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Almost 2.5 million people in the UK are thought to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but only about a third have a diagnosis, official data shows.
According to NHS data released Thursday, 1.6 million people over the age of 25, as well as 888,000 children and young adults have ADHD. This is the first official publication of statistics on the prevalence of conditions.
However, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by persistent carelessness, hyperactivity and impulsivity – remains underdiagnosed.
According to the NHS, only 1.3% of GP records have been diagnosed. This is far below the official estimates that affects 3-4% of adults and 5% of children.
Anita Tappal, chair of the independent ADHD task force commissioned to improve health services last year, said the data showed that diagnostic rates were “a lot lower than the expected prevalence.”
“There is a lot of evidence that unsupported ADHD is a strong route to many adverse outcomes — mental and physical health, employment and education,” she added. “But people can thrive with the right support and the right time.”
Anita Thapar: “There is a lot of evidence that unsupported ADHD is a strong route to many harmful outcomes” © Cardiff University
Data is overwhelmed by the surge in referrals as the NHS is considering reforming its ADHD services. Social media platforms such as Tiktok have raised awareness of this situation with more than a decade of waiting times for new introductions in some areas.
Approximately 549,000 patients were on the waiting list for ADHD assessments in March, NHS data revealed, showing an increase of about a third since the same month last year. Numbers exclude private clinics.
Long wait lists show that official data show that prescriptions for ADHD are rising faster for wealthy patients, resulting in a surge in demand for private assessments and growing concerns about quality of care and health inequality.
The final task force findings, expected this summer, highlight the need for quality control across all providers, suggesting a move to a need-based approach where support from diagnosis is not expected, Thapar said.
Henry Shelford, chief executive of Charity ADHD UK, said the “compressed” NHS budget is due to areas where “Abject Falry” are leading to “Abject Falry” in diagnosing and treating people’s condition, and ceasing to provide referrals due to reduced services.
He called for the inclusion of the National ADHD Strategy “as governments have for autism” in the NHS 18-week goals, a well-funded task force, and better support in schools.
The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs said through its “plans for change,” a blueprint for government reform, “we will recover by looking back at serious delays and getting people’s necessary support, and will revive the NHS.”
