Why an ADHD diagnosis is important for neurodiverse wellbeing: benefits and insights

Across the UK, rates of ADHD diagnoses in both adults and children have seen a notable increase over the past decade¹. For many, this reflects progress: improved public awareness, reduced stigma, and broader understanding² of how ADHD presents beyond the hyperactive stereotypes of childhood.

Greater recognition among clinicians, combined with evolving diagnostic criteria, has allowed more individuals to finally access the support they’ve long needed. ADHD is now better understood as a neurodevelopmental condition³ that can affect focus, regulation, and executive functioning, regardless of age or gender.

However, the rise has also sparked discussion, with some expressing concerns regarding the risks of over-pathologising normal variation in attention or behaviour⁴.

Clinically, the answer lies in balance. Shifts in education systems, increased demands on cognitive performance, long waiting lists⁵, and the growing presence of digital health platforms have all contributed to the current diagnostic landscape. The overarching trend points to a population finally receiving long-overdue recognition⁶ and, crucially, the opportunity for appropriate treatment and care.

As diagnosis rates rise, it becomes even more important to fully understand what ADHD truly is – and what it isn’t. Beyond distraction or impulsivity, ADHD is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that can impact multiple aspects of daily life, often in ways that are misunderstood or overlooked.

Do you know someone managing ADHD in their day-to-day life? Make a referral today →

Understanding ADHD: more than attention issues

While commonly associated with inattention, hyperactivity, or restlessness, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is far more nuanced. It can affect working memory, time management, emotional regulation, decision-making, and impulse control⁷.

For many – especially adults – these symptoms may present subtly, contributing to relationship difficulties, professional challenges, and chronic stress without ever being linked to a neurodevelopmental cause.

There are three recognised presentations: inattentive, hyperactive-impulsive, and combined.

→ Inattentive ADHD, for instance, may manifest as forgetfulness, daydreaming, or difficulty prioritising: traits often dismissed as ‘personality quirks’ or poor organisation.

Without an accurate diagnosis, individuals may internalise blame or seek unhelpful coping mechanisms⁸, sometimes including substance use as a form of self-medication.

Importantly, ADHD can also frequently overlap with other conditions such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and learning differences, which can mask or mimic its symptoms. That’s why a robust, evidence-based diagnostic process – led by experienced multidisciplinary clinicians – is essential for clarity and appropriate care.

The cost of undiagnosed ADHD

Undiagnosed ADHD can carry significant personal and social consequences.

In the UK, studies have linked untreated ADHD with higher rates of school exclusion, unemployment, and relationship breakdown, among other impacts⁹. Research published in The Lancet Psychiatry¹⁰ highlights that adults with undiagnosed ADHD are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, substance misuse, and poor physical health outcomes.

Presenter and writer Sue Perkins, who was diagnosed as an adult, reflected¹¹:

“”[An ADHD diagnosis] was useful to have. I now understand why some things make me very upset and stressed. I understand why I lose everything, why I can’t prepare for things, why I don’t like repetition.”

Why an accurate diagnosis matters

A timely and accurate ADHD diagnosis provides more than just a label; it opens the door to appropriate, tailored treatment. This may include:

• Medication (as appropriate)
• Psychological support (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
• Workplace accommodations
• Lifestyle interventions (to improve daily functioning and long-term wellbeing)

Accurate diagnosis also helps differentiate ADHD from other mental health conditions with overlapping symptoms – such as anxiety, depression, or trauma – which can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment if not correctly identified.

In the UK, NICE guidelines underscore the importance of multidisciplinary assessments, ensuring diagnoses are made in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5¹²) or ICD-11¹³ criteria by trained professionals.

 At Harbor London, we follow a gold-standard, evidence-led diagnostic process, giving each client the clarity, support, and pathway to care they deserve. Contact us to learn more.

Diagnosing ADHD: a thorough and expert-led process

At Harbor London, diagnosing ADHD is never based on surface-level assessments. We take a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach grounded in NICE guidelines and informed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) and ICD-11 criteria.

1. Our process includes detailed developmental history, behavioural observation, and validated psychometric tools, alongside input from family or significant others where appropriate.

2. This ensures we can accurately distinguish ADHD from conditions that may mimic its symptoms – such as anxiety, trauma-related disorders, or executive dysfunction from depression.

3. Our expert clinicians, including psychiatrists and psychologists with experience in neurodevelopmental disorders, ensure every diagnosis is comprehensive, personalised, and rooted in best clinical practice.

The goal is clarity, not classification; for each client to fully understand their cognitive profile and how it relates to their lived experience.

ADHD in adults: a frequently missed diagnosis

ADHD is often still misunderstood as a childhood condition¹⁴. But for many, symptoms persist into adulthood, impacting attention, emotional regulation, and executive functioning. In the UK, awareness of adult ADHD is growing¹⁵, but diagnosis remains frequently missed or delayed.

Adults may have developed coping strategies that mask symptoms¹⁶, or they may be misdiagnosed with depression, anxiety, or personality disorders. Inattentive ADHD (where hyperactivity is less pronounced) is particularly likely to go unnoticed, especially in women and girls.

A late diagnosis can feel like finally switching on the light in a room you’ve always found it challenging  to navigate¹⁷. Ultimately, specialist adult ADHD assessments that recognise the complexity of late-diagnosed neurodiversity offer a clearer route to support, understanding, and tailored care.

Diagnosis as a gateway to better wellbeing

From a whole-person perspective, an ADHD diagnosis is important primarily because it brings clarity, validation, and direction. An accurate diagnosis allows individuals to understand the root of their struggles – whether in focus, organisation, relationships, or emotional regulation – and begin evidence-based ADHD treatment that can improve quality of life in all areas of life.

Left unrecognised, ADHD can contribute to poor mental health, underachievement, substance use, and reduced self-esteem¹⁸. Diagnosed and supported, individuals can access personalised, expert-led interventions such as CBT, coaching, dietetics and nutrition, medication, mindfulness and meditation, or workplace adjustments; moving from frustration, to empowerment.

We welcome referrals from GPs, psychiatrists, psychologists, and allied professionals seeking specialist ADHD assessment and care for their patients. If you’re supporting someone who may benefit from an expert-led evaluation, our multidisciplinary team is here to help: discreetly, compassionately, and clinically.

References

1. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/jul/significant-rise-adhd-diagnoses-uk
2. https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/#:~:text=To%20provide%20reliable%20information%20and,affecting%20all%20ages%20and%20communities.
3. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/the-british-journal-of-psychiatry/article/adhd-is-best-understood-as-a-cultural-construct/6A2C79B3CD1D4D2627F3EE4C3DF3FBAF
4. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/adhd-drugs-medication-treatment-fmdtsv0mt
5. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/jan/13/adhd-services-swamped-say-experts-as-more-uk-women-seek-diagnosis
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204gwvkzrdo
7. https://adhduk.co.uk/about-adhd/
8. https://www.additudemag.com/defense-mechanisms-adhd-blaming-lying/?srsltid=AfmBOopkampBlxGXQW9M809Sk0N3cakImN5DbxHnbWAqwwmMdX3hlwjC
9. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11151783/
10. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)33004-1/fulltext
11. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/sue-perkins-adhd-diagnosis-excuse-b2728822.html
12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519712/table/ch3.t3/
13. https://icd.who.int/
14. https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/biology-development-and-behavior/202309/the-misunderstood-adhd-struggles
15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgv9zj9n7ro
16. https://www.additudemag.com/adhd-masking-signs-consequences-solutions/
17. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-67480749

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10498662/