Study: ADHD Increases Risk of Depression, PTSD, Anorexia, and Self-Harm
September 8, 2023A bi-directional link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) means that 35% to 50% of all adults with ADHD will experience one or more depressive episodes in their lives, according to a new study published in the journal BMJ Mental Health.1 The research, which demonstrates “a familial association and shared genetic risk between ADHD and depression,” also found that patients with ADHD are at elevated risk for post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), anorexia nervosa (AN), and suicide attempts.Observational studies have shown past associations between ADHD and mood and anxiety disorders; however, ADHD’s connections to other mental health conditions have remained somewhat less clear.
Using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method, researchers in this study gathered genetic evidence to determine potential links between ADHD and MDD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, AN, and suicide attempts.The MR data and subsequent meta-analyses revealed the following relationships, among others:Other findings showed that ADHD increased the chances of developing PTSD by 18%.
The risk for PTSD rose significantly (67%) in people with ADHD and depression. People with ADHD were 28% more likely to develop AN.
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