By midlife, many people begin to notice changes in their physical health. Chronic pain, long-term illness, or reduced ability to manage daily tasks can quietly shape everyday life.
New research suggests that for some adults, these challenges may be connected to traits present decades earlier.
A large UK study led by researchers at University College London indicates that people who showed strong ADHD-related traits in childhood face a higher risk of physical health problems and health-related disability by their mid-40s.
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest ADHD may influence long-term physical health, not only behavior or learning.
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The researchers found that adults with elevated ADHD traits at age 10 were more likely to report living with multiple long-term conditions later in life.
These included issues such as migraines, back pain, diabetes, epilepsy, and cancer. They were also more likely to say their physical health limited work or everyday activities.
Rather than pointing to a single cause, the study highlights how risks may build over time. ADHD is linked to difficulties with planning, impulse control, and maintaining routines, which can affect sleep, diet, exercise, and smoking habits across decades. Mental health challenges and long-term stress may further increase physical strain.
The analysis draws on data from nearly 11,000 participants in the 1970 British Cohort Study, followed from birth into midlife. ADHD traits were assessed using reports from parents and teachers, regardless of formal diagnosis.
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The researchers stress that ADHD does not doom anyone to poor health. Instead, the findings raise questions about long-term support.
Better recognition, ongoing care, and more accessible health monitoring could help reduce preventable illness later in life.
Sources: ScienceDaily and JAMA network
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