What if we don’t treat ADHD?

A lot of people worry about medication side effects, want to be all natural, or just plain forget to take their medicines. What’s the harm in that? Is it really a big deal if we don’t treat ADHD? Dr. Russell Barkley has data to show why it’s a big deal!

A lot of people worry about medication side effects, want to be all natural, or just plain forget to take their medicines. What’s the harm in that? Is it really a big deal if we don’t treat ADHD? Is there risk of not treating ADHD?

I have had the privilege of hearing Dr. Russell Barkley, an internationally acclaimed expert on ADHD, speak three times about his research results showing the long term impact of ADHD on our lifespan. He came to Kansas City to present at a Grand Rounds at Children’s Mercy Hospital and again at the Midwest ADHD Conference in April 2018. He presented the same information at the 2018 International ADHD Conference in St. Louis this past November. During each of the the three talks he made big impressions in audience members.

Why am I blogging about it now?

I’m excited to see that he’s giving a FREE webinar through Additude Magazine, How ADHD Shortens Life Expectancy: What Parents and Doctors Need to Know to Take Action. It’s happening later this month and I wanted to write this to show how important the topic is and to encourage you to register so you can hear him for yourself.

When is the webinar? Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at 1:00 EST/noon CST.

If you can’t make the webinar live but you’ve registered, you’ll get a copy to listen later. A win either way!


Here’s a recorded version that’s circulating online. The main talk begins after 3:30.

What’s the big deal?

We all know adults who have had untreated (even undiagnosed) ADHD all their life and seem to do well. Some people seem to be able to control their symptoms of ADHD or they outgrow them.

There are even those who think certain aspects of their ADHD help them thrive.

There’s significant risk for many with ADHD

Unfortunately, not everyone outgrows ADHD and many people suffer from untreated problems, especially when they’re young and haven’t learned to adequately manage the frustrations that ADHD can cause.

Dr. Barkley’s long term study has shown some very distressing results. Children with ADHD have a shortened life expectancy of over 9 years. Adults with persistent ADHD symptoms have an even more significantly shortened life expectancy of nearly 13 years.

Dr. Barkley’s research is very compelling

The complete study, Hyperactive Child Syndrome and Estimated Life Expectancy at Young Adult Follow-Up: The Role of ADHD Persistence and Other Potential Predictors, was recently published in the Journal of Attention Disorders. Unfortunately, it is behind a paywall, meaning you cannot read the complete results unless you have paid for access or are a student or educator with that benefit. (But the webinar is free!)

Life Course Impairments

Dr. Barkley has found that many risks associated with ADHD can lead to life problems, including premature death.

We all know that kids with ADHD struggle in school without proper supports. This is linked to lower educational success, lower paying jobs, and more family stress.

Many people with ADHD get anxious and depressed due to circumstances created by their ADHD. This can lead to more problems in school, interpersonal relationships, self medicating with drugs and alcohol, legal problems, and even death by suicide.

Inattention and impulsivity increase the risk of accidental injury and death. Other risky behaviors can lead to unplanned pregnancies.

Problems with executive functioning can lead to problems at home with significant others and in parenting. Many adults with ADHD show problems at work and in maintaining a consistent job.

Impulsive eating can lead to obesity, and all the long term health consequences associated with that. These include diabetes, heart disease, orthopedic problems, and more.

A public health problem

Dr. Barkley asserts that we should approach ADHD as a public health problem.

During his talk in St. Louis, one of Dr. Barkley’s slides proposed that “ADHD is a serious public health problem; it accounts for greater reductions is ELE [expected life expectancy] than any single risk factor of concern to public health and medical professionals, such as smoking, excess alcohol use, obesity, or risky driving among other widely accepted health risks.”

The good news

The good news is that many of these risks can be minimized with proper management.

If we support our students to help them succeed in school, they are more likely to continue in their education. When people attain a higher education level, they are able to get more fulfilling jobs and earn better incomes.

Proper management of ADHD and executive function problems can help prevent and treat depression and anxiety. With less depression and anxiety, parents can be better parents, workers better workers, and partners better partners. Self medication with drugs and alcohol will be less, resulting in fewer problems that are linked to those issues: less crime, healthier bodies, less risky behaviors and fewer accidents.

Encouraging healthy habits, such as regular exercise and proper nutrition, helps everyone live a longer, healthier life. This is no different for those with ADHD, so it is important to help them overcome poor dietary habits and inadequate exercise to improve their overall lifespan.

What can be done?

We can use behavioral interventions, training for patients and parents of children with ADHD, educational support, and medication to optimize management of ADHD.

When properly diagnosed and treated, individuals with ADHD can be very successful in life. That’s why ADHDKC was started… to help those with ADHD learn to thrive!

Top 10 Posts of 2018

What have others enjoyed reading on ADHDKCTeen that you may have missed?

