This Type Of Intelligence May Predict How Long You’ll Live

Posted on 20/03/2025 by Boris Clair

In his book How To Prevent Dementia, professor of neurology Dr Richard Restak said that how we describe our jobs may be linked to our dementia risk.

He referenced a decades-long study involving nuns which found that how participants described their pre-convent work in their youth seemed to be linked to how likely they were to develop dementia over time.

“The best functioning nuns [in old age] differed from their counterparts who had succumbed to dementia by what [the study author] termed cognitive density: many thoughts and ideas woven into few sentences and paragraphs,” Dr Restak said.

More recent research from last year suggests that “verbal fluency” might be the strongest cognitive predictor of longevity too.

How does “verbal fluency” affect longevity?

A study published in Psychological Science looked at data from the Berlin Ageing Study alongside nine other cognitive studies.

Existing studies have linked intelligence to increased longevity, but the 2024 paper wanted to look at whether different kinds of intelligence were better or worse than others at predicting someone’s lifespan.

They divided the intelligence of the study’s participants into four groups

Verbal fluency (how easily you can summon the right words for a situation – in this study, they asked participants to name as many animals as they could in 90 seconds),
Perceptual speed (how quickly and accurately you can compare and assess patterns via visual cues),
Verbal knowledge (the breadth of someone’s vocabulary), and
Episodic memory (how well you can recall and contextualise personal memories).

The scientists then compared the results of these cognitive tests to how long their longevity predictor, which they co-created with the help of experts in multiple universities who are skilled at making joint multivariate longitudinal survival models, said participants were expected to live.

They found that verbal fluency was the only cognitive trait they measured which seemed to affect how long people were predicted to live. Those with better verbal fluency were expected to have longer lives.

Why might that be?

The scientists didn’t prove that verbal fluency definitely predicts a longer life, nor did they find out exactly why it may have such an effect.

But in an interview, the study’s lead author Dr Paolo Ghisletta said that verbal well-being could be a good indicator of ageing because it combines so many cognitive skills.

“All of these domains are just declining together, whether it’s cognition, personality, emotions, or biological, medical decline in general,” he suggested.

Indeed previous studies have linked how well someone can stand on one leg, a physical process which recruits multiple parts of the brain and body at once, to both longevity and dementia risk.

Where Does The UK Rank In Happiness? This Report Paints A Grim Picture

Posted on 20/03/2025 by Boris Clair

This week, The World Happiness Report 2025 was released.

This report is the world’s foremost publication on global wellbeing and how to improve it. The researchers behind the report combined wellbeing data from over 140 countries, and provides essential insights into how we can create more happiness within our communitiies and nations.

To explain their ranking, the researchers say: “Our global happiness ranking is based on a single question from the Gallup World Poll, derived from the Cantril Self-Anchoring Striving Scale (Cantril Ladder):

“Please imagine a ladder with steps numbered from 0 at the bottom to 10 at the top.

“The top of the ladder represents the best possible life for you and the bottom of the ladder represents the worst possible life for you. On which step of the ladder would you say you personally feel you stand at this time?”

This year, the UK has fallen to its lowest position

The report found that, despite the UK being the sixth richest nation in the world, we have fallen to 23rd place in global rankings. The US has also fallen to its lowest position, now sitting at 24th place.

Meanwhile, Finland is reportedly the happiest place in the world for the eighth year in a row.

Providing more context to their findings, the researchers say: “Country rankings are based on a three-year average of each population’s average assessment of their quality of life.

“Interdisciplinary experts from economics, psychology, sociology and beyond then seek to explain the variations across countries and over time using factors such as GDP per capita, healthy life expectancy, having someone to count on, a sense of freedom, generosity and perceptions of corruption.”

Those factors explain the differences across nations, but the rankings themselves are actually based solely on answers people have given when asked to rank their own lives.

Quite a sorry tale for the UK.

There is hopeful news, though

While this news isn’t exactly uplifting, the overall findings from the researchers were surprisingly wholesome and give us attainable goals for rebuilding, as well as finding joy and comfort where we can.

Lara B. Aknin, professor of social psychology at Simon Fraser University, and an editor of the World Happiness Report, says: “Human happiness is driven by our relationships with others. Investing in positive social connections and engaging in benevolent actions are both matched by greater happiness.”

Jeffrey D. Sachs, president of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University and a founding editor of the World Happiness Report, adds: “The findings in this year’s World Happiness Report reconfirm a fundamental truth: happiness is rooted in trust, kindness, and social connection.

