A diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder puts a person at a higher risk of dying young — usually in a car crash or other accident — than those without the disorder, according to a study published in February in The Lancet.

In covering the research, The New York Times contacted Upstate psychiatry professor Stephen Faraone, PhD, who told the newspaper that parents should not be alarmed. “But this is a large, well-done study, and I see it as … a reason to identify and treat ADHD,” he said.

Researchers analyzed nearly 2 million Danish medical records to come to the conclusion that children diagnosed with ADHD died at roughly twice the rate of premature death among those without the disorder. Those who were diagnosed after the age of 18 had an even higher risk of dying early.

Faraone told the Times the heightened risk may reflect a late diagnosis. Children with untreated ADHD are likely to get off track, academically and socially, and may live more recklessly than their peers. While conduct disorders, antisocial behaviors and substance use are likely to happen along with ADHD, but Farone pointed out that “only one of these is easily treatable. And that‘s ADHD.” (A related story appears in the spring 2015 issue of Upstate Health magazine.)