Can Medications Help In Lowering Unemployment Rates Among People With ADHD?

Adults living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are not only more likely to be unemployed as compared to their neurotypical counterparts, but on average, they also tend to earn 17% lower income. Researchers have estimated that the economic losses associated with ADHD are anywhere between $67 billion to $116 billion — irrespective of individuals’ academic achievements or personal characteristics.

In a new study published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, a group of researchers found that the use of ADHD medications was associated with a 10% lower risk for unemployment for those diagnosed with the condition — especially women.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder with relentless symptoms such as impulsive behavior, poor working (short-term) memory, restlessness, inability to focus or prioritize tasks, forgetfulness, lack of organizational skills, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Although ADHD begins in childhood and has been diagnosed in up to 18% of school-going children worldwide, the disorder continues well into adulthood. At least 65% of children continue to live with their symptoms as adults. In the U.S. population, 5% of adults were diagnosed with ADHD.

If left undiagnosed and/or untreated, ADHD can have a significant impact on an individual’s life. It can affect their social skills, behavior, and interpersonal relationships — making them vulnerable to suffering from other psychiatric conditions such as depression, mood disorders, anxiety, and even drug abuse.

To analyze whether prescription medications for ADHD can help in reducing the severity of symptoms, the researchers used data from Swedish national registers. They then identified 25,358 people with ADHD who were 30 to 55 years old when the study was carried out from 2008 to 2013. Around 41.5% were women and 58.5% were men. Most of them were born in Sweden and had more than nine years of education.

The researchers excluded individuals with severe intellectual disabilities and those who were not a part of the workforce. Finally, 12,875 people were included in the study. Their respective doctors had prescribed them ADHD medications like methylphenidate, amphetamine, dexamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, and atomoxetine.

The study’s participants were using either one of the ADHD medicines for anywhere between less than six months to 24 months. During the follow-up period, the researchers evaluated the unemployment status during years of medication use among individuals. They compared that with when the same individuals were not on any form of ADHD medication.

The researchers observed that close to 70% of the study’s participants had at least one diagnosis of comorbid psychiatric disorders. This included depression (40.28%), anxiety (35.27%), and substance use disorder (28.77%). The average length of medication use was 49 days per year. Only 31.6% of women and 31% of men who participated in the study had never used ADHD medication.

Among the participants who were prescribed medication, only 3.23% of women and 3.46% of men continued using it during the follow-up period of the study.

At least one long term unemployment event during the study period was higher among men (41%) and around 35.7% for women. Whereas during every one of the years from 2008 to 2013, long term unemployment was 0.15% for women and 0.4% for men.

“We found that among individuals with ADHD, the use of ADHD medications during the previous 2 years was associated with a decreased risk of subsequent long-term unemployment, especially in women. Longer duration of treatment with ADHD medication was associated with lower risk of long-term unemployment among women,” the researchers noted in their paper.

This is mainly because “women with ADHD might be more likely to seek and adhere to non-pharmacological treatment than men,” the researchers added.