Attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) may shorten a patient’s life expectancy by about 13 years. This revelation comes from a new study by Russell Barkley, Ph.D., published in the Journal of Attention Disorders.The good news?
Most of the ADHD-related factors impacting life expectancy — impulsivity, risky behavior, and inattention, to name a few — are changeable.
Behavioral programs designed to improve overall health will improve life expectancy as well, but only if ADHD symptoms are under control first, Barkley says.
And that requires more accurate diagnosis and more thoughtful treatment.Because ADHD causes underlying problems with inhibition, self-regulation, and conscientiousness, leaving the condition untreated or insufficiently treated will cause most patients to fail in their efforts to live healthier lives.