life and longevity. This is due to the inherent deficiencies in self-regulation associated with ADHD that lead to poor self-care and impulsive, high-risk behavior. The findings are sobering, but also encouraging, as ADHD is the most treatable mental health disorder in psychiatry.”

Dr. Barkley and his team utilized data from a longitudinal study in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that followed a group of mostly male patients with ADHD from childhood to adulthood, and analyzed the data using an actuarial-based life expectancy calculator (how much longer the study subjects could be expected to live) developed at the University of Connecticut by the Goldenson Center for Actuarial Research.

“Dr. Barkley’s research confirms what we’ve suspected for some time,” says CHADD Resident Expert L. Eugene Arnold, MD, MEd, professor emeritus of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Nisonger Center Clinical Trials Program of Ohio State University.

CHADD is the nation’s leading resource on ADHD, providing support, training, education, and advocacy for the 17 million children and adults in the United States living with ADHD, their families, educators, and healthcare professionals. Dr. Barkley has been working with CHADD in various capacities for more than 30 years. He is partnering with the organization to identify and carry out various activities based on his research findings.

“If you look at the four biggest health risks in the US—poor diet, insufficient exercise, obesity, and smoking—ADHD presents a greater risk than all four of these concerns combined,” explains Dr. Barkley.

“ADHD is a major health problem that has not been evaluated in that light by policymakers,” adds Dr. Arnold. “It needs to be taken much more seriously.”

To varying degrees, ADHD is a factor in many first-order lifestyle behaviors that result in reduced life expectancy, and Dr. Barkley contends that these behaviors are not likely to improve until the underlying problem—ADHD—is addressed. He says the professional influencers who are most likely to have an impact on healthy lifestyle choices—primary care physicians, pediatricians, cardiologists, and other healthcare professionals—often do not look for ADHD as a potential reason for their patients’ noncompliance with recommended changes.

“Healthcare professionals need to look behind the curtain for ADHD,” says Dr. Barkley. “Patients who struggle to follow their physicians’ advice to manage weight, stop smoking, or reduce sugar intake, among other concerns, should be screened for ADHD and treated accordingly. We need to educate our colleagues about the symptoms of ADHD, the substantial impact this disorder can have, and how to screen for it. The good news is, with accurate diagnosis and the continued use of evidence-based treatments including cognitive therapy, educational support, skills training, and medications, people with ADHD may add years back to their lives. And collectively, we can make a significant impact on some of the biggest health concerns we face as a nation.”

Learn More:

• Free Special Webinar Presentation, on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 1:30 p.m. Health and Life Expectancy in ADHD—Treatment Matters More Than You Think
• Hyperactive Child Syndrome and Estimated Life Expectancy at Young Adult Follow-Up: The Role of ADHD Persistence and Other Potential Predictors (Abstract)
• New Study Highlights Motivation for Healthier Lifestyles
• Tips for Eating Healthy When Coping with ADHD
• Build a Healthy ADHD Lifestyle Today
• Risk of ‘Young People with ADHD at an Increased Vaping’
• New Research Directions on ADHD and Sleep
• ADHD, Eating Disorders, and Weight Issues
• When ADHD is Not Alone
• Adult ADHD and Substance Use Disorders: What’s the Deal?

Join the discussion: Knowing that ADHD treatment can help you take better control of your health, what steps would be most helpful for you to begin making the improvements you want?