Common mental disorder could shorten your life, study finds

A common mental health issue could take years off your life, new research has revealed.

Researchers from University College London analyzed the health data of 30,029 U.K. adults with ADHD, then compared it to 300,390 non-ADHD participants, a press release noted.

While the researchers did not look at potential causes for the shortened lifespan, they shared some theories.

Another factor may be that society is not set up for people who have different ways of processing information (neurodivergent as opposed to neurotypical), Stott noted. 

The main limitation of the study, according to Stott, is that the researchers could only look at diagnosed rather than undiagnosed people with ADHD, and also that they did not look directly at causes of death. 

"It's the first study to use direct mortality data rather than predictive models based on self-reported information," he told Fox News Digital.

Ramtekkar noted that there is a "significant underdiagnosis" of ADHD in adults, with only about one in nine cases identified. 

"This means we're seeing just the tip of the iceberg, and many people aren't getting the help they need," he said. 

The study also shows that co-occurring conditions with ADHD are "not an exception, but a norm."

"This indicates that premature death is not caused by ADHD itself, but rather by the effects of untreated symptoms that are potentially preventable."

"Doing this could provide an environment where people with ADHD are better able to access support," he told Fox News Digital. "Research is needed to investigate barriers to care experienced by adults with ADHD and how we might adapt care."

Stott also said it's important to look beyond healthcare, as lifespan is affected by socioeconomic factors like employment and schooling.

"We need to think about how we develop schools and employment that are ADHD-affirmative," he advised. 

"This will not only benefit people with ADHD, but society and the economy, too, since people with ADHD are more likely to be creative and are very energetic."

Ramtekkar emphasized the need to "fight the stigma" associated with the disorder. 

"ADHD isn't about having low motivation or being lazy or scatterbrained - it's a real health condition with real risks," he said. 

Loved ones should also point out any signs they notice, the doctor advised, which could help with timely diagnosis and treatment. 

"The more they support individuals with ADHD, the more we chip away at that life expectancy gap."