England's ADHD diagnosis rates remain far below estimated prevalence, study shows

A study analysing primary‑care records of more than 3.5 million people in England found that only 1.19 % had a recorded ADHD diagnosis in 2025, well below international estimates of 3 %–5 %. The gap was especially large among older adults, with just 0.05 % of those aged 65 and over diagnosed. Lead author Dr Amber John said the low rates in older cohorts likely reflect historic under‑recognition rather than true rarity. Diagnoses have risen since 2020, particularly in boys under 18 and adult women, but remain lower than expected across all age groups, prompting concerns for service planning.

Separately, child psychiatrist Dr Mukesh Kripalani outlined four common physical indicators of ADHD in children: persistent motor activity, subtle fidgeting (e.g., hair twirling, nail biting), difficulty respecting physical boundaries, and physical symptoms such as stomach‑aches or headaches linked to mental fatigue. These observations underscore the broader issue of ADHD being under‑recognised in the UK population.