Latest news with #AlexMartin
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
ADHD is not really on the rise, study suggests
ADHD is not rising despite public perception that cases are increasing, a study suggests. Researchers at King's College London found little evidence to suggest that the prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was getting worse, and said many studies suggesting an increase were of too low quality to be trusted. Dr Alex Martin, lecturer in psychology at King's, said: 'The media has been concerned about a 'surge' in ADHD diagnoses for several years. 'While assessments and help-seeking may be increasing, our study has shown significant gaps in the tracking of ADHD prevalence, resulting in a frustratingly unclear picture. 'The best data we have suggests that there has been no meaningful increase in ADHD prevalence, but most of the research is too biased to draw conclusions from.' Anecdotal reports suggest that the UK has had an unprecedented rise in the number of children and adults seeking support for ADHD, with significant backlogs of people currently awaiting assessment. The demand for ADHD diagnoses has exacerbated pressures on the NHS, with a survey by the Pensions Committee in 2023 finding that about one in four people faced delays of two years while one in 10 waited 10 years for an assessment. There were fears that the Covid pandemic and social media may have exacerbated the problem, with many more youngsters experiencing mental health issues during lockdowns. But while calls for assessments are growing, there is little evidence to suggest it was leading to a rise in the overall prevalence of the condition, the study found. The team discovered that studies suggesting ADHD rates were rising were of low quality, using self-reporting surveys, or reported symptoms from parents and teachers, rather than actual clinical diagnoses. Researchers said that the demand for assessments might be driven by increased awareness, rather than more cases. Between January and May last year, there were 25,080 media articles published on ADHD compared with 5,775 articles in the same period in 2014. The growth of the 'neurodiversity movement' may also have played a role in raising the profile of the condition and encouraging more people to seek help. Edmund Sonuga-Barke, professor of developmental psychology at King's, said: 'The neurodiversity movement, with its concentration on personal lived experience and self-compassion as the ultimate reference point for decision-making, is likely driving cultural change. 'In this regard, it's potentially increasing rates of self-referral among adolescents and adults.' In the UK, it's estimated that ADHD affects about 3-5 per cent of children and adults. The US has far higher rates, with nearly 12 per cent of youngsters diagnosed with the condition. This has led to a crackdown by the Trump administration on over-prescribing of ADHD drugs to youngsters. Prof Sonuga-Barke said US and UK rates were likely to be similar and he agreed there should be an investigation. 'I think the prevalence of ADHD is very similar in the US and the UK,' he said. 'I think there's grounds for an investigation to the impact of the prescriptive prescribing rates in the States.' A recent BBC investigation suggested that at least 196,000 adults were on NHS waiting lists for ADHD researchers said that greater awareness of the condition might also mean that young people are now using the term ADHD as 'language of distress', to signal they are struggling, even though they do not have the condition. Prof Phillip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People at King's, said: 'There's both an increased recognition and less stigma around ADHD, which means that people are increasingly coming forward for assessment. 'My hunch is that there's such a huge awareness of ADHD that it's often used as a language of distress. 'It's sometimes used, I suspect, by young people who are expressing that they are struggling, particularly at school, and need help.' This study was funded by NHS England and was conducted by the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emergency Preparedness and Response. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Greater awareness not more cases behind ADHD surge, study suggests
