Evidence and editorial standards

How we decide what we are allowed to say.

Nothing on this site is a diagnosis, and nothing here describes you specifically. Where we make a substantive claim we name the source, say exactly what it supports, and say what it does not settle. Where the explanation is ours, we label it as ours rather than dressing it up as a mechanism someone has established.

Browse all reviewed questions and the sources behind them

Sourced

A named source supports the exact claim shown. Its limits still travel with it.

Editorial

A careful explanation that connects evidence to lived experience. It never upgrades itself into medical fact.

Practical

A low-risk action or navigation step. Useful does not mean clinically proven.

How to read a claim here

Guidance and research do different jobs

UK guidance tells us how recognition, assessment and care should work. Research can describe associations and average group differences. Neither can identify the cause of one person’s difficult afternoon.

Association is not causation

When two things occur together, that does not prove one caused the other. We say “associated with” unless stronger evidence justifies stronger words.

Reviewed means checked, not clinician-approved

Our editorial team checked the source, wording and limits on the date shown. No clinician has signed off this site unless a page explicitly says so.

Freshness depends on the claim

Clinical principles change slowly. Waiting times, providers and local pathways change quickly, so we link to the current service rather than freeze a number here.

Themes and reviewed answers

appeals

2 sources in this evidence pack · 1 reviewed answer

attention

1 source in this evidence pack · 1 reviewed answer

delay

2 sources in this evidence pack · 2 reviewed answers

process

1 source in this evidence pack · 1 reviewed answer

scotland

1 source in this evidence pack · 1 reviewed answer

The five layers we work from

Layer 1UK clinical and official authority
UK guidelines and official health information. The most confident wording we use: “UK guidance recommends…”.
Layer 2Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses pooling many studies. Supports group-level statements: “research finds an association…”. It never describes one individual.
Layer 3Specialist studies, consensus and professional guidance
Individual specialist studies, expert consensus and professional guidance. Useful evidence, but not pooled review or guideline-level evidence.
Layer 4Trusted UK practical and pathway guidance
Practical UK pathway, workplace and rights information. Good for navigation and next steps; never used for clinical claims.
Layer 5ADHD Resources Hub editorial explanation
Our own explanation, written to make sense of a common experience. Always labelled as explanation rather than a mechanism anyone has established.

The source library

44 reviewed sources, grouped by layer. Each entry says what we use it for and where it stops.

Layer 1 · UK clinical and official authority

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87)

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence · Clinical guideline · UK

    The UK clinical guideline for recognising, assessing and managing ADHD, covering diagnosis, impairment, medication, non-medication support and environmental modifications.

    What it does not settle: Describes recognition, assessment and management. It does not establish specific cognitive mechanisms for individual experiences such as task paralysis or overwhelm.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can I focus on games but not emails? · Why is my concentration worse some days than others? · Could this be ADHD? · How do I get assessed for ADHD in the UK? · What support can a child ask for at school? · Can you have ADHD if you did well at school or can focus sometimes? · Is this ADHD, anxiety or both? · Is adult ADHD actually a recognised diagnosis? · Can an online test or questionnaire tell me if I have ADHD? · What does AuDHD mean, and is it a diagnosis? · Can I be assessed for ADHD and autism at the same time? · What is the difference between inattentive, hyperactive and combined ADHD? · What is Right to Choose for ADHD assessment? · What if my GP will not refer me through Right to Choose? · Can my GP diagnose ADHD? · What happens in an ADHD assessment? · Is it worth getting assessed in my forties or later? · My child was diagnosed and I recognised myself — what now? · How do I get my child assessed for ADHD? · What can ADHD look like in a child? · Isn’t everyone a bit ADHD these days? · Don’t people grow out of ADHD? · What support can I get while waiting for an assessment? · If I can hyperfocus, does that mean I have ADHD? · If ADHD affects a few per cent of adults, what are my chances? · What does ADHD have to do with sleep problems? · Do I need someone who knew me as a child? · How do I actually raise ADHD with my GP? · Will the NHS accept a private ADHD diagnosis? · What should I do if I cannot get my ADHD medication? · What do people mean by ADHD burnout? · What does “executive dysfunction” actually mean? · Is rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) a recognised diagnosis?

