ADHD: It’s Not Just Your Keys, It’s Your Life Expectancy
If you have adult ADHD, you’re probably used to the standard "Oops, I forgot my keys" or "Why am I in the kitchen?" brand of chaos. But it turns out, ADHD isn't just about losing your phone or having 47 tabs open in your brain—it’s also a bit of a health hazard.
Recent research (and by "recent," I mean the stuff scientists did while we were busy hyper-focusing on a new hobby) suggests that adult ADHD comes with a side dish of "decreased life expectancy." Yeah, I know. Not the fun, sparkly kind of news we were hoping for.
But don't panic! Before you go down a Google-search rabbit hole, let’s break down why our brains are trying to sabotage our bodies and how we can stop them.
The "How Did I Get Here?" Guide to ADHD Health
According to the experts (like Weibel et al., 2019 and Papageorgiou et al., 2008), ADHD is like that one friend who is a "bad influence." It’s linked to a laundry list of health issues that feel like a cosmic joke:
The "Oops" Factor: We are more likely to have accidents. This includes everything from stubbing a toe to—more seriously—driving like we’re in a Fast & Furious audition. Speeding tickets? Check. Unnecessary braking? Check. Generally being "erratic"? Double check.
The Gut-Brain Connection: It’s not just in your head; it’s in your stomach. ADHD is frequently BFFs with IBS, celiac disease, and asthma.
The Midnight Rave: Between 60% and 80% of us struggle with sleep. Whether it’s insomnia or Restless Leg Syndrome (which is basically your legs trying to run a marathon while you're trying to dream), poor sleep makes ADHD symptoms worse, creating a cycle of exhaustion and "Where did I put my coffee?"
Impulse Control (or lack thereof): Lower impulse control is actually a huge predictor of things like cardiovascular disease and cancer. Why? Because when you’re impulsive, you’re more likely to "self-medicate" with things that aren't exactly kale smoothies—think nicotine, alcohol, or a 2:00 AM date with a bag of Cheetos.
The "Self-Medication" Trap
Let’s talk about substances. Many adults with ADHD use cannabis or stimulants to find "inner calm" or to stop the soul-crushing boredom of existing. While it feels like it’s helping in the moment, it’s often just our brains trying to do the job that proper treatment should be doing.
The good news? Research shows that early treatment (yes, including stimulant medication) actually lowers the risk of developing substance use disorders later. Treating the ADHD doesn’t make you an addict; it makes you less likely to go looking for "relief" in the wrong places.
Why is this happening? (It’s not just you being "lazy")
Researchers Schoenfelder and Kollins (2015) point out that these risks come from two places:
Neurobiology: Our executive functions are basically on a permanent coffee break, making it hard to regulate behavior.
Life Stress: Years of academic struggles, family "discussions" (read: yelling), and feeling like a "failure" lead to poor coping strategies.
The Game Plan: How to Stick Around Longer
We might have a lower "health utility value" on paper (which sounds like a very rude way of saying we’re expensive to maintain), but we aren't doomed. Here is the ADHD-friendly survival guide:
Screen Early, Screen Often: If you suspect ADHD, get it checked. Treating the core symptoms is the first step to fixing the health outcomes.
Move Your Body: Exercise isn't just for people who enjoy kale; it actually alleviates ADHD symptoms and keeps your heart from filing a formal complaint against you.
Get a Co-Pilot: Whether it's an ADHD coach, a therapist, or a very patient partner, having someone to help with "life maintenance" (like remembering your asthma inhaler) is a literal lifesaver.
Sleep Hygiene (Even if you hate it): Fixing your sleep is the "cheat code" to making your ADHD meds work better and your brain feel less like a bag of bees.
The Bottom Line
ADHD is a lot more than just being "distracted." It’s a full-body experience. But by treating the neurocognitive side (your brain) and the environmental side (your habits), you can turn your life expectancy from a worrying statistic into a long, chaotic, and very interesting journey.
