The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has updated its guideline on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The guideline has been developed by the National Guideline Centre (NGC), which is hosted by the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
The new recommendations update Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): diagnosis and management, which was published in 2008 and last updated in 2016. The guideline aims to improve the delivery of high-quality care for people with ADHD, and offers support to commissioners and providers of services for people with ADHD as well as children, young people and adults with the disorder, and their families and carers.
What's in the new guideline
Recommendations in the updated NICE guideline include:
- Be aware that ADHD is thought to be under-recognised in girls and women and that:
- they are less likely to be referred for assessment for ADHD
- they may be more likely to have undiagnosed ADHD
- they may be more likely to receive an incorrect diagnosis of another mental health or neurodevelopment condition.
- Inform people receiving a diagnosis of ADHD (and their families or carers as appropriate) about sources of information, including:
- local and national support groups and voluntary organisations
- websites
- support for education and employment.
- People who have had an assessment but whose symptoms and impairment fall short of a diagnosis of ADHD may benefit from similar information.
You can read the full guidance and recommendations on NICE's website.