Adults with high levels of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are more likely than those with high levels of autistic traits, according to new research led by psychologists at the University of Bath. Easily experience anxiety and depression. This study is the first to show that ADHD is a better predictor of adverse mental health outcomes in adults than other neurodevelopmental disorders.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and hyperactivity, impulsivity, and the condition is estimated to affect 3% to 9% of the population. So far, information on the impact of ADHD on mental health issues has been scarce, with more research focusing on the impact of autism on depression, anxiety, and quality of life.
As a result, people with ADHD often struggle to get the clinical care they need to cope with their symptoms, and the research team hopes their findings will lead to new research into ADHD and ultimately improve mental health outcomes for people with the disorder.
Lead researcher Dr Luca Hargitai, from the University of Bath, said scientists had long known that autism was linked to anxiety and depression, but ADHD had been somewhat overlooked. Researchers have struggled to statistically separate the importance of ADHD and autism on mental health outcomes because they often occur together. The goal of the study was to accurately measure the associations of ADHD personality traits with poor mental health, while counting autistic traits.
Dr. Hargitai mentioned that this condition affects many people, both children and adults, and the fact that more people are willing to talk about it is encouraging, and it is hoped that as awareness increases, research and better resources in this area will support patients better manage their mental health.
It is understood that the new research is a collaborative effort between the University of Bath, Bristol University, Cardiff University and King’s College London, and was recently published in the prestigious journal “Scientific Reports”. The study used a large nationally representative sample of adults from the United Kingdom, and all participants completed gold standard questionnaires, one on autism traits and the other on ADHD traits.
ADHD Stronger Linked to Anxiety and Depression
The researchers found that ADHD traits were highly predictive of the severity of anxiety and depressive symptoms: The higher the level of ADHD traits, the more likely a person was to experience severe mental health symptoms. Using innovative analytical techniques, the study authors further confirmed that having more ADHD personality traits was more strongly associated with anxiety and depression than autistic traits.
The findings suggest that research and clinical practice must shift some focus from autism to ADHD, which may help identify those most vulnerable to anxiety and depression so that preventive measures can be taken, such as supporting children and adults in managing their Approaches to ADHD symptoms can be put in place earlier to have a greater impact on improving people’s well-being.
According to Dr Punit Shah, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Bath, another important aspect of the new research is that it advances the scientific understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions. By addressing the shortcomings of previous studies, this study provides new information about the complex link between neurodiversity and mental health in adults, an often overlooked area, he said.
Dr. Shah mentioned that further research is now needed to delve deeper into why ADHD is associated with poor mental health, particularly the mental processes that may drive anxious and depressive thinking in people with ADHD traits.
He emphasized that there is currently a lack of funding for ADHD research, especially psychology research, which is especially evident when comparing it to the relatively high level of funding for autism. As evidence shows that ADHD is not just a disease of childhood but persists throughout life, research programs must be adjusted to better understand ADHD in adulthood.
Commenting on the new findings, Dr Tony Floyd from the UK Neurodiversity Foundation said that this research clearly demonstrates the increased risk of mental health comorbidities associated with ADHD in adults, which is a step towards recognizing that unmanaged, treated ADHD is more It is hoped that this research will spur more research in this area, which will also lead to changes in the design and delivery of healthcare services.
Text/Sun Luoxuan, Photos/Sun Peiqun
More Heho Health Articles
ADHD May Be Linked to Neurodegenerative Disease!Study: ADHD genetic risk predicts Alzheimer’s