“It is up to us as virtuous individuals and citizens to translate this vital truth into positive action, thereby fostering peace, civility, and wellbeing in communities worldwide.”

Let’s hope we can improve over the next 12 months.

Eating These 7 Fruits Before Bed Will Seriously Improve Your Sleep

Posted on 18/03/2025 by Boris Clair

According to Mental Health UK, 1 in 5 people in the UK aren’t getting enough sleep and a lack of quality sleep can lead to health problems such as lowered concentration, being more susceptible to illness and infection as well as contributing to the effects of anxiety and depression.

However, according to Panda London’s Sleep Expert Max Kirsten, there are some foods that can aid a better, more restful sleep. This is due to a multitude of benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties, melatonin, and potassium.

Which fruits can help you sleep bettter?

According to Kirsten, having one of these fruits before bed regularly will make a huge difference to your sleep:

Pineapples contain bromelain which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with muscle relaxation, easing you into a gentle sleep.

Cherries, particularly tart cherries, can be particularly beneficial for sleep, as this viral TikTok beverage show. This is because they are a natural source of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. According to Kirsten, eating tart cherries or even tart cherry juice can help increase melatonin levels in the body which can potentially improve sleep quality and duration.

Kirsten recommends having some tart cherries just a couple of hours before bed to trigger the sleepy feeling that helps you to drift off.

Thanks to the magnesium and potassium in bananas, the fruit can help relax muscle and promote better sleep. Kirsten adds that, “anything that contains magnesium can encourage relaxation, the best thing about eating bananas before bed is the tryptophan they contain can encourage sleepiness and aid a deep, restful sleep.”

This is because Tryptophan is an amino acid that plays a role in producing serotonin; a neurotransmitter associated with relaxation and mood regulation.

Speaking of serotonin, kiwis encourage higher levels of serotonin, which makes it ideal for just before bed. This is because you’ll find yourself more relaxed and, thanks to the vitamin C in kiwi fruit, the quality and duration of your sleep will be improved, too.

Oranges

Of course, oranges are also a great source of vitamin C. Kirsten says that the natural sugars in oranges can provide a gentle energy boost during the day and may improve moods, making it easier to unwind before bedtime.

An unlikely everyday fruit perhaps but papaya is rich in both vitamins C and E, as well as folate and potassium. Potassium, of course, helps to relax muscles and eating foods like papaya can encourage a deeper, higher quality rest. The nutrients within potassium can relax muscles and lower blood pressure, making dropping off much easier.

Finally, good old apples contain fibre and natural sugars which stabilise blood sugar levels. This helps to prevent nighttime wakefulness as well as improving general mood and wellbeing.

If you continue to have sleep problems, speak to your GP for support.

I Stopped Working Out My Abs And Got The Strongest Core Of My Life

Posted on 15/03/2025 by Boris Clair

I recently found myself faced with quite the riddle: what’s the difference between an ab workout and a core workout?

If I’d been asked that by a bridge-dwelling troll a few months ago, I’d have resigned myself to a watery end. After all, I only recently learned that while abs are part of your core, your core is so much more than just abs.

I mostly go to the gym for health, rather than aesthetic, reasons. I’m way more worried about my bone density and brain health than I am about my muscle definition. So, I wouldn’t have minded if the difference was mostly cosmetic.

But it turns out that not only are core muscles key to a healthy back (and crucial for preventing falls in ageing), but a lot of the ab-led workouts I’d been doing previously actually did little to strengthen the crucial muscle group.

As a result, I changed my routine ― and I’ve noticed less back pain, better form in other moves (like squats), and even improved posture since.

Wait ― what’s the difference between abs vs core?

Your core is a set of muscles that includes the transverse abdominis and rectus abdominis, oblique, erector spinae, multifidus, diaphragm, quadratus lumborum, hip flexors, and pelvic floor muscles.

It involves groups of muscles we don’t usually think much about when flicking through workout videos, including those that support your spine and hips.

Only one of those muscle groups ― the rectus abdominis ― forms the “six-pack” people might try to achieve through sit-ups and crunches.

But The Mayo Clinic said that while lots of us try to achieve visible abs, broader core exercises (which “train the muscles in your core to work in harmony”) are all too often neglected.

That’s a shame, they said, because true core workouts are key to every other exercise you want to try ― and the stability a strong core gives you makes day-to-day life easier, too.

So, how do I achieve a stronger core?

