Young people with ADHD suffer more from loneliness than their peers, according to a new survey.
ADHD and loneliness: what are we talking about?
Attention deficit disorder with or without hyperactivity (ADHD) is defined by the combination, in various ways, of attention deficits, motor hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It appears in childhood and its causes are still unknown.
Loneliness, officially defined as “a subjective feeling of distress due to a perceived deficit in the quantity and quality of a person’s social relationships” regularly associated with physical and mental health problems including depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal ideation.
ADHD and loneliness: 15 studies synthesized
A synthesis of 15 studies found that young people with ADHD feel significantly more lonely than those without the disorder. These data come from studies conducted in 8 different countries, in which the pathways of 1,253 participants with ADHD and 5,028 without ADHD were analyzed.
“One factor likely to explain the increase in loneliness among youth with ADHD compared with their peers may be the fact that they are more socially rejected and experience relationship difficulties.” assessed by the authors of the study. “It may also be related to feeling different.” they add.
ADHD and loneliness: implications for mental health
Their analysis also confirmed a significant association between loneliness and the occurrence of mental health problems such as depression and anxiety in a large number of participants with ADHD.
“So making young people with ADHD feel less lonely could have a positive impact on their mental health.” scientists conclude.
A study called “Loneliness in young people with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis”, was written by Angelina Jong, Clarissa Mary Odoi, Jennifer Lau and Matthew J. Hollocks.
What is the prevalence of ADHD in France?
The prevalence of ADHD in France among children is a matter of debate. “According to our study, the prevalence of hyperactivity/ADHD in France can be estimated at 0.3% among school-aged children, with 0.2% attributed to the prescription of psychostimulants,” Sébastien Ponnou, psychoanalyst and lecturer at the University of Rouen-Normandy, explained to Libération in 2020. “These data are particularly robust because they are based on the reality of clinical practice and physician prescriptions for the entire population.”
For its part, HAS estimates on its website that “In France, between 3.5 and 5.6% of schoolchildren suffer from ADHD.”
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