top of page

ECHO-ADHD

Understanding the Experiences, Co-occurring health conditions, and Healthcare Outcomes for people with ADHD across the life course

This is a two year project, funded by the Medical Research Foundation running from 2025-2027.

Background to the research

Planting a Plant

It is estimated that around 2.6 million people in the UK have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD has historically been viewed as a childhood condition, but research shows that it commonly persists into adulthood. Younger adults with ADHD face significant challenges, including mental and physical health issues, difficulties accessing healthcare, and earlier mortality. However, little is known about how ADHD affects adults aged 50 and older, leaving their needs poorly understood and unmet.

Why is this important?

People with ADHD, clinicians, and researchers have highlighted a major gap in understanding what life is like for middle aged and older adults with ADHD.

​

Without this knowledge:

  • Support services may not meet people’s needs

  • Health problems may go unrecognised or untreated

  • Inequalities in healthcare may continue or get worse

 

By improving understanding, we can help create fairer and more effective support.

What do we want to find out?

We are focusing on three main questions:

Smiling Office Worker

What are people’s experiences of ADHD later in life?

  • How do people get diagnosed?

  • What support do they receive?

  • How does ADHD affect ageing?

Medical Consultation Scene

What health conditions are linked to ADHD over time?

  • Looking at both mental and physical health

  • Understanding how these develop across the lifespan

​

Therapy

How well do mental health treatments work for people with ADHD?

  • Especially for those accessing NHS talking therapies

  • Does age affect outcomes?

How will we do this?

We are using a mixed-methods approach, meaning we combine different types of research:

Taking Notes

Talking to people

We will interview adults aged 50+ with ADHD to understand:

  • Their diagnosis journey

  • Experiences with support services

  • The impact of ADHD on their lives

​

​

Meeting Room Business

Analysing large datasets

We will also analyse existing health data from millions of people to:

  • Compare health conditions in people with and without ADHD

  • Track health over time

  • Understand how people respond to therapy

What difference will this make?

Over a cup of tea

We hope that this project will:

  1. Improve understanding of ADHD in people aged 50+

  2. Highlight gaps in healthcare and support

  3. Provide evidence to improve services and policy

 

In the future, we want to use these findings to develop and test new ways to better support people aged 50+ with ADHD.

​

We want to help ensure that people with ADHD receive the recognition, care, and support they need at every stage of life.

bottom of page