All articles tagged with #adhd
A 607-page UK government review led by Prof Peter Fonagy finds that while mental health distress is genuinely rising among youth, ADHD and autism diagnoses are likely outpacing true prevalence rates. The report urges a shift from diagnostic gatekeeping to functional support, criticizing long NHS waits and unregulated private assessments.
A 607-page government review in England warns that rising diagnoses of ADHD and autism may be outpacing true prevalence, risking over-diagnosis. It highlights severe NHS waiting lists, with over 800,000 people awaiting assessments, and criticizes the reliance on formal diagnoses to access support. The report recommends shifting to a 'needs-led' system, tightening regulation of private clinics, and addressing the root causes of youth distress, such as economic uncertainty and social media.
A large Japanese longitudinal study reveals that autism and ADHD traits lead to different mental health outcomes through distinct social pathways. While autistic traits strongly predict peer difficulties and internalizing issues like anxiety, ADHD traits are linked to academic struggles and externalizing behaviors. The research highlights bidirectional cycles where social problems worsen neurodevelopmental traits over time, suggesting that early intervention in schools and families could break these self-reinforcing loops.
A large retrospective study from the University of Pittsburgh finds that adults with ADHD are four times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia later in life. Analyzing over 187,000 participants aged 50 and older, researchers found that 6.7% of those with ADHD developed cognitive issues compared to 3.4% of those without. The link persisted even when accounting for age, sex, and other health conditions, and was supported by genetic data, suggesting a biological association rather than a diagnostic artifact. While the study does not prove causation, experts urge regular cognitive monitoring for older adults with ADHD and emphasize healthy lifestyle habits to mitigate risk.
A new study published in Psychological Medicine reveals that methylphenidate improves decision-making in adults with ADHD specifically by enhancing their sensitivity to negative consequences, rather than by increasing reward motivation or slowing down response times.
Emerging research suggests a significant link between ADHD and delayed circadian rhythms, often referred to as being a 'night owl.' A 2025 review indicates that adults with ADHD experience melatonin onset approximately 90 minutes later than the general population, while children show a delay of about 45 minutes. This biological timing difference may explain why many individuals with ADHD struggle with early mornings and school schedules, shifting the focus from behavioral discipline to physiological timing.
A new meta-analysis of 29 brain imaging studies reveals that ADHD and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) involve opposite patterns of brain activity in the same deep brain regions when processing rewards. While ADHD is associated with heightened activity in the amygdala and putamen, ASD shows reduced activity in these areas. These divergent neural responses help explain why individuals with ADHD often struggle with impulse control due to over-sensitivity to immediate rewards, whereas those with ASD may exhibit reduced drive for social rewards. The findings, published in Molecular Psychiatry, provide a biological framework for understanding the distinct behavioral challenges associated with each condition, despite their frequent co-occurrence and overlapping symptoms.
The practice of 'tossing'—immediately discarding clutter without sorting—is a common response to executive dysfunction in individuals with ADHD. While it provides instant relief from overwhelm, experts warn it can lead to the loss of important items and fails to build long-term distress tolerance. Therapists recommend breaking tasks into smaller steps, such as the '10 Things Game,' and practicing self-compassion to manage the underlying anxiety that drives this behavior.
A new study in the Journal of Attention Disorders finds that adults with ADHD view their condition more positively if they experience high levels of hyperactivity and impulsivity, but less positively if their symptoms are primarily inattentive. Researchers developed a new scale to measure these attitudes, confirming that the 'silver lining' of ADHD is not universal but depends heavily on the specific symptom profile.
Graphic designer Andrew Bell explains how his transition from full-time agency roles to freelancing, and back again, helped him identify the specific working conditions required for his inattentive ADHD. After being diagnosed in early 2026, Bell realized that his previous struggles with procrastination and lack of focus were not personal failures but symptoms of a mismatch between his brain and his environment. He now relies on external structures, such as fixed routines and visual timers, to manage his work. This understanding allowed him to return to full-time employment at the studio Ilka, where he found a culture of trust and transparency that supports his needs. The narrative highlights how freelance periods can serve as experiments to discover sustainable work habits for neurodivergent individuals.
Alkermes has presented Phase 1b data for ALKS 7290, an orexin agonist, showing significant symptom reduction in adults with ADHD. The drug, which mimics the brain protein orexin, demonstrated efficacy in a small trial, with patients showing improved scores on standard rating scales. The company is rapidly advancing the drug into Phase 2 trials and views it as a potential 'company changer' alongside its existing narcolepsy pipeline. While early results are promising, the trial was not designed for statistical efficacy testing, and the drug is currently considered overvalued by some financial metrics despite positive analyst ratings.
A government-commissioned review proposes a needs-based, triage approach to ADHD and autism services in the NHS, offering targeted early support without formal diagnoses for milder cases and referring only those who would benefit from medication to clinics. Critics say it effectively rationes care and risks driving people to self-diagnose, while supporters argue early non-diagnostic help in schools and workplaces can help. The final report is due soon amid long NHS waiting lists and calls to curb rising diagnoses and costs.
A large ADHD study of 5,138 children found that while higher overall IQ is linked to fewer ADHD symptoms, its components tell a more complex story: higher verbal IQ is associated with less inattention but greater impulsivity, and higher performance IQ shows a nonlinear, age-dependent relationship with impulsivity (lower in early childhood, rising again in adolescence). Brain imaging connected verbal IQ to a larger rostral anterior cingulate cortex and showed a nonlinear association between performance IQ and brain surface area. Segmenting the sample by functional impairment revealed three groups where high IQ did not eliminate social or academic problems. As an observational study, the findings show associations, not causation, and researchers call for ADHD-focused brain imaging and further work to understand how intelligence and impulsivity interact across development.
A review of 134 studies (over 151,000 participants) finds that using “neurodivergent” as a catch-all label is problematic. The research shows almost 20 diagnoses linked to neurodivergence, with autism and ADHD most common, but many studies rely on self-identification or mix up “neurodivergent” and “neurodiverse.” Since neurodiversity is a group concept while neurodivergent describes an individual, and there’s no single test to distinguish neurodivergent from neurotypical, broad labels can obscure specific needs, misinform care and policy, and risk stigma. The authors argue for diagnosis-specific language in clinical research and healthcare, while acknowledging that identity terms can have social value.
A large systematic review of 23 studies covering about 1.9 million people links ADHD to a 48% higher odds of experiencing functional gastrointestinal symptoms (eg, IBS, constipation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, encopresis). While the exact cause isn’t established, potential factors include ADHD-related stress and emotional dysregulation, irregular eating, sensory food sensitivities, interoception differences, stimulant medications, sleep disturbances, and gut microbiome differences. Clinicians should consider GI symptoms when managing ADHD, as these issues can significantly affect quality of life.