A recent study has found that medication prescribed to people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) reduces the risk of suicidal behaviour, substance misuse, transport accidents, and criminality. The research, published in the BMJ, analyzed data from Swedish national registers between 2007 and 2020.
Approximately 2.6 million people in the UK live with ADHD, but only around half are prescribed medication for it. The study, which included 148,581 individuals aged six to 64 years old over two years, found that medicating ADHD reduced suicidal behaviour by 17%, substance misuse by 15%, and transport accidents by 12%.
Medication also showed a 13% reduction in criminality rates. However, the reduction was not statistically significant for first-time accidental injuries.
The study’s author, Professor Samuele Cortese, emphasizes that educating people on the long-term risks of ADHD is crucial. “Commonly, people think ADHD is over-diagnosed, but there are still many people who have ADHD that are not diagnosed,” he said.
Stimulants, commonly prescribed to manage ADHD symptoms, can increase activity in the brain, reducing impulsivity and improving attention. This, in turn, may lower criminality by curbing aggressive behaviour.
The study’s findings provide valuable insights into the effects of ADHD medication on health-related outcomes, informing clinical practice and the debate around drug treatment for ADHD.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/adhd-medication-drugs-suicide-criminal-behaviour-b2806119.html