A new study from the University of Bath reveals that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than patients with other neurodevelopmental conditions.
- ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by attention deficit, motor hyperactivity and impulsivity. The intensity and manifestation of these 3 symptoms vary between patients.
- ADHD affects approximately 5-8% of children and 4% of adults.
“Scientists have long known that autism is linked to anxiety and depression, but attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been somewhat overlooked”, explains Luca Hargitai, researcher at the University of Bath (United Kingdom). Based on this observation, she wanted to determine whether this neurodevelopmental condition in adulthood influences mental health. And indeed, ADHD seems to increase the chances of suffering from anxiety or depression.
Increased risk of depression in ADHD adults
For this study, 504 Britons, representative of the population, had to fill out questionnaires: one on autistic traits, the other on those of ADHD. They had to respond to statements such as “I am often strongly absorbed by one thing” and “How often do you feel overly active and forced to do things, like you’re being driven by a motor?”
Their answers allowed the team to discover that the signs of ADHD were highly predictive of the severity of the signs of anxiety and depression: the higher they were, the more the person was likely to experience serious psychological symptoms. The authors of the study, published in Scientific Reports, further confirmed that an ADHD personality was more strongly linked to anxiety and depression than autistic items.
“These results were reproduced in computer simulations with a ‘reproducibility rate’ of 100%. This showed with high confidence that ADHD traits are almost certainly linked to more severe symptoms of anxiety and depression. in adults than autistic traits”say the authors.
Anxiety and ADHD: better identify people at risk
For researcher Luca Hargitai, the results highlighted will improve the care of individuals suffering from ADHD. “This can help identify those most at risk for anxiety and depression so that preventative measures – such as supporting children and adults with managing their ADHD symptoms – can be put in place earlier to have a greater impact on improving the well-being of people”.
Dr Punit Shah, lead author and associate professor of psychology at Bath, adds that the work is improving understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders.
“By filling in the gaps in previous research, our work provides new insights into the complex links between neurodiversity and mental health in adults – an often overlooked area. Further research is now needed to further the understanding of exactly why ADHD is linked to poor mental health, particularly in terms of mental processes that might lead people with ADHD traits to engage in anxious and depressed thinking”she explains.