Nisha Pandey

Amid Increasing Cases, 7 Out Of 10 GPs In The UK Say Adult ADHD Is Overdiagnosed

Amid Increasing Cases, 7 Out Of 10 GPs Say Adult ADHD Is Overdiagnosed

Seven in 10 general practitioners in the United Kingdom believe adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/adhd">ADHD</a>) is being overdiagnosed, according to a survey of 829 doctors.

The observation has reignited debate over the dramatic increase in adult ADHD referrals and diagnoses. 

The survey, conducted by GP publication Pulse, found that 410 GPs described adult ADHD as “very overdiagnosed” while 173 considered it “slightly overdiagnosed”.

Only 50 said it was diagnosed about right, while 148 believed it was underdiagnosed to some degree. 

Pulse said that the survey should be viewed as a GP's opinion rather than a proven scientific estimate of overdiagnosis.

The survey also found that GPs estimated an average of 81.3% of patients they referred to adult ADHD services eventually received a positive diagnosis. 

But that figure does not mean that 81% of people with suspected ADHD have it. These patients had already been referred for an assessment by a specialist, meaning they had passed through an initial clinical screening process. 

<h2>Doctors Are Concerned About ADHD Overdiagnosis In Adults </h2>

Some GPs responding to the survey raised concerns that assessments may sometimes be too narrow and focus on identifying ADHD without considering other conditions that can cause similar symptoms that could overlap with <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/why-adhd-in-women-is-often-misdiagnosed-as-anxiety-article-151193543" data-type="tilCustomLink">ADHD</a>. These can include anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental health conditions.

One GP told Pulse that they were concerned about “superficial” assessments and whether patients’ histories of trauma or adverse childhood experiences were being considered accurately.

There are also concerns around the growing use of private assessment providers. Some GPs surveyed said they believed positive diagnosis rates were higher among private providers than NHS services, although these are individual doctors’ observations rather than evidence represented nationally. 

At the same time, Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the BMA's GP committee, argued that a high positive diagnosis rate among referred patients is not necessarily evidence of overdiagnosis. 

She said lengthy NHS waits may mean that only people who remain convinced that ADHD is affecting them significantly eventually reach assessment. 

She also pointed to changing understanding of ADHD, including how it can present in women and adults, as one reason more people are being recognised.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/botox-and-fillers-uk-watchdog-says-clinics-should-check-mental-health-before-injecting-article-156177063" data-type="tilCustomLink">Botox And Fillers: UK Watchdog Says Clinics Should Check Mental Health Before Injecting</a>

An interim report from the UK government's independent review of ADHD, autism and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/depression-bipolar-ocd-real-meanings-of-these-mental-health-terms-loosely-used-article-151045634" data-type="tilCustomLink">mental health conditions</a> said recorded ADHD diagnoses in England have increased, particularly among younger adults and women.

The NHS's independent ADHD Taskforce has previously estimated adult ADHD prevalence at around 2-3%, while recorded diagnoses were significantly lower in earlier datasets. The taskforce concluded that under-recognition remained a problem. 

The Royal College of Psychiatrists has also agreed that the rise in diagnoses should not be automatically interpreted as overdiagnoses of ADHD.

It has pointed to other factors like better awareness and improved recognition, while also addressing concerns about online self-assessment that may not be always accurate. 

The government review therefore says that the current situation is more complex than simply labelling ADHD as either overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. It highlights the lack of recent, large-scale representative data measuring adult ADHD prevalence in England. 

On the other hand, demand for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/adult-adhd-how-does-it-impact-peoples-lives-article-151048297" data-type="tilCustomLink">ADHD treatment</a> continues to climb. NHS figures cited by Pulse show prescriptions for ADHD medicines increased by 29% between July 2025 and June 2026 compared with the previous 12 months, with an average of 238,000 patients receiving these medicines each month.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/adhd-your-pupils-may-explain-how-the-brain-handles-attention-says-new-indian-study-article-156152018" data-type="tilCustomLink">ADHD: Your Pupils May Explain How The Brain Handles Attention, Says New Indian Study</a>

