Mental Health in Adults With ADHD: Examining the Relationship With Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Overview

Journal J Atten Disord

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Psychiatry

Date 2023 Mar 14

PMID 36915221

Authors

Michelle Ogrodnik

Sameena Karsan

Jennifer J Heisz

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The mental health of adults with ADHD was compared to neurotypical controls, and associations between cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and mental health were examined.

Method: Seventy-two participants ( = 36 with ADHD) completed demographic questions assessing ADHD and mental health symptoms. CRF was estimated using the 6-Minute Walk Test and a self-perception question.

Results: Those with ADHD had significantly poorer mental health outcomes than controls ( < .001), with 50% of adults with ADHD reporting severe to extremely severe symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Critically, lower CRF was associated with worse depression, anxiety, and stress (all ≤ .03) across both groups. Within the ADHD group, those with higher estimated CRF had significantly lower stress. Among participants with less severe ADHD symptoms, those with higher perceived CRF had significantly lower depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: In our cross-sectional study, participants with ADHD had poorer mental health than neurotypical controls, and higher fitness was associated with better mental health.

Citing Articles

Evolving Adult ADHD Care: Preparatory Evaluation of a Prototype Digital Service Model Innovation for ADHD Care.

Patrickson B, Shams L, Fouyaxis J, Strobel J, Schubert K, Musker M Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(5).

PMID: 38791796 PMC: 11121032. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21050582.

Exploring the Relationship between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Executive Functioning in Adults with ADHD.

Ogrodnik M, Karsan S, Cirone V, Heisz J Brain Sci. 2023; 13(4).

PMID: 37190638 PMC: 10136722. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13040673.

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