Recognising ADHD: How to improve support for people who need it

New research highlights ADHD diagnosis can change people’s lives, giving them a better understanding of themselves, improving their wellbeing, self-esteem, and concentration at work. 

Healthwatch England commissioned the poll with 2,579 adults living in England to explore people’s experiences and impacts of possible ADHD and of getting an ADHD diagnosis. All respondents were either diagnosed with ADHD or thought they had it. 

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition, characterised by difficulties with concentration, energy levels, impulsiveness, or a person’s ability to manage their time. 

People reporting experience of ADHD traits note significant impacts on their mental health, studies, work, and relationships. 

Healthwatch England conducted the survey following concerns about access to ADHD services raised by local Healthwatch and the public.

Out of 363 respondents who have already been diagnosed, most people agreed their diagnosis improved many aspects of their lives: 

• The vast majority of the respondents, 84%, said it helped them understand their behaviour and how their brain works.
• For over half, 58%, it helped them find new strategies to manage traits, while the same number agreed it helped them look after their mental health and wellbeing.
• Over half, 54%, agreed that being diagnosed for ADHD improved their self-esteem, and 47% agreed it helped them concentrate at work or while studying.
• A third, 30%, agreed they found budgeting and managing their finances easier. 

Despite the wide-ranging benefits of ADHD diagnosis, one in five, 21% of people said they had a negative experience of the process from referral to diagnosis, while 17% said it was neither positive nor negative. 

Seven in ten, 70%, of those who have been diagnosed said that they found the length of the process between referral and diagnosis difficult. 

And almost two-thirds, 64%, of people with an ADHD diagnosis said they received either no information or poor information whilst waiting for diagnosis.

Of the people who responded to the poll and who are currently waiting for an assessment, nearly half, 45%, had been waiting for over a year, and 10 per cent of these for three years or more.

Healthwatch England’s report, "Recognising ADHD: How to improve support for people who need it" highlights that long waits for an ADHD assessment on the NHS put people off seeking any support. 

Of all respondents, 963 people, 41%, said they didn’t seek a formal ADHD diagnosis, with 20% of this group citing long waits as a reason. 

There is no official data on how many people are waiting for ADHD assessments. A recent BBC investigation suggested that at least 196,000 adults were on NHS waiting lists for ADHD assessments. 

Healthwatch England has set out four priorities for the Department for Health and Social Care, NHS England and other stakeholders, including collecting data on waiting times to understand demand, shifting more ADHD care to community care to reduce waiting times, better training for staff in both primary and community care, and tailored information and support for people on waiting lists. 

The patient champion sits on and supports the work of the NHS ADHD taskforce, which was set up in 2024 to address the challenges people face in getting the right support.  

William Pett, Head of policy and public affairs at Healthwatch England, said:  

"Our report highlights that ADHD diagnosis plays a crucial role in helping people manage their symptoms, improving life quality and wellbeing. Unfortunately, our findings also paint a picture of long waits for clinical care and a lack of support for people while waiting. This creates a long and often difficult journey for people to get a formal diagnosis, which results in many people missing out on vital support.

“We know that the impacts of ADHD are more significant for those who think they have the condition than for those who have been diagnosed.  ADHD traits can have a profound impact on people's lives, including their mental health and ability to work, care for others and manage finances. 

"People with diagnosed or suspected ADHD deserve timely access to the help they need, be it from the NHS or other teams. 

"We believe that delivery of ADHD assessments by community NHS teams will help to meet the rising demand for support, while freeing up specialist teams to meet the more complex care needs that some people have." 

Alex’s story: ADHD diagnosis helped me manage my life and take care of my child. 

Alex, 32, from Wakefield, said that being diagnosed helped her in many ways: “It has helped my identity and why I am the way I am. It’s also built up my self-esteem and helped me find ways to work with my brain rather than against it. I’m on medication and I feel like I can take better care of my daughter, like getting her ready for school on time.” 

Before Alex got diagnosed, she would become very stressed with routine tasks and housework: “I would put off tasks for days. I just couldn't cope with normal things or keep a routine. It made living exhausting." 

But getting diagnosed wasn’t easy for Alex. Having heard about long waits for ADHD assessments on the NHS and people not being taken seriously, she decided to have a private assessment, a year after she thought she might have the condition. “I’m lucky I could afford going private, but I know many people can’t. If you have to wait for years for an assessment, you miss out on life-changing support.”