Thursday, 23 May 2024
New research has revealed the extensive impact of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) highlighting mental health vulnerabilities, physical health risks, and societal implications, emphasising the need for a holistic approach to properly manage this condition.
A comprehensive review by experts at the University of Nottingham’s School of Psychology and Institute of Mental Health in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University analysed over 125 reviews. The results highlight a spectrum of health and lifestyle risks associated with ADHD. The review, published in Frontiers in Psychiatry, serves as a pivotal step towards enhancing the understanding and management of ADHD, paving the way for more targeted interventions and improved outcomes for individuals living with the disorder.
The study identifies a range of mental health vulnerabilities associated with ADHD, including addiction, suicide, eating disorders, mood disorders, and personality disorders, underscoring the importance of tailored interventions for individuals with the condition.
The review also highlights significant physical health risks linked to ADHD, such as obesity, sleep disorders, oral hygiene issues, injuries, and somatic diseases, emphasizing the necessity of integrated care models.
The three key symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention and it impacts around 5% of the UK population and affects 1 child in every classroom and 3% of adults, impacting all aspects of life, home, education, work, relationships and health. People with ADHD are 60% more likely to divorce, 30% higher risk of suicide or 35% higher chance of having accidents.
Beyond individual health, the study explores societal implications, revealing impacts on offending behaviour, criminality, violence, employment challenges, educational attainment, quality of life, relationships, and risk-taking behaviours.
Dr Blandine French is an ADHD lived-experience researcher in the School of Psychology and Institute for Mental Health at the University of Nottingham and led the study. Blandine previously worked in the hospitality industry as a restaurant manager for 13 years. But after receiving her own ADHD diagnosis as an adult, she gained a deeper understanding of her learning styles and need to study differently, allowing her to go to university.
The holistic perspective presented in the review underscores the necessity of a paradigm shift in the approach to ADHD. Moving beyond a narrow focus on symptom management, there is a growing recognition of the need for comprehensive care models that encompass mental health, physical health, and societal factors. Integration of this comprehensive understanding into ADHD discourse is deemed crucial for developing targeted interventions and providing care. By adopting a holistic approach, stakeholders such as clinicians, teachers or parents can better address the diverse challenges posed by ADHD and enhance the overall well-being of individuals affected by the condition.
NHS England has recently set up a task force to look at the service provision and its impact on people with ADHD. The aim of the task force is to develop a joined-up approach to care encompassing education, care, health and criminal justice sectors.
Dr French adds: “The development of this task force is a positive step forwards in developing a better approach to care for people with ADHD, we hope our.research can help to inform some of this work and that services for people with ADHD can be improved. For example, communication from healthcare professionals on the physical risks could help families seek earlier support for these less known related issues.”
The range and severity of problems experienced by individuals with ADHD requires ADHD assessment and treatment to become more of a priority.
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Blandine French on Blandine.French@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
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