  • NG87 recommendations

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence · Clinical guideline · UK

    The recommendation wording itself — used when we need to be exact about what UK guidance says on adults, medication, non-medication support, environmental modifications and monitoring.

    What it does not settle: Recommendations are for services and clinicians. They are not individual advice and do not explain mechanisms.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do ADHD medication, titration and shared care work? · Why is it easier to start when someone else is there? · Does an open-plan office really make concentration worse? · Why does standard sleep advice not work for me? · Does Right to Choose cover medication and ongoing prescribing? · Is medication the only treatment for ADHD? · How are ADHD medication effects monitored? · Could my medication be keeping me awake? · What if my GP will not take over prescribing? · Are ADHD stimulant medicines addictive or dangerous? · Why is homework such a fight, and what helps? · Does therapy or CBT help adult ADHD? · What actually helps adult ADHD apart from medication? · What support can I get while waiting for an assessment?

  • NG87 evidence reviews

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence · Guideline evidence review · UK

    The evidence reviews sitting beneath the NG87 recommendations, including pharmacological efficacy and safety, non-pharmacological efficacy, combination treatment and information and support.

    What it does not settle: Provenance for guideline decisions rather than a source of standalone claims about everyday experiences.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do ADHD medication, titration and shared care work? · Is medication the only treatment for ADHD? · Does therapy or CBT help adult ADHD? · What actually helps adult ADHD apart from medication?

  • ADHD in adults

    NHS · Authoritative health information · UK

    NHS information describing adult ADHD symptoms, onset before age 12, the assessment pathway, GP referral, commonly co-occurring conditions, medication and talking therapies.

    What it does not settle: Describes features and pathways. It does not say why any individual experiences a given difficulty, and it is not a diagnostic tool.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can I focus on games but not emails? · Could this be ADHD? · How do I get assessed for ADHD in the UK? · Is adult ADHD actually a recognised diagnosis? · What does AuDHD mean, and is it a diagnosis? · Can I be assessed for ADHD and autism at the same time? · What is the difference between inattentive, hyperactive and combined ADHD? · Can I use Right to Choose in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? · Can my GP diagnose ADHD? · Is it worth getting assessed in my forties or later? · Don’t people grow out of ADHD? · How do I actually raise ADHD with my GP? · What should I do if I cannot get my ADHD medication?

  • Autism spectrum disorder in adults: diagnosis and management (CG142)

    National Institute for Health and Care Excellence · Clinical guideline · UK

    The UK clinical guideline for identifying, assessing and managing autism in adults, including coexisting mental health conditions and support for families. We read it only to describe that autism has its own separate UK assessment pathway.

    What it does not settle: It is an autism guideline, not an ADHD one. It does not quantify how often ADHD and autism co-occur, and it does not describe a combined assessment or a combined treatment plan.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What does AuDHD mean, and is it a diagnosis? · Can I be assessed for ADHD and autism at the same time?

  • Autism

    NHS · Authoritative health information · UK

    NHS information describing autism, signs in children and adults, how an autism assessment is arranged and where to get support. We use it for the assessment route and for plain-language description only.

    What it does not settle: Describes autism, not ADHD, and not the two together. It is not a diagnostic tool and says nothing about any individual’s likelihood of either.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What does AuDHD mean, and is it a diagnosis? · Can I be assessed for ADHD and autism at the same time?

  • ADHD in adults: good practice guidance (CR235)

    Royal College of Psychiatrists · Clinical guideline · 2023 · UK

    UK specialist good-practice guidance on adult ADHD assessment, developmental history, differential diagnosis, comorbidity and clinical management.

    What it does not settle: Good-practice framing for clinicians. It does not provide individual diagnostic conclusions or mechanistic explanations.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why is my concentration worse some days than others? · Could this be ADHD? · How do I get assessed for ADHD in the UK? · Can you have ADHD if you did well at school or can focus sometimes? · Is this ADHD, anxiety or both? · Can an online test or questionnaire tell me if I have ADHD? · Can my GP diagnose ADHD? · What happens in an ADHD assessment? · Isn’t everyone a bit ADHD these days? · Do I need someone who knew me as a child?

