I think we've all tried whiteboards, apps, coaching, tools, and whatever the heck we see on on Amazon that we think might be perfect for our ADHD... then we end up breaking it or forgetting we even bought it. We know that habits and consistency (such as keeping up with your ADHD coach) is really hard to sustain. Somethings lose their novelty, too.

So what solution, 'hack', or thing you thought up in your mind that you thought would definitely help your ADHD.... didn't? - Feel free to mention what actually did, too!

Naively, perhaps because it was before TikTok heavily influenced perception, I thought that telling friends and close family members it would invite conversation and they would like to learn about it, ask questions, or be curious. I like to think I do this to people. Unfortunately, I was met with rolls of the eyes and everyone has their judgement ready to go the second you say it sadly.

It did not fix my executive function. In fact, it made it worse. Getting diagnosed means you have to navigate the mess that is cross border prescribing, all the RTC information,... it can be difficult. Online communities literally told me about Right to Choose in 2021. It should have been the NHS. It is 2026 and the amount of stress when I jump from NHS England to NHS Scotland for a period is crazy - despite seeing about six Psychiatrists in this period, all of whom agree I need medication.

Relationships are still hard. I almost feel as though I wouldn't want to burden someone or the amount of up and downs, losing things, and the little things frankly, anyone rightly will get pissed off eventually. I become smitten with people very quickly, but rarely want to develop it when it feels serious - RSD and self-loathing going on there.

Your turn.

The team behind Bill-e-Buddy reached out and unlike about 90% of apps wanting our help, I am keen to help here. I hope you can too. I believe it is ethically sound and have spoke to the people behind it and I'm assured.

This is an app in development that approached me and wanted some help shaping it through our community.

It reminds me somewhat of the apps I got approved for for DSA (Brand in Hand?) for organisation, and lord knows that I need help with my finances. I'm happy it is ethically sound, and this article is clearly evidence-led with an ethics framework, unlike 90% of requests that land in the mod mail. I am even more assured after speaking to the team.

It is in pre-development, and certainly something I'd be willing to try to help with my finances when launched, so I've filled out the survey. If you're happy to help them shape it too, here the link to help them!

Link to Survey to Shape It: https://bill-e-buddy.com/survey/

In response to the article from The Sun yesterday, noticed a few people say they know their family will see this or they haven't told their family because of this. This makes me curious. Did you tell your family straight away? Were they understanding? Was it before ADHD being "dragged into" the culture war? Did they suspect it?

I'm intrigued to see the responses before and after the BBC Panorama/Stigma it has acquired, and who you decided to tell and why, and what their response ultimately was. I personally told my brother, and he went and got an assessment himself! He fits the ADHD profile perfectly, so was hardly a surprise.

Title really. Anything significant happening this week? Anything your ADHD is likely to try and impact? How is titration going this week?

Monday can be brutal, but feel free to dump here and see if others can relate.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/health/39130571/demand-adhd-pills-nhs-tenfold/

You do not have to click. I am posting because we have agreed as a community it is good to know what we're up against. It sucks that ADHD is being brought into culture war by the likes of The S*n, DM, GB News and the like... but are we really surprised?

Before you downvote... Why do I post this?

I think it is important we see the articles or headlines like this (clicked or not). We might not care for them, I am not posting for rage-bait, but just know that your granny, grandpa or uncle will probably be seeing this and, it sadly be informing their opinion on ADHD. It is why charities, organisations, and even communities like this are ever the more important, as well as documentaries or anything that actually tries to follow the research and evidence.

This is a stance we have discussed as a community before and have agreed.

I posted a meme yesterday about laundry and it got me thinking a bit more seriously. What cleaning routine, rule, or approach genuinely works for keeping your home/bedroom/liveable or survival, if any? Have you stuck to it? Do you have a particular day/reminder/does your partner kick you up the arse?

It is one area of my life where ADHD hits really hard, so keen to know how to manage from posting self-deprecating memes about it and how others manage it.

