UCL Study Highlights Potential Underdiagnosis of ADHD Among Adults in England

A large-scale study suggests many adults, especially those over 65, may be living with ADHD without a formal diagnosis or access to appropriate support.

A major new study has found that Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may still be significantly underdiagnosed among adults in England, despite a sharp rise in awareness and diagnoses in recent years.

Researchers from University College London (UCL), the University of Liverpool and King’s College London analysed healthcare records from more than 42 million people in England and found that recorded ADHD diagnosis rates remain well below estimates of how common the condition is thought to be in the wider population.

The study found that around 1.19% of people in England had an ADHD diagnosis recorded in their primary care records. However, international research generally suggests that between 3% and 5% of adults may have ADHD, indicating that many people could still be living with the condition without a formal diagnosis.