Good news. The Mayo Clinic said any exercise that involves “the use of your stomach muscles and back muscles in a coordinated way” counts as a core exercise.

That’s why your class instructor is constantly asking you to “engage your core” when squatting, lifting, and even running.

Personally, I started doing what are known as compound exercises ― those which work multiple muscles at once, rather than isolating a couple ― to target both as many core muscles as I can in one go.

Hollow holds, planks, L-sits, pull- and push-ups, and bird dog exercises are all well-known core workouts that include far more muscles than we realise. I still love these.

But lifting weights with your core engaged, as is needed for overhead marches, renegade rows, and kettlebell swings (my personal favourite, and the move that I feel has strengthened me most) works too, and was a revelation to me.

Since incorporating more full-body core movements into my routine, I’ve not only spent more time on the area (a kettlebell swing can be part of a leg day routine, while sit-ups are usually core-specific moves), but added more weight, and therefore resistance, to the action too.

After all, it’s not like your stomach has a way of lifting a dumbbell; you have to recruit other parts of your body for that.

What other exercises work your core rather than just your abs?

Speaking to Harvard’s site, physical therapist Carina O’Neill recommended planks and bridges for the best day-to-day core stability.

But it doesn’t need to be that intense. NHS Fife recommends moves like cat-cow yoga patterns and kneeling planks to keep your trunk steady.

Of course, ab-focused sit-ups and crunches have their place too ― but if you’re hoping to get the best benefits from a strong core, it might be time to expand your understanding of the area to more parts of your body.

Should Kids Really Stop Drinking Slushies? Here’s What A GP Says

Posted on 14/03/2025 by Boris Clair

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) say that children under the age of five should steer clear of “slush”-style ice drinks and under-11s should have no more than one slushie.

This is because its sweetener, glycerol, has the “potential to cause side-effects such as headaches and sickness, particularly when consumed in excess,” the FSA says.

But recently, researchers have said that kids under eight should avoid the cooling treat too.

A study published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood looked at 21 cases of children who ended up in A&E within an hour or so of drinking slushies.

It found that, especially when children drink slushies quickly, it can lead “glycerol intoxication syndrome” (which can cause unconsciousness and even seizures).

As a result, the paper recommended: “younger children, especially those under 8 years of age, should avoid slush ice drinks containing glycerol.”

But if the ingredient can be so dangerous, should any of us drink it? We spoke to Dr Olalekan Otulana, a GP at Ocean Recovery and Cassiobury Court, about how the information should inform slushie lovers and parents alike.

The GP agrees that children under eight should steer clear of the drink

“The advice to keep children under eight away from slushies containing glycerol is reasonable,” the doctor told us.

After all, the ingredient isn’t just a problem at A&E-visit-causing levels; milder cases of glycerol “intoxication” can still lead to nausea, headaches, and vomiting.

“However if you are extending [the advice] further to all age groups this may not be necessary,” Dr Otulana continued.

“Older children and adults are less likely to experience harmful effects unless they are consuming excessive amounts quickly. It is commonly used in food and is generally safe in small quantities.”

Indeed the FSA write that “glycerol is generally of low toxicity”, though they acknowledge “concerns about the effect on young children when large quantities are consumed over a short period of time.”

Still, the researchers of the recent paper say that because most customers have no idea how much glycerol is in a given slushie ― and because children’s weight and health differs so much ― “estimating a safe dose is… not easy.”

So, while Dr Otulana says most older children and adults are likely alright to enjoy “occasional consumption” of slushies, he warns against “drinking it in high amounts”.

Is the FSA thinking of changing its guidelines about slushies?

The FSA’s director of policy, Rebecca Sudworth, says the agency is “carefully” reviewing the new information.

“We continue to strongly encourage parents to follow [the current] advice which is that slushie drinks should not be given to children under four years old. Retailers are also advised to make parents fully aware of this guidance,” she said.

“While the symptoms of glycerol intoxication are usually mild, it is important that parents are aware of the risks ― particularly at high levels of consumption.”

I’m A Doctor — Focusing Too Much On Your Protein Intake Is Putting Your Health At Risk

Posted on 08/03/2025 by Boris Clair

In his latest newsletter, NHS Surgeon and TikTok creator Dr Karan Rajan reveals that back in 2018, he was doing pretty significant damage to his gut health without even realising it.