Layer 2 · Systematic reviews and meta-analyses

  • Time-perception deficits in ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    Metcalfe KB, McFeaters CD, Voyer D · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Meta-analysis of time-perception differences associated with ADHD, including 824 effect sizes with a mean effect around g = 0.688.

    What it does not settle: Group-level differences in laboratory time-perception tasks. It does not show that ADHD causes “time blindness”, and it says nothing about any individual’s timekeeping.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What does ‘time blindness’ actually mean? · Why am I late even when I care about being on time? · Why do tasks always take longer than I think? · Is “time blindness” a real diagnosis?

  • Sleep in adults with ADHD: systematic review and meta-analysis of subjective and objective studies

    Díaz-Román A and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Pooled subjective and objective sleep studies in adults with ADHD: strong subjective differences and some actigraphic differences.

    What it does not settle: No significant polysomnographic differences in the included evidence. It supports assessing sleep, not the claim that ADHD causes insomnia.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why does my brain get louder at night? · Why do I finally feel productive at midnight? · Why does standard sleep advice not work for me? · Could my medication be keeping me awake? · Why do I stay up when I am already exhausted? · What does ADHD have to do with sleep problems? · What do people mean by ADHD burnout?

  • Emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD: a meta-analysis

    Beheshti A, Chavanon ML, Christiansen H · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Meta-analysis of 13 studies (N = 2,535) finding substantially higher emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD than in comparison groups.

    What it does not settle: Emotion dysregulation is a commonly associated feature, not a formal DSM or NICE diagnostic criterion, and “overwhelm” is not a study outcome.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can a short list feel impossible? · Why can one message or criticism affect me for hours? · Why do I shut down instead of doing something easy? · Why do I react fast and regret it later? · Why do my emotions feel so much bigger than the situation? · How do I come down faster when I am already flooded? · Is rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) a recognised diagnosis?

  • ADHD and working memory in adults: a meta-analytic review

    Alderson RM and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Meta-analysis finding moderate group-level working-memory differences in adults with ADHD across verbal/phonological and visuospatial domains.

    What it does not settle: Group-level test differences. It does not establish that a forgotten intention “was never stored”, and it does not describe prospective memory in daily life.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Is this bad memory or an attention problem? · Why do I forget things I genuinely care about? · Why do I need systems for things other people just remember?

  • Executive functioning in adult ADHD: a meta-analytic review

    Boonstra AM and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · 2005 · International

    Meta-analysis of executive-function differences in adult ADHD, with medium effects in some domains.

    What it does not settle: Also notes that neuropsychological difficulties in ADHD are not specific to executive function — so ADHD cannot be described as simply “an executive function disorder”.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why do I shut down instead of doing something easy? · Is this ADHD, anxiety or both? · Is this just laziness or a lack of discipline? · What does “executive dysfunction” actually mean?

  • A systematic review on the association between ADHD and procrastination

    Suriano R · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Review finding a consistent association between ADHD symptoms and greater procrastination, with inattention the most robust correlate.

    What it does not settle: Largely cross-sectional, so causal inference is not justified. Procrastination is not the same thing as task paralysis and has no single mechanism.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can I know exactly what to do and still not begin? · Is task paralysis the same as procrastination? · Is this just laziness or a lack of discipline?

  • The efficacy of CBT for adults with ADHD: systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs

    Young Z, Moghaddam N, Tickle A · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Meta-analysis of randomised trials of CBT for adults with ADHD.

    What it does not settle: Trial evidence about treatment programmes, not about self-help techniques.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Is medication the only treatment for ADHD? · Does therapy or CBT help adult ADHD? · What is the difference between ADHD coaching and therapy? · What actually helps adult ADHD apart from medication?

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy for ADHD in adults: systematic review and meta-analyses

    Jensen CM and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Reviews CBT effects on ADHD symptoms and on related depression and anxiety outcomes.

    What it does not settle: Self-rated and clinician-rated outcomes differ, so effect sizes should not be quoted as one number.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Is medication the only treatment for ADHD? · Does therapy or CBT help adult ADHD? · What is the difference between ADHD coaching and therapy? · What actually helps adult ADHD apart from medication?

  • A meta-analysis of the intervention effect of CBT on adult ADHD

    Ren Y and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · 2025 · International

    Newer meta-analysis of 14 randomised trials showing benefit across core symptoms.

