Wider health needs in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from lived and professional experience: a qualitative framework analysis

Abstract

Objectives This study aimed to explore the perspectives of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), their supporters and primary care professionals (PCPs), on the wider physical and mental health needs of people with ADHD and the support currently available.Design Qualitative semi-structured interviews, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Setting Five general practice surgeries across England.Participants Participants with lived experience (people with ADHD and their supporters (n=11)) and PCPs (n=9) (eg, general practitioners and practice managers), recruited via clinical academic networks and previous work packages of this study.Results We generated three major themes in relation to ADHD, using reflexive thematic analysis: understanding health, barriers to health and addressing health. Within these, participants reflected on mental and physical health challenges, as well as wider social difficulties and variability in support offered/accessed.Conclusions This study highlights that health problems in ADHD are complex and rooted both in individual factors (eg, mental health) and social factors (eg, support). This study also highlights the differences in expectations and fulfilment of healthcare.