ADHD symptoms to look for as NHS says staggering number of people in England have disorder
The NHS has shed light on the estimated colossal number of individuals presumed to have ADHD in England.
ADHD, short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is marked by symptoms which disrupt focus and organisation, recognised as a neurodevelopmental disorder.
This condition isn't just confined to the young; it can persist into adulthood, where its signs can be subtler and more easily confused. The overlapping nature of ADHD symptoms with other conditions can often lead to misdiagnoses.
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NHS England's current projections indicate that nearly 2.5 million folks in England might be living with ADHD, regardless of whether they've been formally diagnosed or not.
For the first time, the public can gauge the potential prevalence of ADHD across the populace, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Out of the 2,498,000 individuals believed to have ADHD, around 741,000 are thought to be children and youngsters between five and 24 years old, the data indicates.
These numbers spring from calculations made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), noting an approximate three to four per cent of adults and five per cent of children and youth harbouring the condition.
Further, the NHS data points out that over half a million persons (549,000) in England were queued up for an ADHD evaluation as of the end of March 2025 – a significant jump from the 416,000 tallied a year prior at the close of March 2024.
Louise Ansari, at the helm of Healthwatch England, refers to these statistics as "a first step in understanding the scale of demand for ADHD care".
She remarked: "Our new research highlights that many people with ADHD may simply be going without support. Long waits for assessments are one of the reasons people who show ADHD traits don't seek help, while those waiting for an assessment struggle to navigate the long waits.
"While we welcome today's publication, however, there is a way to go to ensure data is comprehensive and robust. A move to official waiting list data in the longer term would give a clearer picture of waiting times, including who is experiencing the longest waits and why."
ADHD Symptoms More Nuanced in Adults.
Adults with ADHD often exhibit less obvious symptoms compared to children, largely due to the coping strategies they've developed over time.
These understated indicators can range from regular forgetfulness to feeling swamped by routine tasks.
The NHS lists several symptoms that adults with ADHD might experience:
A tendency towards carelessness and overlooking details.
Starting new activities before completing ongoing ones.
Disorganised.
Struggling to concentrate or prioritise.
Regularly misplacing items.
Forgetfulness.
Feeling restless.
Frequently speaking out of turn and interrupting conversations.
In contrast, children and young people with ADHD might display signs of inattention, such as:.
Being easily sidetracked.
Difficulty paying attention to others or following directions.
Neglecting daily activities, like personal hygiene or dressing.
The NHS indicates that they may exhibit signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity, such as:.
Possessing high energy levels.
Fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet.
Speaking loudly.
Feeling restless, or rising and moving about when they're expected to remain seated.
Struggling to wait their turn, or intruding on conversations.
ADHD can also be misinterpreted for typical mental health issues. Individuals with ADHD may also be more prone to anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions.
The NHS recommends consulting your GP if you suspect you might have ADHD. They may refer you for a specialist evaluation.
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