    What it does not settle: Additional evidence alongside NICE rather than a replacement for UK guidance on treatment.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Is medication the only treatment for ADHD? · Does therapy or CBT help adult ADHD? · What actually helps adult ADHD apart from medication?

  • Pharmacologic treatment of ADHD in adults: systematic review and network meta-analysis

    Elliott J and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · 2020 · International

    Network meta-analysis comparing benefits, harms and evidence certainty for adult ADHD medication.

    What it does not settle: Comparative research only. It cannot be used for individual prescribing advice.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do ADHD medication, titration and shared care work? · How are ADHD medication effects monitored? · Are ADHD stimulant medicines addictive or dangerous?

  • Comparative efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological, psychological and neurostimulatory interventions for ADHD in adults

    Ostinelli EG and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Component network meta-analysis of contemporary comparative evidence across adult ADHD treatment options.

    What it does not settle: Population-level comparison, not a recommendation for any individual.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do ADHD medication, titration and shared care work? · How are ADHD medication effects monitored? · Are ADHD stimulant medicines addictive or dangerous?

  • ADHD and monetary delay discounting: a meta-analysis

    Jackson JNS, MacKillop J · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Meta-analysis of a group-level association between ADHD and greater preference for immediate over delayed rewards.

    What it does not settle: Does not support a dopamine explanation, and does not mean ADHD “needs urgency” to function.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can I do something once the deadline is urgent? · Is ADHD just a dopamine deficiency?

  • ADHD and choice of small immediate over larger delayed rewards: a comparative meta-analysis

    Patros CHG and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Meta-analysis of delay aversion and impulsive choice, with results sensitive to task context.

    What it does not settle: Context-dependent findings. They do not amount to a deterministic story about motivation.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can I do something once the deadline is urgent? · Is ADHD just a dopamine deficiency?

  • Meta-analysis of decision-making and attention in adults with ADHD

    Mäntylä T and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Pooled evidence on reward-based decision-making and attention differences in adults with ADHD.

    What it does not settle: Group-level laboratory findings, not an account of everyday decisions.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why am I late even when I care about being on time?

  • The prevalence of adult ADHD: global systematic review and meta-analysis

    Song P and colleagues · Systematic review or meta-analysis · 2021 · International

    Estimates persistent adult ADHD at 2.58% in the 2020 demographic model, with symptomatic adult ADHD higher because the childhood-onset requirement differs.

    What it does not settle: Population background only. Prevalence never translates into the probability that you personally have ADHD.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How common is ADHD in adults? · Isn’t everyone a bit ADHD these days? · Don’t people grow out of ADHD? · If ADHD affects a few per cent of adults, what are my chances?

  • Umbrella review of adult ADHD prevalence

    Umbrella review of systematic reviews · Systematic review or meta-analysis · International

    Pooled adult prevalence context drawn from multiple systematic reviews.

    What it does not settle: Population figures only, and not an individual-level likelihood.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How common is ADHD in adults? · Isn’t everyone a bit ADHD these days? · If ADHD affects a few per cent of adults, what are my chances?

Layer 3 · Specialist studies, consensus and professional guidance

  • Living “in the zone”: hyperfocus in adult ADHD

    Hupfeld KE, Abagis TR, Shah P · Observational study · 2019 · International

    Two questionnaire studies comparing self-reported hyperfocus experiences in adults with and without ADHD, and associations with ADHD symptom levels.

    What it does not settle: Self-reported, cross-sectional associations cannot establish a mechanism or diagnostic specificity. Hyperfocus is not a diagnostic criterion; experiencing it neither confirms nor rules out ADHD.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can I focus on games but not emails? · Is hyperfocus actually part of ADHD? · If I can hyperfocus, does that mean I have ADHD?

  • Updated European consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of adult ADHD

    Kooij JJS and colleagues · Expert consensus statement · International

    European specialist consensus on adult presentation, developmental history, diagnosis, comorbidity and multimodal treatment including CBT and coaching.

    What it does not settle: Expert consensus, not systematic guideline-level evidence.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Is adult ADHD actually a recognised diagnosis? · What is the difference between inattentive, hyperactive and combined ADHD? · Is it worth getting assessed in my forties or later?

