Understanding ADHD: Challenges, Barriers, and Pathways to Support

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire undertook a survey on local people's experiences of access to ADHD assessments and support needs to provide a stronger base for local decision making. 41 people responded.

Across every stage of the pathway, referral, assessment, treatment, and follow-up, people reported delays, poor communication, and limited access to consistent care. These shortcomings are leaving many individuals and families feeling unsupported, misunderstood, and, in some cases, in crisis. Long waiting times were one of the most striking issues, with some respondents reporting waits of one to two years or more, often without any interim support.

For adults, these delays are equally damaging, with many reporting job insecurity, relationship breakdowns, and deteriorating mental health.

Misdiagnosis and inconsistency in assessments were also common themes. NHS consultations were often described as rushed or incomplete, with private assessments viewed as more thorough but financially inaccessible to many. This has created a two-tier system in which timely, accurate diagnosis often depends on the ability to pay. Gender-specific challenges were a recurring issue, with many women feeling their symptoms had been overlooked or misunderstood for years, particularly during key hormonal stages such as puberty, pregnancy, and perimenopause.

Beyond diagnosis, many respondents reported serious barriers to treatment and ongoing care. The Right to Choose pathway, intended to give patients more options, was frequently described as confusing and inconsistently applied, with some GPs refusing to engage in shared-care arrangements for medication management. Stigma and misunderstanding remain powerful barriers, both within services and in wider society.

Yet, where accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment were provided, the impact was transformative. Participants spoke of better focus, improved relationships, and a greater sense of control and self-compassion.