ADHD is not becoming more common despite the surge in people being diagnosed, research suggests. The review, led by King's College London, looked at 40 studies in 17 countries and found no clear evidence rates of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had risen since 2020, despite rising diagnoses and longer waits for assessment. Some blame greater social media use and the Covid pandemic for rising numbers developing the condition - but the researchers say greater awareness and acceptance were likely to be encouraging more people to seek help. There were no signs the true rate of ADHD, known as prevalence, was on the up, they added. Lead researcher Dr Alex Martin said it was likely to be a case of under-diagnosis of the condition in the first place. "ADHD prevalence in adults and children has remained largely stable since 2020," she added. In the UK, around 3 to 4% of adults and around 5% of children and young people are thought to have ADHD. Experts believe there are similar rates in other countries but only a fraction of these have been diagnosed. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition characterised by difficulties with concentration, energy levels, impulsiveness, or by a person's ability to manage their time. The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, comes as a national taskforce in England is looking at what this rising demand for support means across the NHS, education and justice sectors. Figures published last week by NHS England estimated there were nearly 2.5 million people in England with ADHD, with more than 550,000 currently waiting for an assessment. Every month 20,000 more people are referred for support, a 13% rise on this time last year. NHS England has admitted patients are waiting "too long for assessment and diagnosis". Patient watchdog Healthwatch England has also campaigned on the issue, calling for better support. A report it published last week highlighted how ADHD can lead to people struggling in work and education and emphasised the importance of them getting a diagnosis to help understand and manage their condition. One woman, Alex, told the watchdog a diagnosis had helped her find ways to manage better and opened up access to medication which meant she was better able to care for her daughter. "I just couldn't cope with normal things or keep a routine. It made living exhausting." But the 32-year-old was only able to get a diagnosis after paying for private support. "I'm lucky I could afford going private, but I know many people can't," she added. Henry Shelford, of ADHD UK, said the condition had been ignored for too long. "Increasing awareness and diagnosis is the key to unlocking the talents of over 2 million people in the UK. "Doing so isn't just good for the individual, it's economically positive for the entire country." Prof Edmund Sonuga-Barke, a fellow at the Academy of Medical Sciences and an ADHD expert at King's College London who was not involved in the research, said it was clear there had been a "chronic under-diagnosis" of ADHD in the UK. He said while ADHD medications were safe, there needed to be more progress in developing a greater range of non-drug treatments and therapies to help people self-manage their conditions. It comes amid criticism too many people are being placed on drugs to treat ADHD.
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Number of people with ADHD ‘probably isn't increasing that much'
Experts said that while there has been a rise in people being diagnosed with ADHD in the UK, the exact number is 'still probably lower than the best estimates' of the true number who have the condition. An increase in patients seeking assessments could possibly be down to greater awareness and less stigma, or disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Researchers also suggest spending a lot of time online could be creating a 'distracted generation', but that it is too early to draw conclusions. And while there is a link between social media and ADHD symptoms it is unclear 'what's driving what'. ADHD assessments are reported to be increasingly in demand, researchers said, which is putting a strain on health and education systems across the world. People with the neuro-developmental disorder may have trouble concentrating or sitting still, while other symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetfulness, finding it hard to follow instructions or organise time, and making impulsive decisions. Earlier this month, NHS England estimated for the first time that 2,498,000 people in England may have ADHD, which includes those without a diagnosis. Of the total, an estimated 741,000 are children and young people aged five to 24. And more than half a million people (549,000) were waiting for an ADHD assessment at the end of March 2025, up from 416,000 a year earlier, according to figures. The study, led by King's College London, aimed to update reviews on ADHD prevalence by examining global research from 2020 onwards. Academics looked at more than 9,000 studies, with 40 from across 17 different countries – one of which included data from 42 countries – included in the final analysis. Professor Philip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People at KCL's institute of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, said: 'It seems that our best evidence suggests that the true rate of ADHD probably isn't increasing that much. 'However, it's absolutely crystal clear that there is an increase in the number of people who are being clinically recognised or diagnosed as having ADHD in the United Kingdom. 