Young adults with ADHD at increased risk for depression, suicidal behavior

Young adults with ADHD, particularly women, were at increased risk for depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts vs. those without ADHD, according to study results published in Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

“Although findings from clinical and epidemiological studies suggest that depression and suicidal behavior are prominent concerns for many young adults with ADHD, very little is known about how often young adults with ADHD engage in clinical services to address these problems, the type of treatment they pursue and the cost of these services,” Dara E. Babinski, PhD, of the department of psychiatry and behavioral health at Penn State College of Medicine, and colleagues wrote. “There are relevant psychosocial and medication treatment options for young adults with ADHD, depression and suicidal behavior that are offered in the outpatient setting. Additionally, the severity of these difficulties may also necessitate inpatient care.”

Babinksi and colleagues analyzed commercial claims data to determine the impact of ADHD and sex on risk for depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among 162,263 and 22,705 young adult women and men, respectively. Participants had at least two claims with ICD-9 code for ADHD. The investigators compared the outcomes of these individuals to those of a sex- and age-matched group of young adults who did not have an ICD-9 code for ADHD. Specifically, they compared the prevalence of ICD-9 depression and suicidal behavior, as well as the use and cost of related treatment, between these two groups.

Results showed higher frequency of depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among young adults with ADHD vs. those without ADHD. Further, women with ADHD were more likely to exhibit depression and suicidal ideation compared with all other groups. The investigators also noted higher frequency of outpatient and inpatient mental health care engagement among young adults with ADHD vs. those without ADHD. Young adults with ADHD had greater overall costs of outpatient and inpatient care.

“Given that depression and suicidality in young adulthood forebode long-term problems with depression and suicidality, as well as additional difficulties across the lifespan, future work prioritizing treatment for young adults with ADHD and depression is greatly needed,” Babinski and colleagues wrote. “Additionally, there is also some evidence that treatment for ADHD may mitigate risk for depression and suicide. Thus, prospective longitudinal work on long-term treatment and adherence to treatment among young adults with ADHD, depression and suicidal behavior should also be prioritized.”