He says: “My Indian ancestors were spiritually shaking their heads at me, because despite coming from a lineage of fibre-laden dal, lentils, and spice-rich cuisine, my diet at the time contained about as much fibre as a wet paper towel.

“You could almost hear the garam masala, coriander, and cumin seeds collectively sighing in disappointment every time I ate yet another low-fibre, protein-heavy meal.”

However, his gut health seemed fine. He was regularly passing stools, still very active and, in his words, “Nothing about my daily life screamed -you are a fibre-deficient failure.”

However, his blood tests said otherwise

While the routine blood tests he undertook didn’t suggest that a heart attack was imminent, Dr Rajan did experience a bit of a shock to the system when they revealed that his health wasn’t quite where it should be.

He explains: “let’s just say certain fractions of my cholesterol were slightly higher than they should have been. My triglycerides were creeping up, whispering ominous things about my future and the overall pattern wasn’t what you’d expect from a “healthy” young person.”

Initially, it didn’t make sense to the doctor. He didn’t eat fast food, he regularly exercised and his diet appeared to be overall pretty good.

Then, he explained, “it hit me…I had completely neglected one of the most powerful metabolic regulators: fibre.”

Fibre: essential for more than just bowel movements

Dr Rajan says: “Most people think of fibre as nature’s plumbing assistant; helpful for keeping you regular, preventing constipation, and producing structurally sound poops.

“But fibre is a metabolic heavyweight.”

He explains that some of the benefits of fibre include:

Cholesterol regulation: “It reduces cholesterol reabsorption, meaning less circulates in the blood, keeping arteries unclogged”
Blood glucose control: ”High-fibre diets have been linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes… and if you already have diabetes, fibre can blunt those glucose swings”
Cognitive & neurological benefits: Emerging research suggests fibre indirectly supports brain health by feeding gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs reduce neuroinflammation, improve the gut-brain axis, and may even protect against cognitive decline
Microbiome & liver function: ”A fibre-rich diet lowers systemic inflammation, reducing fatty liver disease risk and keeping gut-derived endotoxins from overwhelming the liver”

The UK Government also urges that we should eat more fibre

On their website, The British Nutrition Foundation warns: “Adults in the UK are not consuming enough fibre. On average, we consume about 20g per day rather than the recommended 30g.”

The UK Government also urges that eating more fibre can reduce your risk of bowel cancer, adding: “Fibre is an important part of a healthy diet as it aids digestion, prevents constipation and helps to reduce your risk of bowel cancer. Foods like wholegrain cereals, wholewheat pasta, oats, beans, chickpeas, and lentils are all sources of fibre.”

How to add more fibre to your diet

The NHS recommends the following steps:

Choose a higher-fibre breakfast cereal such as plain wholewheat biscuits (like Weetabix) or plain shredded whole grain (like Shredded wheat), or porridge as oats are also a good source of fibre.
Go for wholemeal or granary breads, or higher fibre white bread, and choose wholegrains like wholewheat pasta, bulgur wheat or brown rice
Go for potatoes with their skins on, such as a baked potato or boiled new potatoes. Find out more about starchy foods and carbohydrates.
Add pulses like beans, lentils or chickpeas to stews, curries and salads.
Include plenty of vegetables with meals, either as a side dish or added to sauces, stews or curries
Have some fresh or dried fruit, or fruit canned in natural juice for dessert. Because dried fruit is sticky, it can increase the risk of tooth decay, so it’s better if it is only eaten as part of a meal, rather than as a between-meal snack
For snacks, try fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, rye crackers, oatcakes and unsalted nuts or seeds

This Is Officially The Worst Position To Sleep In, Expert Says

Posted on 05/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Side sleepers, take note: GI surgeon Dr Karan Rajan says that kipping on your left-hand side is way better for battling indigestion than your right.

The position “makes it harder for the contents [of your stomach] to leak into your oesophagus, meaning you’ll have a lower chance of acid reflux,” he explained.

If I was capable of actually falling asleep on my side, I’d consider taking that advice.

But I’m doomed to lie face-down, like a sloth ineffectively clinging to a too-big mattress trunk, if I plan on dozing at all.

The bad news continues: sleep coach James Wilson, also known as The Sleep Geek, says that’s the worst possible position to fall asleep in.

What’s wrong with sleeping on your front?

In an Instagram Reel, James said: “It is bad for your spine, your neck, your hips your knees, your whole body really.

Sleep on your side, preferably, or your back, (not great for snoring) to wake up less, and to spend less at the physio.”