I know it seems like I’m jumping on the bandwagon, but posting the top 10 blog posts at the end of the year serves several purposes. First, it might help someone find a post about a subject that’s important to them but they hadn’t seen yet. Second, it is a way for me to look at what people are reading, which can help me plan future group meeting topics as well as new posts. Third, it’s self-preservation. It’s a busy time of the year and I only have so much time like everyone else. This is an easy to write post!

10: Screen Time Limits

Setting Screen Time Limits is important to everyone. We all waste time on our screens, but we can’t simply get rid of them. They are a fantastic resource for information and a way to communicate with people we can’t talk to directly. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to fall into the trap of checking one more app or playing one more game when we should be doing other things. People with ADHD are at risk due to their executive management issues with time management, impulsivity, and more. Learn some practical strategies on regulating your screen time so you have more time for other things!

9: What does brain imaging tell us about ADHD?

We’re able to look at the brain in many novel ways that are helping us to better understand its function and development. Studies have shown that kids with ADHD have smaller brains than kids without ADHD. Learn what brain imaging can tell us about ADHD and what the limitations are in What does brain imaging tell us about ADHD? 

8: Genetics of ADHD

If you know people who doubt that ADHD is a real condition, you can share new research that has located 12 specific areas in our genes that link directly to the symptoms of ADHD. Learn more in Genetics of ADHD.

7: Stimulants decrease brain function? Say what?

Yes, I was going for a click bait title with this one, but only in response to the headlines that made mainstream news about a study showing Adderall decreased brain function. The study was done in neurotypical (“normal”) people. There’s a big difference in what these drugs do in a brain that has imbalances of neurotransmitters (such as in those with ADHD) and in a brain that does not, so don’t freak out. Read Stimulants decrease brain function? Say What? to learn more!

6: 10 Secrets of Productivity

Who doesn’t want Secrets of Productivity?

5: Celebrate ADHD… Yes, Really!

One of the disappointing aspects of ADHD is that children are made to feel that they are bad and inferior. Most societies want children to do as they’re told in the way they’ve been shown. School in particular is difficult for kids with brains that work differently. The truth is that we should cultivate the characteristics that individuals have. If given the opportunity to learn in ways they learn best and to express their creativity and problem solving, people who think differently can excel. Many adults with ADHD finally find their purpose later in life when they can use the way their brains work to their advantage. Learn more in Celebrate ADHD.

4: 5 Self-Confidence Boosters Part 1: Stop Negativity

I’m surprised this is the most popular in the series of Self Confidence Boosters because it’s rather negative and the others are positive. I suppose it’s because if we recognize that we have a problem with negativity, we want to fix it.

3: How To Get A Growth Mindset

This is my personal favorite because I love this topic. A growth mindset is associated with success more than intelligence. Let that soak in… our perspective on life can help us be more successful. Learn How to Get A Growth Mindset.

2: Watch Out for Rejection Sensitivity

This is a topic that is a relatively new idea to me, but in hindsight I feel like I’ve always known of it. Kids with ADHD are particularly sensitive to criticism. They tend to have low self esteem and are often easily upset by things that wouldn’t bother others. Learn more about Rejection Sensitivity and what you can do to protect yourself against it.

1: What is ADHD? Why do some develop it?

The most read post is What is ADHD? Why do some develop it? It helps to introduce the basics of what causes ADHD and, sometimes more importantly, what does not cause it. If you know people who blame poor parenting or bad teachers, share this with them.

What’s your favorite?

What has been your favorite post on ADHDKCTeen?

What topics would you like covered in 2019?

Let me know in the comments below!

Genetics of ADHD



A bit about studying genetics



What are SNPs?

SNPs are commonly pronounced like the word “snips”.



Does this cause a problem?

Most SNPs have no effect on health or development.


For an interactive way to look at SNPs, see Learn Genetics

What does the study show?



How can this help us?

ADHD is real


Learning about symptoms



Limitations of the study

This is not a study that will help us diagnose ADHD. 



How is ADHD diagnosed?





Looking ahead…




What does brain imaging tell us about ADHD?



Brain imaging



With vs without ADHD



ADHD is a brain condition



The case for a clinical diagnosis







Back to the prefrontal cortex…







Other parts of the brain are affected too



What does all of this mean?

You guessed it: it’s still being studied.





These are the things we still need to learn.

We don’t really know the full extent of it yet.

For more:

ADHD Neuroimaging: What’s New?

Coming up next:

What do we know about the genetics of ADHD?

What is ADHD? Why do some develop it?


Typical Brain Development




We’ll tackle neurotransmitters more in future posts. They’re important!

How long does it take for the brain to fully develop?




Prefrontal cortex




How does ADHD develop?







Prenatal development





Illness, injury, toxins and more… oh, my!



What it’s NOT:




What about sugar?

ADHD also isn’t from too much sugar.



Coming up…
