When, just two years ago, I was finally diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). At long last, although over half a century too late to improve my prospects in life, I finally had an explanation of why I was why I was, although with with no hope of a cure or even ongoing treatment and support (without paying a small fortune which of course I don’t have). Today, a story in The Guardian reveals that those of us with ADHD also have a far lower life expectancy. It’s quite a shock that the possibility of premature death is likely to be the only cure.
The good news, though, is that it’s not the ADHD itself that is likely to bring forth my early demise. Prof Joshua Stott of University College London says this:
“People with ADHD were more likely to have mental health problems and might experience more difficulties accessing the healthcare they needed, while lifestyle factors could also play a role.
“We know that people with ADHD have higher suicide rates unfortunately. They are also more likely to engage in risky behaviours like smoking, drinking and actually binge eating probably as well.”
Prof Joshua’s study reveals that men with ADHD die, on average, seven years sooner than those without and women, nine. Truly shocking figures, at least to me, given that if I follow the trajectory of my dear old mum, I’ve probably got one year to go. If I follow my dad’s, it’s a more optimistic six. There’s always a silver lining in every cloud, eh? Or it is a cloud in every silver lining? Either way, now we know for sure that poor mental health combined with ADHD does not provide a path into a long and happy life, what’s next? In medical parlance the answer is simple: absolutely fuck all.
The Guardian report concludes with this:
Oliver Howes, a professor of molecular psychiatry at King’s College London, who was not involved in the work, said the study showed the big impact of ADHD on people’s lives, and how few people with ADHD got a diagnosis, although he cautioned the study did not look at when ADHD was diagnosed in relation to other medical problems, or the impact of treatment.
“These findings highlight the need for much more investment in mental health services so people can get the help they need,” he said.
Now I am so thick, I don’t even know what “molecular psychiatry” is, but I have concluded that Prof Howes has a reasonably good idea. Unlike Michael Gove, I haven’t had enough of experts. I am, of course, drawn to the Prof’s final words. And, for what I believe is at least the millionth time I have said this, NHS mental services are for the average Joe and Josephine virtually non-existent, nothing exists between a bit of counselling for those with mild conditions and full-blown sectioning for the chronically sick. What a thing to read when you have a mental health condition and ADHD.
The supposed Jesus of Nazareth is quoted in Luke 4:23 as saying,”Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal thyself’: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.” I have no idea whatever the fuck that means, but in modern day Britain, as opposed to the Middle East around 2000 years ago when no one knew what was going on, a new version of the saying would be “Patient heal thyself“.
It’s somewhat disheartening to learn that the knock-on effects of ADHD are dramatically life-shortening but at least we all know there’s an answer. Better NHS mental health treatment. What a shame there isn’t any. Keir and Wes, it’s over to you.
