A recent study indicates that the actual prevalence of ADHD in England hasn’t significantly increased, despite a notable rise in individuals seeking assessments. This surge is attributed to heightened public awareness, reduced stigma, and potential pandemic-related disruptions. Researchers also highlight the ambiguous relationship between social media usage and ADHD symptoms, noting it’s unclear whether online activity exacerbates symptoms or if individuals with ADHD are more inclined towards such platforms.
While formal diagnoses have surpassed 800,000, this figure remains below the estimated 2.5 million people in England who likely have ADHD. The growing demand for assessments has overwhelmed NHS services, leading to prolonged waiting times and prompting many to seek private evaluations. In response, NHS England has established a cross-sector ADHD taskforce to address these challenges and improve care provision.
Source: The Independent
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