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July 20, 2026
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ADHD Can Affect Lifespan
A recent British Study linked ADHD with a shortened lifespan compared to those without the diagnosis—and the differences are significant: nearly 7 years shorter for men with ADHD and 9 years shorter for women with the diagnosis.
While many people are dismissive of ADHD as a mundane condition that primarily affects school-age children, the number of people in the U.S who have been diagnosed with ADHD is substantial. According to an article in The Atlantic, titled ADHD’s Sobering Life Expectancy Numbers, “As of 2022, about 7 million American children ages 3 to 17 had at one point received an ADHD diagnosis—I million more than that same age group in 2016. And although ADHD may bring to mind kids bouncing off the walls, the number of adults with the condition has surged in recent years.” A 2023 CDC study found that 15.5 million U.S. adults had an ADHD diagnosis, half of whom were diagnosed as adults.
Writing in The Atlantic about the results of the British study that examined life expectancy data for 30,000 adults, Jasmine Tayag points out that no one dies from ADHD directly.
Symptoms such as concentration issues, emotional instability, memory issues, and impulsivity can touch nearly every aspect of life. Researchers have long known that people with ADHD are more likely to engage in risky behaviors, including substance abuse, unsafe sex, gambling, criminal acts, and dangerous driving. They are at a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide. Difficulties keeping up with healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating well and exercising, lead to higher rates of obesity. All of these risks can chip away at a person’s life.
In addition to that laundry list, Tayag’s research identified less conspicuous, but no less impactful life-threatening aspects of ADHD such as missing doctors’ appointments, forgetting to take medications, and struggles navigating the health-care system.
Families Beware
This study is a red flag for anyone with ADHD in their family. Being aware of the risks allows you to adjust your lifestyle accordingly. David Goodman, an ADHD expert at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reminds us that by managing ADHD, “a lot of this would disappear.”