If you’ve been following ADHD research over the past year, you might be wondering: what have we actually learned that could affect real people’s lives? Well, buckle up, because 2024–2025 has been a busy period for ADHD science, and the insights are both exciting and a little surprising.
Smarter, Faster, and More Accurate Diagnoses
One of the biggest breakthroughs is in diagnosis. Machine learning and EEGs (electroencephalogram, a test that measures the brain’s electrical activity) are giving clinicians tools that could detect ADHD earlier and with more precision. For example, the SSRepL -ADHD (Self Supervised Representation Learning- ADHD) model can spot ADHD patterns from brainwave activity during attention tasks with over 80% accuracy*. And if that’s not enough sci-fi, some researchers are using AI to read narrative transcripts and figure out whether someone has ADHD.
What this tells us: we’re moving away from purely subjective checklists towards a more data-driven approach. For people who have spent years bouncing between doctors without a clear diagnosis, this is a huge step forward.
*Whilst admitting some imbalances in the data set.
ADHD in Women is Finally Getting Noticed
It’s no secret that ADHD has been underdiagnosed in women. The past year of research reinforced that idea: women often display inattentive symptoms rather than hyperactive ones, which means their struggles can fly under the radar.
So here’s the takeaway: awareness matters. More clinicians are recognising the subtle signs, which could mean faster diagnoses and more tailored support for women who have been overlooked for decades.
ADHD is More than “Just Behaviour”
Genetics and neurobiology are painting a more complex picture. ADHD shares genetic links with dyslexia and dyscalculia, which suggests these conditions aren’t isolated—they’re part of a bigger cognitive puzzle. On the neurological side, sensory processing issues can ripple out and affect attention, decision-making, and daily life.
The real-world implication? ADHD isn’t just “fidgety kids” or “daydreaming adults.” It’s a multi-layered condition that affects the brain in diverse ways, which explains why treatments need to be just as multifaceted.
Beyond Pills: New Treatments and Strategies
Speaking of treatments, there’s a lot happening beyond the standard stimulant medications. Yes, stimulants are still widely used—but new labelling in the U.S. warns about weight loss and side effects in very young children, reminding us that one size doesn’t fit all.
Non-invasive therapies like trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) are now approved for children aged 7–12 in the U.S., and adults are being studied too. Add to that lifestyle interventions like structured physical activity and techniques such as “body doubling”, where you work alongside someone else to stay focused, and suddenly ADHD management looks a lot more varied and flexible.
ADHD is Everywhere—and Undiagnosed
The numbers speak for themselves. In England, prescriptions for ADHD have risen by 18% each year since the pandemic, and around 2.5 million people are thought to have ADHD. But here’s the kicker: only about a third have a formal diagnosis.
This tells us two things: first, awareness is increasing (thank you, social media!), and second, there’s still a huge gap between who has ADHD and who gets proper support.
So, What’s the Big Picture?
The last 12 months of research tell us that ADHD is complex, under-recognised, and increasingly understood in nuanced ways. We’re seeing smarter diagnostics, better recognition of overlooked groups, new treatment options, and a more holistic understanding of the condition.
For anyone living with ADHD—or supporting someone who does—the message is clear: science is catching up, and there’s hope for more personalised care, earlier diagnoses, and strategies that actually fit people’s lives.
References (for the curious)
• arXiv (2025a) SSRepL-ADHD: Adaptive Complex Representation Learning Framework for ADHD Detection from Visual Attention Tasks. [online] Available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/2502.00376 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• arXiv (2025b) Large language models and machine learning for ADHD detection. [online] Available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.21324 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
arXiv (2025c) Effects of structured physical activity on executive function in ADHD. [online] Available at: https://arxiv.org/abs/2503.09079 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• Du, C., Zhao, D. Z., & Ganti, L. (2025) Prevalence of Undiagnosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Health Psychology Research, 13, 128096. [online] Available at: https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.128096 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• Financial Times (2025) ADHD prevalence and diagnosis in England. [online] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/a620597a-d36f-4fd2-9941-41784f807eb4 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• NIMH (2025) Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). [online] Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• Reuters (2025) US FDA to revise label of ADHD stimulants to add weight loss risk in patients younger than 6. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-revise-label-adhd-medications-add-weight-loss-risk-patients-younger-than-2025-06-30/ [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• The Guardian (2025) ADHD prescriptions in England have risen by 18% each year since pandemic. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/11/adhd-prescriptions-in-england-have-risen-by-18-each-year-since-pandemic [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• van Bergen, E., de Zeeuw, E. L., Hart, S. A., Boomsma, D. I., de Geus, E. J. C., & Kan, K.-J. (2025) Co-Occurrence and Causality Among ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dyscalculia. Psychological Science, 36(3), 204-217. [online] Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976241293999 [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• Wikipedia (2025a) Trigeminal nerve stimulation. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigeminal_nerve_stimulation [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].
• Wikipedia (2025b) Body doubling. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_doubling [Accessed 22 Sep. 2025].