Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is typically associated with difficulty focusing and high energy levels. However, a new study has shown a concerning link between adult ADHD and an increased risk of suicide, particularly in women.
Researchers from the University of Toronto confirmed that women with ADHD are eight times more likely to attempt suicide compared to women without the disorder. On the other hand, men with ADHD are four and a half times more likely to self-harm or attempt suicide. The results of this study reveal that the lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts was significantly higher among Canadian women with ADHD, reaching up to 24%, compared to only 3% among women without the disorder.
Dr. Fuller Thomson, the lead author of the study and director of the Institute for Life Course & Aging in Canada, stated, "ADHD casts very long shadows on life, and even when we accounted for the history of mental illness, high levels of poverty, and early adversities often faced by adults with ADHD, individuals with ADHD still had a 56% higher likelihood of attempting suicide compared to their non-ADHD peers."
According to the study, this is particularly interesting considering that ADHD is more commonly diagnosed in men than in women. As a result, most previous ADHD research has primarily focused on males. Furthermore, Lauren Carrick, who recently obtained her master's degree in social work in Toronto and co-authored the study, explained: "We found that one in four Canadian women with ADHD had attempted suicide, underscoring the urgent need to provide adequate lifelong mental health support for this vulnerable and overlooked group."
It is worth noting that "violent parental issues" can create severe stress for children with ADHD, potentially leading to risky behaviors or even suicide. Domestic violence and substance abuse are factors that increase the risk of suicide, as researchers have confirmed. These can significantly elevate the suicide risk among individuals with ADHD. Adults with ADHD who experienced domestic violence during their upbringing were three times more likely to attempt suicide compared to other adults with ADHD.
