ADHD symptoms to look for as NHS says staggering number of people in England have disorder

The NHS has estimated the number of people with ADHD in England for the first time

The NHS has revealed the staggering number of people it estimates have ADHD in England.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms that affect a person's focus and organisation.

The condition can affect both children and adults, but it often manifests in ways that are harder to identify as we get older. Because many of the symptoms of ADHD also overlap with those of many other conditions, misdiagnosis is not uncommon.

NHS England estimates that almost 2.5 million people in England are likely to have ADHD, including those without a diagnosis.

It is the first time an estimate has been made publicly available of how common the condition may be among the population.

Of this 2,498,000 people, an estimated 741,000 are children and young people aged five to 24, figures suggest.

The figures are based on estimates from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which suggests that around three to four per cent of adults and five per cent of children and young people have ADHD.

The NHS figures also suggest that more than half a million people (549,000) in England were waiting for an ADHD assessment at the end of March 2025 – up from 416,000 a year earlier at the end of March 2024.

Louise Ansari, chief executive at Healthwatch England, said the figures are "a first step in understanding the scale of demand for ADHD care".

She added: "Our new research highlights that many people with ADHD may simply be going without support. Long waits for assessments are one of the reasons people who show ADHD traits don’t seek help, while those waiting for an assessment struggle to navigate the long waits.

"While we welcome today’s publication, however, there is a way to go to ensure data is comprehensive and robust. A move to official waiting list data in the longer term would give a clearer picture of waiting times, including who is experiencing the longest waits and why."

Common symptoms of ADHD

The symptoms of ADHD tend to be more subtle in adults than in children, especially since many adults have developed coping mechanisms over the course of their lives.

These subtle signs could include frequent forgetfulness to feeling overwhelmed by everyday tasks.

According to the NHS, symptoms associated with ADHD in adults include:

• Carelessness and lack of attention to detail
• Frequently starting new tasks before finishing old ones
• Poor organisational skills
• Inability to focus or prioritise
• Frequently losing or misplacing things
• Forgetfulness
• Restlessness
• Difficulty keeping quiet and often interrupting others

A child or young person with ADHD may show signs of being inattentive, such as:

• Being easily distracted
• Finding it hard to listen to what people are saying or to follow instructions
• Forgetting everyday tasks, like brushing their teeth or putting on socks

The NHS says they may show signs of being hyperactive and impulsive, including:

• Having high energy levels
• Fidgeting or tapping their hands and feet
• Talking noisily
• Feeling restless, or getting up and moving around when they’re supposed to sit still
• Finding it hard to wait their turn, or interrupting conversations

ADHD can also be mistaken for common mental health problems. People with ADHD may also be more susceptible to anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

The NHS advises seeing your GP if you think you may have ADHD. They may refer you for a specialist assessment.