Research shows ADHD approach needs to go beyond core symptoms
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 an inclusive approach to properly manage the disorder.
By Helen Breese | Published on 24 May 2024
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Social Sciences;
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, 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.
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 living with the disorder.
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. 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.
Dr French commented: “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.”
Professor David Daley, head of Applied Psychological Practice at Nottingham Trent University's School of Social Sciences and co-author on the paper, added: “The range and severity of problems experienced by individuals with ADHD requires ADHD assessment and treatment to become more of a priority.”
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Helen Breese, Public Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8751, or via email.
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More information is available from Dr Blandine French on Blandine.French@nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science on Jane.Icke@nottingham.ac.uk
About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2021 for cultural heritage science research. It is the second time that NTU has been bestowed the honour of receiving a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its research, the first being in 2015 for leading-edge research on the safety and security of global citizens.
The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent. 86% of NTU’s research impact was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded The Times and The Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2023 and ranked University of the Year in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023. It was awarded Outstanding Support for Students 2020 (Times Higher Education Awards), University of the Year 2019 (Guardian University Awards, UK Social Mobility Awards), Modern University of the Year 2018 (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide) and University of the Year 2017 (Times Higher Education Awards).
NTU is the 5th largest UK institution by student numbers, with approximately 40,000 students and more than 4,400 staff located across five campuses. It has an international student population of 7,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
Since 2000, NTU has invested £570 million in tools, technology, buildings and facilities.
NTU is in the UK’s top 10 for number of applications and ranked first for accepted offers (2021 UCAS UG acceptance data). It is also among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was the first UK university to sign the Social Mobility Pledge.
NTU is ranked the second most sustainable university in the world in the 2022 UI Green Metric University World Rankings (out of more than 900 participating universities).
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 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 is 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. More news…