A new study has found that people with ADHD who are treated with medication are at a 19% lower risk of death compared to those with untreated ADHD, suggesting that ADHD medication may be life-saving due to the psychiatric comorbidities associated with ADHD. Nearly 10% of children and teens in the United States have ADHD, which requires careful diagnosis and may present differently in males and females. A recent shortage of ADHD medications has complicated treatment. The study, conducted in Sweden, tracked 148,578 individuals with ADHD, and found that those treated with medication had a lower risk of non-natural death over a two-year period compared to those not treated.
ADHD is commonly treated with stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, which can alleviate symptoms by increasing neurotransmitter levels in the brain, resulting in improved attention, impulse control, and behavior regulation. For individuals who do not respond well to stimulants, there are non-stimulant medications available. The study suggests that prescribed ADHD medication may be life-saving for some individuals with ADHD as they are often associated with several psychiatric comorbidities. Other mental health conditions that may be present alongside ADHD include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and substance abuse. Despite the benefits of medication, observational studies like this have inherent limitations, and further research is needed to establish a causal relationship between ADHD treatment and reduced mortality risk.
ADHD can affect adults but is most often diagnosed in children and teens, with about 6 million youth in the US diagnosed with ADHD between 2016 and 2019. It is clinically divided into three types: predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive, and a combination of both. Diagnosing ADHD requires careful clinical observation and assessment, as hyperactive ADHD may be easier to recognize compared to inattentive ADHD, which can often be missed or mistaken for laziness. It can also exist alongside other learning and developmental disorders, leading to motor delays and difficulty with speech, reading, and writing. Additionally, ADHD may present differently in males and females, with males being more likely to be diagnosed with hyperactive ADHD and females with inattentive ADHD.
There is an ongoing shortage of both Adderall and Ritalin, making it challenging to provide consistent treatment for people with ADHD. The shortage has been attributed to various factors such as production issues, manufacturing problems, and material supply issues, compounded by increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recreational use of Adderall may also contribute to the shortage, as evidenced by a significant increase in nonprescription use and related emergency room visits. This shortage highlights the growing need for adequate supplies of ADHD medication to ensure that individuals receive the treatment they need to potentially add years to their life when taken as prescribed.
The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of ADHD medication in reducing mortality risks, particularly in preventing non-natural deaths such as accidents, poisoning, and suicide. The large sample size, longitudinal design, and emulation of a randomized clinical trial lend credibility to the findings, although further research is needed to confirm a causal relationship. Overall, ADHD medication may play a critical role in improving the quality of life and reducing the mortality risk for individuals with ADHD, underscoring the importance of access to consistent and reliable medication supplies to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.