  • Evidence-based guidelines for the pharmacological management of ADHD

    British Association for Psychopharmacology · Expert consensus statement · 2014 · UK

    UK specialist pharmacological guidance, useful for context and history.

    What it does not settle: Published 2014. Newer NICE guidance and comparative meta-analyses take precedence where they differ.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Is adult ADHD actually a recognised diagnosis?

  • Females with ADHD: an expert consensus statement across the lifespan

    Young S and colleagues · Expert consensus statement · 2020 · International

    Consensus statement on under-recognition in girls and women, female presentation, referral bias and lifespan assessment and treatment considerations.

    What it does not settle: Expert consensus rather than pooled trial evidence.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can ADHD be recognised later in women? · Is it worth getting assessed in my forties or later? · Why did coping stop working for me? · My child was diagnosed and I recognised myself — what now? · What do people mean by ADHD masking? · Why am I exhausted from holding it all together?

  • ADHD and sex hormones in females: a systematic review

    Systematic review · Systematic review or meta-analysis · 2025 · International

    Review of possible symptom variation across hormonal phases in women with ADHD.

    What it does not settle: Evidence is limited and heterogeneous, and the review calls for more research including menopause. It does not show hormones worsen symptoms in every woman.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can ADHD be recognised later in women? · Can hormonal changes affect ADHD symptoms?

  • Research advances and future directions in female ADHD

    Kooij JJS and colleagues · Expert review or synthesis · International

    Expert synthesis of female ADHD research gaps, late diagnosis and lifespan and hormonal considerations.

    What it does not settle: Review and synthesis, not definitive treatment evidence.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Why can ADHD be recognised later in women? · Why did coping stop working for me? · Can hormonal changes affect ADHD symptoms? · Why am I exhausted from holding it all together?

Layer 4 · Trusted UK practical and pathway guidance

  • Diagnosis pathways for adult ADHD

    ADHD UK · Practical guidance · UK

    Practical explanation of UK adult diagnosis routes, written for navigation.

    What it does not settle: Not a substitute for NICE, RCPsych or NHS information on clinical questions.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do I get assessed for ADHD in the UK? · Can I be assessed for ADHD and autism at the same time? · Can I use Right to Choose in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? · How long is the wait for an ADHD assessment? · What does a private ADHD assessment cost? · What if my GP will not take over prescribing? · How do I get my child assessed for ADHD? · What support can I get while waiting for an assessment? · How do I actually raise ADHD with my GP?

  • Right to Choose

    ADHD UK · Practical guidance · UK

    Practical England-only Right to Choose navigation, including provider and pathway context.

    What it does not settle: Operational information that changes. Check the source for current providers and waiting times rather than relying on any figure quoted here.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do I get assessed for ADHD in the UK? · What is Right to Choose for ADHD assessment? · Can I use Right to Choose in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? · What if my GP will not refer me through Right to Choose?

  • Right to Choose: learning about NHS Right to Choose

    ADHD UK · Practical guidance · UK

    Step-by-step practical explanation of Right to Choose, provider choice and shared-care considerations.

    What it does not settle: Practical guidance from a charity, not NHS policy wording.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What is Right to Choose for ADHD assessment? · What if my GP will not refer me through Right to Choose? · Does Right to Choose cover medication and ongoing prescribing?

  • Right to Choose wait times

    ADHD UK · Practical guidance · UK

    Current practical waiting-time and provider context for Right to Choose.

    What it does not settle: Waiting times change constantly. We deliberately do not restate figures — follow the link for what is true today.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do I get assessed for ADHD in the UK? · What is Right to Choose for ADHD assessment? · How long is the wait for an ADHD assessment? · What support can I get while waiting for an assessment?

  • ADHD UK FAQ

    ADHD UK · Practical guidance · UK

    Practical answers to lived questions about assessment, such as school reports and family informants.

    What it does not settle: Where it differs from NICE, RCPsych or NHS information, the clinical sources take precedence.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Does Right to Choose cover medication and ongoing prescribing? · What does a private ADHD assessment cost? · What if my GP will not take over prescribing? · Will the NHS accept a private ADHD diagnosis?