I haven't had the time today to completely go through this article, but the title of the media piece does not surprise me. From what I can see it looks like it is from Drexel University back in Feb (link below), but the 'creative breakthroughs' I absolutely relate to.

These 'creative breakthroughs' I have often found myself finding when there is a deadline of a few hours approaching and a spark appears. Not sure if anyone is able to relate. I imagine something going on the brain with stress under pressure, there.

Unless I'm missing something, not sure why it is appearing on Earth.com today.

It doesn't appear to be the biggest cohort of people, but interesting from what I have been able to read.

Research Link: https://drexel.edu/news/archive/2026/February/Kounios-ADHD-Creativity

We know how 'localised' things have become between pauses and the power ICBs have since the move from CCGs, so I will try to keep an eye on local articles going forward. Hope this helps someone. If anyone has information on their own local ICB or sees an article like this, do post it!

It is important to remember we're trying to help on here, but that requires local knowledge and help. I'm thinking of a flair system if that would help. Anyone with AutoMod experience could help here.

Taking antidepressants during pregnancy does not increase the risk of children going on to develop autism or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to an analysis of more than half a million pregnancies.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Hong Kong and published in the Lancet Psychiatry, analysed data from 37 existing studies that included 600,000 pregnant women who had taken antidepressants, and 25 million women who had no antidepressant use during their pregnancies.

Before controlling for key factors such as pre-existing mental health conditions, the analysis found that antidepressant use by the mother during pregnancy was associated with a 35% increased risk of ADHD and a 69% increased risk of autism.

Full article: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/may/14/antidepressants-pregnancy-not-raise-childrens-risk-autism-adhd-stud

Title really.

I've always felt it is a really unregulated area, and worries me that there isn't a DBS check or any real framework it works from.

Yet at the same time, it makes sense: Accountability, relating to to others, check-ins, etc.

I've always felt like there should be a course that is standardised, and it be more clear how they can help. For example, perhaps in the future someone could see themselves being an ADHD Coach in Finance, but absolutely not be able to guide someone through their education. This is kinda the case, but is often buried in profiles.

Thoughts/Experiences?

Saturday Socials: Drop your content, socials, or anything you’ve been working on. You may get a few followers!

We’re trialling Saturday Socials across the Discord and subreddit; a more relaxed space to just share stuff.

Feel free to drop:

• your content
• socials / handles if you want followers
• TikToks, videos, projects of people you like or yourself - self promotion is OK today as long as it is evidence-based.
• anything that’s helped you recently or made you lauhgh. ADHD or not.
• photos, updates, small wins… whatever you want

No pressure to perform or “make it perfect”; just a place to connect and see what people are up to.

Moderation will be a bit looser in here; just use common sense and keep it respectful.

If you can’t motivate to go to the gym

It might be because you find the gym boring

Find a sport or an activity that:

Isn’t boring (to you)

That has a positive non toxic community

You’re interested in learning or getting better at

Is high adrenaline

Is something that’s more interesting to talk about than lifting weights or running on a treadmill like a hamster

Edit: some people enjoy the gym so I have updated

This was posted in The Lancet, so quite a big deal - and once again the University of Southampton doing top work on ADHD. They're one of about five that constantly seems to be churning out good research.

I've been saying less is more a lot lately (I have flexibility on my dose) so it isn't all that surprising.

------------

>Researchers have identified the best dosage for each ADHD medication using data from thousands of people with the condition. The new study published in The Lancet Psychiatry provides the most comprehensive view of dosage effects for five commonly used medications for ADHD. The study is titled "Pharmacological interventions for ADHD: a systematic review and dose-effect network meta-analysis."

Why ADHD medication dosage matters

To help patients and clinicians choose the right dosage, the international research team led by Professor Samuele Cortese from the University of Southampton has also developed a free online tool based on the findings.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental conditions, affecting about 5% of school-age children and 2% to 3% of adults.