'However, I will note that that rate is still probably lower than the best estimates we have of the rate of true ADHD in the population.' Dr Alex Martin, a lecturer in psychology and pandemic preparedness at KCL's institute of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, added: 'What we did find was that ADHD prevalence in adults and children has remained largely stable since 2020.' She said that some data being published is 'very much out of date', adding: 'This causes problems for healthcare policy makers internationally and means that services which are already under pressure may encounter increased demand without receiving additional support. According to Prof Shaw, the health service is 'playing catch-up' when it comes to ADHD, which he said could explain 'a marked uptick in the numbers of people seeking assessment'. Edmund Sonuga-Barke, a professor of developmental psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience at KCL, added there has been 'chronic under-recognition' in the history of ADHD, especially for certain groups and in particular women and girls. 'So part of the increase in diagnosis we've seen over the last 10 or so years is really a resetting or a recalibration, or a catch-up,' he said. Prof Shaw added: 'When I was at medical school and training as a psychiatrist, there was actually very little recognition of ADHD, particularly in young people and adults. 'Of course, there's both an increased recognition and – very welcome – less stigma around ADHD, which means that people are increasingly coming forward for assessment, and while we're working through that backlog, there are simply going to be long waiting lists.' Some other possibilities which Prof Shaw described as 'somewhat less likely' include a change in the threshold of how doctors diagnose ADHD and a shift in the understanding of the condition by children and young people. He added that his 'hunch' is that the 'huge awareness' of ADHD is 'that it's often used as a language of distress'. 'It's sometimes used, I suspect, the way that children and young people are expressing that they are struggling, particularly at school, and need help,' he said 'And of course, when a child is having problems that are impacting their life in a sustained way, they deserve a full mental health assessment. 'Even if the final diagnosis doesn't end up being ADHD, we may often, for example, find that this child is struggling with a problem with mood or anxiety.' Other societal issues could be driving the increase in assessments, including the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the use of social media. Prof Shaw said: 'Many of the skills of learning that kids have, how to focus, how to plan, how to organise themselves, has completely throw them out the loop for about two or three years, and this may well play a part in the uptick in the awareness and seeking of help for symptoms of inattention in particular. 'Many also point to a possible role for social media and the impacts it might be having on the developing brain. 'Now, for ADHD, there's a great degree of interest in the possibility that what's going on, is that the constant dividing of attention and multitasking online is creating, if you like, a distracted generation. 'We know there's an association between social media use and some symptoms of ADHD, but we don't know what's driving what, we don't know what's the chicken and what's the egg.' Prof Shaw said he has been 'struck' by some of his group's research findings into how 'variable' ADHD can be. He suggests ADHD 'is a dynamic challenge that changes with age'. Prof Sonuga-Barke added: 'I think the discovery that ADHD is a continuous risk dimension and not a fixed, natural category with clear biological boundaries may help explain why diagnostic rates are sensitive to changes in cultural values and beliefs, and clinical practices, and environmental risk exposures.'
Rhyl Journal
5 days ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Number of people with ADHD ‘probably isn't increasing that much'
Experts said that while there has been a rise in people being diagnosed with ADHD in the UK, the exact number is 'still probably lower than the best estimates' of the true number who have the condition. An increase in patients seeking assessments could possibly be down to greater awareness and less stigma, or disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Researchers also suggest spending a lot of time online could be creating a 'distracted generation', but that it is too early to draw conclusions. And while there is a link between social media and ADHD symptoms it is unclear 'what's driving what'. ADHD assessments are reported to be increasingly in demand, researchers said, which is putting a strain on health and education systems across the world. People with the neuro-developmental disorder may have trouble concentrating or sitting still, while other symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetfulness, finding it hard to follow instructions or organise time, and making impulsive decisions. Earlier this month, NHS England