  • Adjustments for neurodiversity

    Acas · Official government guidance · UK

    UK workplace guidance with adjustment examples for concentration, organisation and time management, and the point that adjustments must be individual.

    What it does not settle: Guidance on good practice and process. Whether the Equality Act applies depends on functional impact and the legal test, not on having ADHD.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What ADHD support can I ask for at work? · Does an open-plan office really make concentration worse? · Should I tell my employer about ADHD? · Does ADHD count as a disability at work? · Can I ask for instructions in writing at work? · What can help with interruptions and open-plan noise? · How do I stop losing things in meetings? · What can help with workload, deadlines and timekeeping at work?

  • Access to Work

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official description of the Access to Work scheme.

    What it does not settle: Scheme description only; decisions are made case by case.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What ADHD support can I ask for at work? · What is Access to Work and could it help? · Can I get Access to Work without an ADHD diagnosis?

  • Access to Work: eligibility

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official eligibility information, which includes ADHD as an example condition and does not necessarily require a diagnosis to apply.

    What it does not settle: Eligibility is assessed individually.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What ADHD support can I ask for at work? · What is Access to Work and could it help? · Can I get Access to Work without an ADHD diagnosis?

  • Reasonable adjustments for disabled workers

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official explanation of employers’ reasonable-adjustment duties in the UK.

    What it does not settle: The duty follows from meeting the Equality Act definition of disability, which depends on the impact of your difficulties.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What ADHD support can I ask for at work? · Should I tell my employer about ADHD? · Does ADHD count as a disability at work? · Can I ask for instructions in writing at work?

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP): what PIP is for

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official description of PIP: the daily living and mobility parts, the everyday activities considered, how difficulty is assessed (safely, how long it takes, whether help is needed) and the requirement to have difficulty more than half of the days over a 12-month period.

    What it does not settle: Describes the benefit and the activities considered. It does not say that ADHD qualifies, and it does not predict any individual decision.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Can I claim PIP for ADHD? · How do I actually make a PIP claim?

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP): eligibility

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official eligibility rules: aged 16 or over, a long-term physical or mental health condition, difficulty with everyday tasks or getting around expected to last at least 12 months, usually under State Pension age, plus how PIP interacts with work, savings and other benefits.

    What it does not settle: Residence and immigration rules and end-of-life rules are summarised only. In Scotland the equivalent benefit is Adult Disability Payment.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Can I claim PIP for ADHD?

  • Personal Independence Payment (PIP): how to claim

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official claim process: start by phone on the PIP new claims line, then complete a form about how your condition affects you online or by post, with an assessment if more information is needed.

    What it does not settle: Process only. It does not describe how points are scored or how long a decision takes.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: How do I actually make a PIP claim?

  • Adult Disability Payment

    mygov.scot · Official government guidance · UK

    The Scottish equivalent of PIP, administered by Social Security Scotland, used to keep our benefits wording accurate outside England and Wales.

    What it does not settle: Scottish rules and process differ from PIP; we do not describe the Scottish decision process in detail.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: Can I claim PIP for ADHD?

  • Challenge a benefit decision (mandatory reconsideration)

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official guidance that a benefit decision can be looked at again free of charge, usually requested within one month of the decision date, and later than that with a good reason.

    What it does not settle: Describes the process. It says nothing about how likely a challenge is to succeed.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What can I do if my PIP claim is refused?

  • Appeal a benefit decision

    GOV.UK · Official government guidance · UK

    Official guidance that PIP decisions can be appealed free of charge to the independent Social Security and Child Support Tribunal, usually within one month of the mandatory reconsideration decision, and that mandatory reconsideration normally comes first.

    What it does not settle: Describes the route and time limits. Outcomes depend on the evidence and the tribunal, and Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate processes.

    Last checked September 2026

    Used in reviewed answers: What can I do if my PIP claim is refused?

What we will not do

  • Give you a score, a probability or anything that reads like a diagnosis. Diagnosis follows a full assessment by a qualified professional.
  • Turn a group-level research finding into a statement about you. A difference measured across groups does not describe one person’s afternoon.
  • Offer a tidy neurochemical story as settled fact, or cite a source for a claim it does not support.
  • Cite anything we have not read, or invent an author, date or finding.

Next step

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