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For people asking themselves if they might have ADHD, one must look to medical sources over social media popularity. The NHS says that <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/adhd-debunking-common-misconceptions-about-adhd-article-151001780" data-type="tilCustomLink">signs of ADHD</a> in adults are most often:

<ul><li>Difficulty with organization and time management</li><li>Having trouble with following instructions</li><li>Having trouble keeping one's focus on tasks and seeing them through</li><li>Feeling restless or being impatient</li><li>Risk-taking and being impulsive</li><li>Trouble in relationships or in social situations</li></ul>

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ADHD

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

adhd adults

adhd symptoms

Royal College of Psychiatrists

GP publication Pulse

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Gut Microbiome Linked To 3x Higher Type 1 Diabetes Risk In Children

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Seven in 10 general practitioners in the United Kingdom believe adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is being overdiagnosed, according to a survey of 829 doctors. The observation has reignited debate over the dramatic increase in adult ADHD referrals and diagnoses. The survey, conducted by GP publication Pulse, found that 410 GPs described adult ADHD as “very overdiagnosed” while 173 considered it “slightly overdiagnosed”. Only 50 said it was diagnosed about right, while 148 believed it was underdiagnosed to some degree. Pulse said that the survey should be viewed as a GP's opinion rather than a proven scientific estimate of overdiagnosis. The survey also found that GPs estimated an average of 81.3% of patients they referred to adult ADHD services eventually received a positive diagnosis. But that figure does not mean that 81% of people with suspected ADHD have it. These patients had already been referred for an assessment by a specialist, meaning they had passed through an initial clinical screening process. Doctors Are Concerned About ADHD Overdiagnosis In Adults Some GPs responding to the survey raised concerns that assessments may sometimes be too narrow and focus on identifying ADHD without considering other conditions that can cause similar symptoms that could overlap with ADHD. These can include anxiety, depression, trauma and other mental health conditions. One GP told Pulse that they were concerned about “superficial” assessments and whether patients’ histories of trauma or adverse childhood experiences were being considered accurately. There are also concerns around the growing use of private assessment providers. Some GPs surveyed said they believed positive diagnosis rates were higher among private providers than NHS services, although these are individual doctors’ observations rather than evidence represented nationally. At the same time, Dr Katie Bramall, chair of the BMA's GP committee, argued that a high positive diagnosis rate among referred patients is not necessarily evidence of overdiagnosis. She said lengthy NHS waits may mean that only people who remain convinced that ADHD is affecting them significantly eventually reach assessment. She also pointed to changing understanding of ADHD, including how it can present in women and adults, as one reason more people are being recognised.Also read: Botox And Fillers: UK Watchdog Says Clinics Should Check Mental Health Before InjectingIs ADHD Being Overdiagnosed? An interim report from the UK government's independent review of ADHD, autism and mental health conditions said recorded ADHD diagnoses in England have increased, particularly among younger adults and women. The NHS's independent ADHD Taskforce has previously estimated adult ADHD prevalence at around 2-3%, while recorded diagnoses were significantly lower in earlier datasets. The taskforce concluded that under-recognition remained a problem. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has also agreed that the rise in diagnoses should not be automatically interpreted as overdiagnoses of ADHD. It has pointed to other factors like better awareness and improved recognition, while also addressing concerns about online self-assessment that may not be always accurate. The government review therefore says that the current situation is more complex than simply labelling ADHD as either overdiagnosed or underdiagnosed. It highlights the lack of recent, large-scale representative data measuring adult ADHD prevalence in England. On the other hand, demand for ADHD treatment continues to climb. NHS figures cited by Pulse show prescriptions for ADHD medicines increased by 29% between July 2025 and June 2026 compared with the previous 12 months, with an average of 238,000 patients receiving these medicines each month.Also read: ADHD: Your Pupils May Explain How The Brain Handles Attention, Says New Indian StudySigns of ADHD                  For people asking themselves if they might have ADHD, one must look to medical sources over social media popularity. The NHS says that signs of ADHD in adults are most often:Difficulty with organization and time managementHaving trouble with following instructionsHaving trouble keeping one's focus on tasks and seeing them throughFeeling restless or being impatientRisk-taking and being impulsiveTrouble in relationships or in social situations