Study Links ADHD Medication to Lower Risk of Suicidal Behaviors and Other Risks

Study Links ADHD Medication to Lower Risk of Suicidal Behaviors and Other Risks
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A large-scale study in Sweden suggests a strong link between ADHD medication and a reduced risk of several negative outcomes, including suicidal behaviors, substance misuse, transport accidents, and criminality, The Guardian reported.

The research, which analyzed the medical records of nearly 150,000 people from 2007 to 2020, found that individuals on ADHD medication had a 17% lower risk for the first occurrence of suicidal behavior, a 15% reduction in substance misuse, a 12% reduction in transport accidents, and a 13% reduction in criminality.

While the study was observational and cannot prove that the medication directly caused these benefits, the researchers used a rigorous method to analyze the data, giving them greater confidence in the findings. The study’s senior author, Dr. Zheng Chang, emphasized that the results add to the growing body of evidence about the substantial value of ADHD treatment, particularly considering that untreated ADHD is linked to higher rates of mental health problems and legal issues. The most common drug used in the study was methylphenidate.