Researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden have identified a possible connection between ADHD medication use and a lower risk of death from several causes. The findings appeared in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and add an important piece to the ongoing discussion about how treatment choices may influence long-term outcomes for people with ADHD.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that commonly begins in childhood. Its key features include persistent difficulties with attention, heightened activity, and impulsive behavior that is hard to control. Earlier work has shown that individuals diagnosed with ADHD face a higher likelihood of premature mortality compared with the general population. Yet questions remained about whether taking ADHD medicines could alter that risk, either by reducing it or by having no meaningful effect.
The Swedish study followed about 150,000 individuals, aged 6 to 64, who were diagnosed with ADHD between 2007 and 2018. Investigators compared two groups: those who began pharmacological treatment within three months of their ADHD diagnosis (approximately 57 percent of participants) and those who did not start medication during that window. The researchers then tracked outcomes over a two-year period after diagnosis to examine death from all causes, including those labeled as unnatural, such as accidents, overdoses, and other external factors.
Across the analyzed cohort, the analysis showed a roughly 25 percent lower risk of death due to unnatural causes among medication users compared with non-users. This reduction aligned with the broader pattern that treatment can influence life-course trajectories in ADHD, particularly in areas related to safety and behavior. Importantly, the authors stressed that the study was observational in design. Observational studies can reveal associations but cannot prove that taking ADHD medications directly lowers the risk of death. Other factors, such as access to healthcare, adherence to treatment, comorbid conditions, and social determinants, may contribute to the observed differences.
While these results are encouraging, they are not a final verdict on ADHD treatments. They should be interpreted in the context of real-world care, where decisions about medication are one part of a comprehensive management plan. Clinicians emphasize individualized assessment, weighing the potential benefits of symptom control and improved functioning against possible side effects. Ongoing research, including randomized trials and long-term observational studies, will bolster understanding of how medications influence safety and overall health outcomes for people with ADHD across diverse populations.
Beyond medication, additional supports such as behavioral therapies, school-based interventions, and family education can play critical roles in reducing risk factors associated with ADHD. The study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that effective management—encompassing medical and non-medical strategies—can help people with ADHD lead safer, more productive lives. As science evolves, health professionals and patients alike can use these insights to make informed choices that suit individual needs and circumstances. (JAMA, 2023)