He also recently told The Telegraph that the position is most likely to cause injury and added in his Instagram Reel that it will disrupt “both the quality and the quantity” of your sleep.

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust agrees, writing that the posse generally isn’t advised because “you are more likely to move out of the midline position and strain your neck.”

If it’s truly the only way you can settle down, they advise putting a pillow under your stomach to prevent back pain.

So… how should I sleep?

If you can at all, “Start sleeping on your side, put a pillow between your legs, and give the pillow a hug,” James advised.

Cardiologist and director of Mayo Clinic’s sleep facility Dr Virend Somers agrees that sleeping on your side is probably best, saying you should elevate your head a little if you can too.

Sigh… I suppose I need to make some life changes.

I’m A GP ― Never Ignore These 3 ‘Normal’ Seeming Symptoms

Posted on 03/03/2025 by Boris Clair

Tiredness is common complaint in the UK, which can make it hard to work out when to actually see a GP about your sleep issues.

Other potential symptoms ― severe period pain, bruises, and even fingernail changes ― can seem like “normal” signs, but are sometimes worth a trip to the doctor too.

In a helpful TikTok, Dr Ahmed, a GP, shared some information which might make the “normal or not?” call easier to make.

He said: “Here are three symptoms you may think are normal, but they are not, and you need to see a doctor if you have them.”

1) Back pain that lasts longer than six weeks

Though the issue is “very, very common” and “can have many causes, and most of them are completely benign,“Dr Ahmed says you really ought to see your GP if it lasts longer than six weeks.

It doesn’t matter how harmless you think the issue is ― “go to your doctor to make sure there’s no serious underlying cause” after the time ends, Dr Ahmed advised.

2) A sudden increase in eye floaters

Of course, eye floaters are common and usually aren’t cause for alarm. They “look a bit like squiggly worms ― some may be see-through” while others might be opaque, Dr Ahmed shared.

“It’s generally much worse when you look at bright light.”

While they’re usually completely harmless, Dr Ahmed says that if you experience a “sudden increase in the number of floaters” or lots of dark spots in your vision, you should get it checked out.

This “could be signs of a serious problem with the back of your eye, which could permanently affect your vision if it’s not treated quickly,” the NHS warns.

3) Chronic fatigue

“A lot of people may have” this but “ignore” it, Dr Ahmed says.

“Now I don’t just mean feeling a little bit tired all the time or if you’ve got a very good reason for feeling tired,” he explained.

He’s talking instead about “extreme fatigue, where you can’t function when there’s no obvious reason or cause, especially when this has started relatively recently.”

Though there could be “hundreds” of reasons for the change, a lot of them are worth speaking to your doctor about, he continued.

I’m A Hearing Specialist — These Are The Earwax Colours You Shouldn’t Ignore

Posted on 01/03/2025 by Boris Clair

It turns out our bodily fluids and waxes can actually tell us a lot about our overall health. Yes, once you overcome the ‘ick’ that these juices give you, they can be very helpful.

In fact, Hannah Samuels, an in-house audiologist at Boots Hearingcare, urges that as more people are becoming aware of their ear health, it’s essential that we learn exactly what our earwax colours mean.

I’m all ears. (Sorry.)

What does the colour of your earwax mean?

Yellow or light brown

If you have noticed that your earwax is yellow or light brown, then good news: you’re likely doing well. Samuels explains that this “typically indicates healthy earwax production” as fresh earwax is often lighter in colour.

Dark brown

If it’s actually a little darker, this can indicate that the earwax has been in the ear for a while and has dried out. Samuels assures that this is still considered normal though it could be a sign that the wax has been exposed to dust or debris.

Black

Black earwax can result from old, dried-up earwax, especially if it’s been in the ear for a long time. It can also occur if there’s been frequent exposure to earwax buildup or irritation. In some cases, it could indicate a fungal or bacterial infection.

Green

If your earwax is green and accompanied by symptoms such as pain, itching or discharge, you may have an ear infection. Samuels says: “The colour comes from the presence of bacteria, or sometimes, the discharge from an infection.”

Red or bloody

This can be a sign of irritation or injury to the ear canal. It might happen if you accidentally scratch or injure the ear while cleaning it, or it could be due to an infection. Samuels urges that if the bleeding persists, it’s best to see a doctor.

Orange

A reddish-orange or orange earwax is usually a mixture of fresh and old earwax. Samuels says: “It can be typical for individuals with a natural combination of oils and earwax in the ear.”

