Millions people in England are estimated to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to new NHS England figures – here an expert explains more about the condition
A staggering 2.5 million people in England are thought to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), including undiagnosed cases, as per the latest NHS England statistics.
This ground-breaking figure is the first of its kind to be released to the public, shedding light on how widespread ADHD really is.
Out of the estimated 2,498,000 individuals, approximately 741,000 are children and adolescents between the ages of five and 24. These numbers are based on projections from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which estimates that about 3-4% of adults and 5% of kids and young people are affected by ADHD.
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Moreover, the data reveals a worrying trend: over half a million individuals (549,000) were queued up for an ADHD assessment at the end of March 2025, a significant increase from the 416,000 waiting at the same time last year in 2024.
In response to these startling figures, Seb Thompson, consultant clinical psychologist and regional psychology lead (South Yorkshire) at Cygnet Health Care, has dispelled some common myths and pointed out key symptoms of ADHD to look out for.
ADHD explained
Seb Thompson explains: “Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that impacts someone’s attention and/or their levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity.” He added: “Typically when someone has ADHD they tend to struggle with their attention, with hyperactivity, and with impulsivity, although it is possible to just struggle with symptoms from one specific domain (e.g. just inattentive symptoms).”
Thompson further shares: “ADHD is definitely more prevalent and readily diagnosed in boys. However, it is important to note that girls can also have ADHD and that this condition often goes undetected in girls.”
ADHD myths
Clinical psychologist Thompson highlights a few misconceptions about ADHD: “When you read the list of symptoms associated with ADHD, most of us will recognise that we can all be inattentive or restless from time to time,” he points out. “The difference with ADHD is the pervasiveness of the symptoms and how it can impact functioning and quality of life for the individual.”
Thompson notes there are a vast range of factors that might cause difficulties similar to ADHD symptoms.
“There are also lots of other reasons why someone might struggle with attention, hyperactivity or impulsivity that could look like ADHD, but are in fact something else,” explains the expert.
The clinical psychologist adds some crucial distinctions in identifying ADHD: “For example, if somebody has hearing problems they could present as inattentive, but could also easily lose focus and become restless if they are not sure what they should be doing,” he elucidates. “Equally someone’s difficulties with attention, impulsivity and hyperactivity could be related other diagnoses such as autism spectrum disorder or learning disability. Other explanations for what seems like ADHD could include attachment difficulties, depression or experiences of trauma.”
Common signs of ADHD
Thompson outlines: “The attention difficulties associated with ADHD could include difficulty sustaining attention on tasks for long periods (particularly when there is no immediate reward), making frequent, careless mistakes and frequently misplacing or losing items.”
He adds: “They also include being easily distracted, appearing to be daydreaming, difficulties with planning and organisation, difficulties remembering to do tasks and difficulties following through with instructions. The symptoms must be present across multiple settings i.e. across school and home.”
Hyperactivity is another common struggle for those with ADHD. Thompson points out: “The hyperactivity/impulsivity difficulties associated with ADHD could include being unable to sit still without fidgeting, excessive restlessness, finding quiet to be uncomfortable, difficulty engaging in tasks quietly, difficulties in turn-taking, impulsively saying or doing things without thinking through consequences, as well as a tendency not to consider the risks of behaviour.”
Alongside these primary symptoms, individuals with ADHD often grapple with low self-esteem, depression and anxiety, the psychologist further notes. “People who get frustrated by their difficulties may stop trying at work or at school, or lose interest in their hobbies because they can’t sustain the attention to take part,” Thompson advises.
“Some people’s frustration can turn to anger, and them displaying behaviours that may be considered disruptive,” he adds.
What difference can a diagnosis make?
“Diagnoses of ADHD are typically given by specialist ADHD assessment teams,” Thompson goes on to say. “If anybody is concerned, they could also speak with their GP who should be able to signpost them to the relevant service in their area.”
Recognising the value of understanding one’s condition, he continues: “It could help explain to the person (and their family) why their brain works in the way it does. It could help explain that they are not to blame for their ADHD, and that they haven’t done anything wrong to cause it. It can help explain that it simply is the way that some people’s brains work.”
He further elaborates on treatment options: “It can also be helpful in the sense that it can open the door for treatment whether this be pharmacological or psychological. It is this treatment which can help people begin to live with ADHD and learn strategies to help them.”