estimated for the first time that 2,498,000 people in England may have ADHD, which includes those without a diagnosis. Of the total, an estimated 741,000 are children and young people aged five to 24. And more than half a million people (549,000) were waiting for an ADHD assessment at the end of March 2025, up from 416,000 a year earlier, according to figures. The study, led by King's College London, aimed to update reviews on ADHD prevalence by examining global research from 2020 onwards. Academics looked at more than 9,000 studies, with 40 from across 17 different countries – one of which included data from 42 countries – included in the final analysis. Professor Philip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People at KCL's institute of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, said: 'It seems that our best evidence suggests that the true rate of ADHD probably isn't increasing that much. 'However, it's absolutely crystal clear that there is an increase in the number of people who are being clinically recognised or diagnosed as having ADHD in the United Kingdom. 'However, I will note that that rate is still probably lower than the best estimates we have of the rate of true ADHD in the population.' Dr Alex Martin, a lecturer in psychology and pandemic preparedness at KCL's institute of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, added: 'What we did find was that ADHD prevalence in adults and children has remained largely stable since 2020.' She said that some data being published is 'very much out of date', adding: 'This causes problems for healthcare policy makers internationally and means that services which are already under pressure may encounter increased demand without receiving additional support. According to Prof Shaw, the health service is 'playing catch-up' when it comes to ADHD, which he said could explain 'a marked uptick in the numbers of people seeking assessment'. Edmund Sonuga-Barke, a professor of developmental psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience at KCL, added there has been 'chronic under-recognition' in the history of ADHD, especially for certain groups and in particular women and girls. 'So part of the increase in diagnosis we've seen over the last 10 or so years is really a resetting or a recalibration, or a catch-up,' he said. Prof Shaw added: 'When I was at medical school and training as a psychiatrist, there was actually very little recognition of ADHD, particularly in young people and adults. 'Of course, there's both an increased recognition and – very welcome – less stigma around ADHD, which means that people are increasingly coming forward for assessment, and while we're working through that backlog, there are simply going to be long waiting lists.' Some other possibilities which Prof Shaw described as 'somewhat less likely' include a change in the threshold of how doctors diagnose ADHD and a shift in the understanding of the condition by children and young people. He added that his 'hunch' is that the 'huge awareness' of ADHD is 'that it's often used as a language of distress'. 'It's sometimes used, I suspect, the way that children and young people are expressing that they are struggling, particularly at school, and need help,' he said 'And of course, when a child is having problems that are impacting their life in a sustained way, they deserve a full mental health assessment. 'Even if the final diagnosis doesn't end up being ADHD, we may often, for example, find that this child is struggling with a problem with mood or anxiety.' Other societal issues could be driving the increase in assessments, including the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the use of social media. Prof Shaw said: 'Many of the skills of learning that kids have, how to focus, how to plan, how to organise themselves, has completely throw them out the loop for about two or three years, and this may well play a part in the uptick in the awareness and seeking of help for symptoms of inattention in particular. 'Many also point to a possible role for social media and the impacts it might be having on the developing brain. 'Now, for ADHD, there's a great degree of interest in the possibility that what's going on, is that the constant dividing of attention and multitasking online is creating, if you like, a distracted generation. 'We know there's an association between social media use and some symptoms of ADHD, but we don't know what's driving what, we don't know what's the chicken and what's the egg.' Prof Shaw said he has been 'struck' by some of his group's research findings into how 'variable' ADHD can be. He suggests ADHD 'is a dynamic challenge that changes with age'. Prof Sonuga-Barke added: 'I think the discovery that ADHD is a continuous risk dimension and not a fixed, natural category with clear biological boundaries may help explain why diagnostic rates are sensitive to changes in cultural values and beliefs, and clinical practices, and environmental risk exposures.'
