ADHD and mental health strongly correlated

According to new research led by psychologists at the University of Bath in the UK, adults with high levels of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are more likely to experience anxiety and depression than adults with high levels of autistic traits. This study is the first to show that ADHD is more predictive of poor mental health outcomes in adults than other neurodevelopmental conditions like autism.
The study authors hope their findings will trigger new research into ADHD and ultimately improve the mental health outcomes for people with the condition. Lead researcher Luca Hargitai said, “Scientists have long known that autism is linked to anxiety and depression, but ADHD has been somewhat neglected. Researchers have also struggled to statistically separate the importance of ADHD and autism for mental health outcomes because of how frequently they occur together.”
Hargitai, a Ph.D. Researcher at Bath, added, "Our aim was to precisely measure how strongly ADHD personality traits were linked to poor mental health while statistically accounting for autistic traits.”
"The condition affects many people - both children and adults - and the fact that more people are willing to talk about it is to be welcomed," said Hargitai, adding, "The hope is that with greater awareness will come more research in this area and better resources to support individuals in better managing their mental health.”
The study used a large, nationally representative sample of adults from the UK population. All participants completed gold standard questionnaires - one on autistic traits, the other on ADHD traits - responding to statements such as "I frequently get strongly absorbed in one thing" and "How often do you feel overly active and compelled to do a motor drove thing like you?"
The researchers found that ADHD traits were highly predictive of the severity of anxiety and depression symptoms. The higher the levels of ADHD traits, the more likely a person is to experience severe mental health symptoms. Through innovative analytical techniques, the study authors further confirmed that having more of an ADHD personality was more strongly linked to anxiety and depression than autistic traits.
Hargitai said, "Our findings suggest that research and clinical practice must shift some of the focus from autism to ADHD. This may help to identify those most at risk of anxiety and depression so that preventative measures - such as supporting children and adults with the management of their ADHD symptoms - can be put in place earlier to have a greater impact on improving people's well-being."
According to Dr. Punit Shah, senior author and associate professor of Psychology at Bath, another important aspect of the new study is that it advances the scientific understanding of neurodevelopmental conditions.
"By addressing the shortcomings of previous research, our work provides fresh information about the complex links between neurodiversity and mental health in adults - an area that is often overlooked," he said.
"Further research is now needed to delve deeper into understanding exactly why ADHD is linked to poor mental health, particularly in terms of the mental processes that might drive people with ADHD traits to engage in anxious and depressive thinking," he added.
"At the moment, funding for ADHD research - particularly psychological research - is lacking. This is especially pronounced when you compare it to the relatively high level of funds directed at autism," Shah elaborated.