Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition affecting an estimated 15.5 million adults and approximately 7 million children in the United States, is increasingly being linked to a range of other health disorders. Recent research indicates that individuals with ADHD may be more susceptible to anxiety, disordered eating, autoimmune diseases, migraines, long COVID, and chronic pelvic pain.
A study published earlier this year in *Scientific Reports* examined 958 adults with treatment-resistant chronic pain and found that those reporting “extremely severe” pain—rated 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale—showed a higher prevalence of ADHD symptoms than those experiencing less severe pain. The occurrence of ADHD symptoms in this group was roughly double that of the general population. However, it remains unclear whether ADHD itself biologically predisposes individuals to pain or if secondary factors such as chronic stress, poor sleep, social challenges, untreated ADHD symptoms, or side effects of ADHD medications contribute to this relationship.
Clinical psychologist Karen Stewart from Huntsville, Alabama, who specializes in ADHD, suggested that common ADHD traits like impulsivity and cognitive rigidity might exacerbate pain perception. These traits can lead to catastrophizing—quickly assuming the worst—and an inability to break free from negative thought patterns, both of which can intensify the experience of physical pain. Psychiatrist Margo Pumar of San Francisco noted that individuals with ADHD and chronic pain might become trapped in fearful thought loops, worrying that their condition will persist indefinitely, which may worsen their symptoms.
Neuroscientific research points to central sensitization—heightened nervous system sensitivity to sensory stimuli—as a potential mechanism linking ADHD with increased pain perception. Neuroinflammation, or brain and spinal cord tissue inflammation, implicated as a factor in ADHD, may also contribute to this heightened nerve sensitivity. Eugene Merzon, an ADHD researcher certified by the Israeli Health Ministry, explained that neuroinflammation could disrupt neuronal communication, resulting in ADHD-related symptoms including inattention and executive dysfunction.
Beyond pain, ADHD appears to co-occur with immune system disorders such as asthma, allergies, eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, Type 1 diabetes, and hypothyroidism, according to Jeffrey Newcorn, director of the division of ADHD and learning disorders at Mount Sinai in New York. Merzon’s research has linked ADHD with a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, more severe illness, and increased likelihood of long COVID, raising questions about ADHD-related neuroinflammation and immune response.
Neuropsychiatric manifestations in autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can mirror ADHD symptoms such as brain fog, concentration difficulties, and memory issues. Meggan Mackay, a rheumatologist and researcher funded by the Lupus Research Alliance, noted that these cognitive symptoms, often dismissed as emotional fallout from chronic illness, may actually stem from neuroinflammatory processes.
Management of chronic conditions may be particularly challenging for individuals with ADHD due to executive function deficits—those cognitive skills necessary for organizing, planning, and completing health-related tasks such as medication adherence and appointment scheduling. Some evidence suggests that stimulant medications for ADHD, along with certain antidepressants, may alleviate accompanying chronic pain and mood disorders.
While research into the complex links between ADHD and other health conditions continues to evolve, experts emphasize the importance of viewing ADHD as a systemic condition affecting both brain and body. “It’s one body,” Pumar said. “Your brain knows exactly what’s happening in all the parts of your body.”