Find a therapist to help with ADHD

ADHD is associated with higher risk of serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.

Primary care, if adequately funded, is well-positioned to play a greater role in ADHD care.

Treating ADHD early while addressing its physical health risks is crucial.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by impairments in attention as well as hyperactivity and impulsiveness that onsets early in development. Generally, ADHD is viewed as a condition that needs to be managed by specialist mental health services. Typically, the focus of most research and clinical interventions is on ADHD and any comorbid mental health or neurodevelopmental conditions.

Physical health risks associated with ADHD

What is often not fully appreciated is that ADHD is also associated with many physical health conditions and risks1. These include cardiovascular disease, diabetes (and other metabolic diseases), cancers (notably lung cancer), and neurological and allergic conditions, among others. ADHD is associated, for example, with many well-known cardiovascular risks that are modifiable.2,3 These include obesity, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure. If these risks are not addressed or treated, they can lead to ischemic heart disease (heart attacks), stroke, and premature death.

Many of the health risks that accompany ADHD are........

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