Medication is a key part of treatment, and prescriptions have increased substantially in recent years. However, most clinical guidelines provide limited guidance on the most effective dosages.

How the study was conducted

Finding the right dose is important to avoid dosages that are too low to be effective or too high, causing unwanted side effects. To identify this dosage "sweet spot," the research team analyzed data from 113 clinical trials, including more than 25,000 participants.

They used an advanced method called dose–effects network meta-analysis, which allowed them to estimate how different doses of each medication affect both effectiveness and side effects.

The results show that patterns differ between medications and age groups.

Key findings and clinical implications

Dr. Mikail Nourredine from the University of Lyon, first author of the study, said, "Overall, our findings suggest that clinicians should avoid using doses that are too low to be effective. If symptoms are not well controlled, the dosage may need to be increased.

"We also found no evidence that going beyond the licensed maximum doses improves average effectiveness, and higher doses are usually linked to more side effects. However, our results derive from group averages. Specific individuals with ADHD may benefit from, and tolerate well, unlicensed doses."

Evidence from other studies shows that a substantial proportion of children and adolescents are prescribed low dosages without appropriate increases. That's despite timely and adequate dose adjustments being associated with better adherence to treatment.

Professor Cortese, an NIHR Research Professor at the University of Southampton, commented, "Our study and the tool have the potential to support shared decision-making between clinicians, patients, and families when choosing the best dose. It is not only a clinician's decision—patients and caregivers should be involved.

"The tool helps show what can be expected from each dose so that the patient knows why that particular dose has been chosen. We are continuing research to further personalize these recommendations based on individual patient characteristics."

Publication details / Source

Mikail Nourredine et al, Pharmacological interventions for ADHD: a systematic review and dose–effect network meta-analysis, The Lancet Psychiatry (2026). DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(26)00091-x.

Journal information: The Lancet Psychiatry 

In an attempt to cut costs on ADHD assessments by limiting how many each Right to Choose provider can do locally it seems (Activity Limits) that there are restrictions.

That is why you might be stuck waiting right now in your area for the same clinic,,even if people living in different areas (ICBs) are still getting seen.

Interested to see how this is impacting people. Two posts below for context.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDUK/comments/1szsgz6/anyone_else_stuck_waiting_for_icb_funding/

https://www.reddit.com/r/ADHDUK/comments/1tdvhd7/does_this_mean_all_rtc_arent_taking_patients/

I hope we can do something about this on here in terms a bank of data of which ICB has 'reached' the activity limit or not. That'll be a big task, but strength in numbers, right!

Childhood ADHD traits linked to midlife depression and anxiety — but the culprit isn't the ADHD itself, it's being shut out of society for decades

A new study in Nature Mental Health followed 9,000+ people from birth (1970) to their mid-40s, and the findings hit hard.

Kids with high ADHD traits were significantly more likely to be struggling mentally at 46. But when researchers dug into why, the biggest factor wasn't brain chemistry — it was societal exclusion. Think: fewer stable jobs, weaker support networks, worse healthcare access, more financial instability. All of it compounding quietly over 30+ years.

By midlife, people with high childhood ADHD traits had a 27% chance of clinically significant psychological distress vs 18% for everyone else. That 9-point gap is essentially a lifetime of being failed by systems that weren't built for them.

The kicker: this cohort was born in 1970. Basically none of them would have been diagnosed, let alone supported. So they just... struggled through school, through work, through relationships, with no framework for why things felt harder, and no accommodations to help.

The lead researcher's conclusion is worth sitting with: "Long-term outcomes for people with ADHD are not fixed. With the right support, inclusive environments, and reduced stigma, there is real potential to improve life trajectories."

Which is great! But also a reminder of how many people in their 40s and 50s are only NOW getting diagnosed and finally have language for decades of difficulty.

Anyone here get a late diagnosis? Curious how much of this resonates.

Source: PsyPost summary | Original paper in Nature Mental Health