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Health
- Powys County Times
Number of people with ADHD ‘probably isn't increasing that much'
The number of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 'probably isn't increasing that much', researchers have suggested, despite a 'marked uptick' in people seeking assessment for the condition. Experts said that while there has been a rise in people being diagnosed with ADHD in the UK, the exact number is 'still probably lower than the best estimates' of the true number who have the condition. An increase in patients seeking assessments could possibly be down to greater awareness and less stigma, or disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Researchers also suggest spending a lot of time online could be creating a 'distracted generation', but that it is too early to draw conclusions. And while there is a link between social media and ADHD symptoms it is unclear 'what's driving what'. ADHD assessments are reported to be increasingly in demand, researchers said, which is putting a strain on health and education systems across the world. People with the neuro-developmental disorder may have trouble concentrating or sitting still, while other symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetfulness, finding it hard to follow instructions or organise time, and making impulsive decisions. Earlier this month, NHS England estimated for the first time that 2,498,000 people in England may have ADHD, which includes those without a diagnosis. Of the total, an estimated 741,000 are children and young people aged five to 24. And more than half a million people (549,000) were waiting for an ADHD assessment at the end of March 2025, up from 416,000 a year earlier, according to figures. The study, led by King's College London, aimed to update reviews on ADHD prevalence by examining global research from 2020 onwards. Academics looked at more than 9,000 studies, with 40 from across 17 different countries – one of which included data from 42 countries – included in the final analysis. Professor Philip Shaw, director of the King's Maudsley Partnership for Children and Young People at KCL's institute of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, said: 'It seems that our best evidence suggests that the true rate of ADHD probably isn't increasing that much. 'However, it's absolutely crystal clear that there is an increase in the number of people who are being clinically recognised or diagnosed as having ADHD in the United Kingdom. 'However, I will note that that rate is still probably lower than the best estimates we have of the rate of true ADHD in the population.' Dr Alex Martin, a lecturer in psychology and pandemic preparedness at KCL's institute of psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience, added: 'What we did find was that ADHD prevalence in adults and children has remained largely stable since 2020.' She said that some data being published is 'very much out of date', adding: 'This causes problems for healthcare policy makers internationally and means that services which are already under pressure may encounter increased demand without receiving additional support. According to Prof Shaw, the health service is 'playing catch-up' when it comes to ADHD, which he said could explain 'a marked uptick in the numbers of people seeking assessment'. Edmund Sonuga-Barke, a professor of developmental psychology, psychiatry and neuroscience at KCL, added there has been 'chronic under-recognition' in the history of ADHD, especially for certain groups and in particular women and girls. 'So part of the increase in diagnosis we've seen over the last 10 or so years is really a resetting or a recalibration, or a catch-up,' he said. Prof Shaw added: 'When I was at medical school and training as a psychiatrist, there was actually very little recognition of ADHD, particularly in young people and adults. 'Of course, there's both an increased recognition and – very welcome – less stigma around ADHD, which means that people are increasingly coming forward for assessment, and while we're working through that backlog, there are simply going to be long waiting lists.' Some other possibilities which Prof Shaw described as 'somewhat less likely' include a change in the threshold of how doctors diagnose ADHD and a shift in the understanding of the condition by children and young people. He added that his 'hunch' is that the 'huge awareness' of ADHD is 'that it's often used as a language of distress'. 'It's sometimes used, I suspect, the way that children and young people are expressing that they are struggling, particularly at school, and need help,' he said 'And of course, when a child is having problems that are impacting their life in a sustained way, they deserve a full mental health assessment. 'Even if the final diagnosis doesn't end up being ADHD, we may often, for example, find that this child is struggling with a problem with mood or anxiety.' Other societal issues could be driving the increase in assessments, including the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the use of social media. Prof Shaw said: 'Many of the skills of learning that kids have, how to focus, how to plan, how to organise themselves, has completely throw them out the loop for about two or three years, and this may well play a part in the uptick in the awareness and seeking of help for symptoms of inattention in particular. 'Many also point to a possible role for social media and the impacts it might be having on the developing brain. 'Now, for ADHD, there's a great degree of interest in the possibility that what's going on, is that the constant dividing of attention and multitasking online is creating, if you like, a distracted generation. 'We know there's an association between social media use and some symptoms of ADHD, but we don't know what's driving what, we don't know what's the chicken and what's the egg.' Prof Shaw said he has been 'struck' by some of his group's research findings into how 'variable' ADHD can be. He suggests ADHD 'is a dynamic challenge that changes with age'. Prof Sonuga-Barke added: 'I think the discovery that ADHD is a continuous risk dimension and not a fixed, natural category with clear biological boundaries may help explain why diagnostic rates are sensitive to changes in cultural values and beliefs, and clinical practices, and environmental risk exposures.'
