ADHD myth buster for Neurodiversity Celebration Week: Condition is not 'over-diagnosed' say Priory Psychiatrists
Date: 17th March 2025
Common ADHD myths busted:
- ADHD is underdiagnosed, not over-diagnosed, especially in women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds
- ADHD affects adults as well as children
- ADHD affects women and girls, as well as men and boys
- ADHD is a neurological condition, not a mental health illness
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is not ‘over-diagnosed’, and this common misconception leads to fewer people seeking the diagnoses they need to improve their daily lives, according to consultant psychiatrists at Priory.
Priory clinicians spoke out to bust myths on ADHD during Neurodiversity Celebration Week (17-23 March), in the hope that greater understanding across society will improve the lives of people with ADHD.
Dr Samir Shah, medical director at Priory Hospital Altrincham, said: “ADHD is a not a mental health illness; it is a neurological condition that affects how people focus, manage their impulses and control their energy levels. It is common in adults as well as children and significantly impacts people’s daily lives.
“There has been an increase in people seeking diagnosis for ADHD across society in recent years, and as a result we often hear people say that ADHD is over-diagnosed, but in reality, it remains under-diagnosed, especially in women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“This mis-conception can discourage people from believing they have ADHD, leading to fewer people seeking a diagnosis which would help them better understand, manage and even celebrate their neurodiversity.”
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence estimates the global prevalence of ADHD in children to be around 5%, and in adults in the UK at 3% – 4%. NHS England reports that its data is likely to significantly underrepresent the number of people with a diagnosis of ADHD, as well as the number of people seeking or waiting for a diagnosis.
Dr Adarsh Dharendra, consultant psychiatrist at Priory Hospital Woking, said: “We’ve seen huge improvement in public awareness and understanding of ADHD in recent years. Yet it remains widely misunderstood.
“Contrary to common misconceptions about ADHD, parenting style or ‘too much screen time’ in childhood cannot cause ADHD. Often people think of ADHD as an IQ related disorder, which again, is not true. Another misconception is that it only affects boys, or can only affect someone in their childhood.
“Misconceptions are a problem because they impact how people with ADHD are perceived by others, or even how they perceive themselves.”
What are 6 common signs of ADHD in adults?
Difficulty focusing
Priory consultant psychiatrist Dr Shah, said: “Adults with ADHD often find it hard to concentrate, especially on tasks that are boring or repetitive. Their mind may wander, or they may feel easily distracted.”
Struggles with time management
Dr Shah said: “Many adults with ADHD have trouble managing their time. They may procrastinate, miss deadlines, or underestimate how long tasks will take.”
Impulsivity
Dr Shah said: “People with ADHD can be very impulsive, often making unusually quick decisions without thinking them through, or struggling to wait their turn in conversations or activities.”
Strong and volatile emotions
Dr Shah said: “Adults with ADHD may feel emotions like frustration, anger, or excitement very intensely. They might overreact to small problems or feel overwhelmed easily.”
Forgetfulness and disorganization
Dr Shah said: “Forgetting appointments, losing important items, or having messy spaces are common struggles for people with ADHD. This is not because they don’t care but because ADHD makes organisation harder.”
Hyperfocus
Dr Shah said: “While ADHD is often linked to a lack of focus, some people with ADHD experience hyperfocus. This means they can get so absorbed in a task or activity that they lose track of time and forget about other responsibilities.”
ADHD is not always easy to identify, and will differ from person to person, according to Dr Shah. He added: “Some signs of ADHD are less obvious. For example, people with ADHD might always be late or have a poor sense of time. They might feel stuck when starting tasks, even if they know they are important.
“Overthinking or being a perfectionist can also be a sign, as people may spend too much time on small details. ADHD can also cause relationship challenges, like miscommunications or emotional outbursts. Some people with ADHD may be very sensitive to criticism and feel deeply hurt by feedback.”
Dr Dharendra said: “If ADHD symptoms are making daily life difficult, it’s a good idea to talk to a professional. Simple screening tests for ADHD offer a very easy indication as to whether a person needs further diagnostic assessment or not.”
Post diagnosis, it has been proven that ADHD medication can lead to significantly improved quality of life for people, while ADHD coaching and therapy options are designed to support people to better understand their neurodiversity and to the techniques manage it.
Dr Shah added: “ADHD is under-diagnosed and a diagnosis can make a huge difference to people’s lives, so even if you or a loved one are just curious about ADHD and whether you might have the condition, a professional can provide clarity and support.”
Dr Shah further explains ADHD in a Priory ‘Perspectives’ panel discussion, entitled ‘What’s behind the rise in ADHD and autism’, available via the Priory website and YouTube channel.
ENDS
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About Priory and MEDIAN Group
Priory is the UK’s largest independent provider of mental health and adult social care services. Priory treats more than 70 conditions, including depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, as well as children’s mental health, across its nationwide network of sites. Priory also supports autistic adults and adults with a learning disability, Prader-Willi Syndrome and brain injuries, as well as older people, within specialist residential care and supported living facilities – helping as many people as possible to live their lives.
Priory is part of the MEDIAN Group, the leading European provider of high-quality mental health and rehabilitation services. The MEDIAN Group comprises: Priory in the UK with 280 facilities and 5,000 beds caring for 28,000 people, MEDIAN in Germany with 120 facilities and 18,000 beds caring for 256,000 patients, and Hestia in Spain with 14 facilities and 2,000 beds caring for 10,000 people in Spain, with more than 30,000 employees across the group.