By Karen Caffarini, Life Quotes, Inc.

Persons with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) tend to be fidgety, inattentive, easily distracted and have problems with organization—none of which will necessarily affect life insurance rates. It’s the problems often associated with more severe cases—those who have problems with alcoholism, substance abuse and addiction, depression and extreme risk taking, for instance—that will see rates to soar, or find that they are uninsurable altogether, insurance experts say.

“Children with ADHD often grow into risk takers as adults. They jump out of planes, like fast motorcycles. They also are more prone to alcohol and substance abuse,” said Dr. Robert Melillo, a neurologist and author of the book ”Disconnect Kids.”   Melillo says children with ADHD  are not more violent than others, but they do tend to get angry and lash out more.

Elizabeth Geary, a spokeswoman for Sun Life insurance, says the company doesn’t consider ADHD a major medical underwriting issue unless it is linked to some other condition.

Metlife looks favorably at those with a mild case of ADHD, provided they’re not having any social or occupational dysfunction or psychological disorder.

“They can even get our best insurance rating,” says Dr. Jacki Goldstein, vice president and chief medical officer for Metlife.

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