Research led by the University of Southampton has found that medication plays an important role in improving the quality of life of people with ADHD. However, the authors say more support is needed alongside medication.

The results were published online on August 8, 2024 in The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry illustrate the likely effects of a lack of certain ADHD medications.

“It is deeply worrying to think of the impact on people who do not have access to their medicines due to supply shortages or other reasons,” says Professor Samuele Cortese of the University of Southampton, lead author of the study.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is primarily characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These core symptoms can negatively impact social interactions and relationships, work, education, and the ability to perform daily tasks.

“People with ADHD report lower quality of life in areas such as work productivity, social and family life, and self-esteem compared to their neurotypical peers,” says Dr. Alessio Bellato, lecturer in psychology at the University of Southampton and lead author of the study.

“This study shows that medications play an important role in improving the quality of life of those affected.”

The researchers conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis examining the effects of stimulant (amphetamines and methylphenidate) and non-stimulant (atomoxetine) medications for ADHD on quality of life.

They included 17 placebo-controlled trials with over five thousand participants in the analysis. The studies were selected from the MED-ADHD dataset, the largest dataset of ADHD medication trials, created by Professor Cortese and international collaborators.

Both stimulant and non-stimulant medications improved quality of life significantly better than placebo. However, the study also found that while the effect of these medications on the core symptoms of ADHD is typically moderate to high, the impact on quality of life is low to moderate.

Professor David Coghill of the University of Melbourne, a co-author of the study, added: “This discrepancy shows that for most people, treating core symptoms with medication alone is unlikely to counteract the impact of ADHD on quality of life. Further research is needed to determine whether combining medication with other approaches can lead to further improvements in wellbeing and what types of support might be most effective in situations where medication is not available.”

“More research is also needed to better understand how these medications impact quality of life,” says Dr. Bellato. “It may be that reducing the core symptoms of ADHD (inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) leads to more efficient task performance, and this leads to better academic and occupational outcomes. Medications may also help stabilize emotional dysregulation, which could promote emotional well-being and higher self-esteem.”

“Given that ADHD medications may not be acceptable, effective, or well-tolerated for every ADHD patient, further research is needed to examine alternative approaches, including psychological interventions.”