Clear

Clear earwax is less common, but it can occur. It is usually associated with watery or fluid-like earwax which might indicate that the ear is trying to flush out an irritant or infection.

“Whilst colour is an important factor, other things can be good indicators of your hearing health, and help ensure you are protecting your hearing, and lowering your risk of hearing loss,” Samuels shares.

Signs of healthy earwax

If you are sill concerned about your overall ear health, Samuels shares some signs of healthy earwax:

Texture: “Earwax that’s healthy is usually soft and slightly sticky, which helps it trap dust, debris, and microbes to protect the ear canal. It is not too dry, crumbly, or hard.”

Odour: “Healthy earwax doesn’t have a strong smell. It might have a faint, neutral odour. If you notice a foul smell, it could indicate an infection, ear canal irritation, or the presence of bacteria.”

Discomfort: “Your earwax shouldn’t cause discomfort. If you’re not experiencing pain, itching, or a feeling of fullness in the ear, it’s a good sign that your earwax is at a normal, healthy level.”

Movement: “Your ear has a self-cleaning mechanism that pushes earwax out of the ear canal over time. Healthy earwax is usually not something you need to remove manually unless it’s excessive or causing problems. The natural process moves earwax to the outer ear where it dries up and flakes off.”

No unusual build-up: “Earwax should not cause a blockage or excessive buildup. If earwax accumulates excessively and leads to partial or full blockage, it might need attention. Sometimes, earwax buildup can cause hearing loss, which is rare in individuals with a healthy earwax production process.”

Samuels concludes that as long as you aren’t experiencing symptoms like itching, pain, hearing loss, or a persistent change in earwax colour or texture, your earwax is “likely healthy”.

“If you’re concerned about any changes in your earwax or have one of the causes of concern about ear wax colours, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately,” she adds.

I’m An ADHD Assessor — These 2 Signs In Adults Show It’s ‘Not Just Disorganisation’

Posted on 26/02/2025 by Boris Clair

We’ve recently written at HuffPost UK about how to spot the signs of autism in adult women and young girls.

Autism diagnoses in the UK have risen; alongside that, more and more adults have received treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Still, ADHD UK says over 80% of cases go undiagnosed. That’s partly because, a 2014 paper says, people often get treated for conditions associated with ADHD (like oppositional defiance disorder and depression), but not ADHD itself.

Additionally, ADHD “was, until recently, erroneously perceived as only present in young people, with little or no impact later in life,” according to a review of literature on the topic, despite persisting into adulthood in roughly a third to two-thirds of cases.

So, we reached out to Dr Mikki Lee Elembaby, a Manhattan-based psychologist from Clarity Therapy NYC, who specialises in autism and ADHD assessment, to find out how to tell “regular” disorganisation from ADHD in adults.

What are the signs?

It can be hard to draw a distinction between non-clinical disorganisation and ADHD, the expert told HuffPost UK, “because disorganisation can look different for different people and manifest differently in various areas of life”.

It may affect how tidy people’s homes are, how focused they can stay in conversation, how well they can stick to routines, and how often they lose things.

But two signs that distinguish one from the other, the psychologist told us, are:

1. Intensity

“One key sign to look for is the level of disorganisation,” Dr Elembaby advised.

“If it’s chronic and pervasive, meaning it persists despite your best efforts and significantly impacts your work, relationships, or daily life, it could be a sign of ADHD.”

2. Accompanying symptoms

Signs of ADHD may appear in disorganised people, the expert told us, but ADHD is “a pattern of persistent struggles with attention, impulse control, and self-regulation across multiple areas of life”.

That means it involves a series of concurrent symptoms, including:

Difficulty focusing or staying on task
Impulsivity (acting without thinking)
Poor time management
Forgetfulness
Hyperactivity.

“To meet the clinical criteria for ADHD, these symptoms must show up in multiple settings, like work, school, and home, and have been present before age 12 (even if they weren’t obvious at the time, especially in girls),” Dr Elembaby said.

What if I think I have ADHD?

The assessor says it’s time to speak to an expert if “your attentional challenges are negatively impacting your quality of life and if you are experiencing a pattern of difficulties with organisation and time management, attention and focus, impulse control, emotional regulation, or work, school, or home responsibilities”.

The NHS says your GP might refer you for an assessment if they think you have ADHD.

The health service adds that while ADHD diagnosis is trickier for adults because not all professionals agree on what counts as an adult case, they say that sometimes “an adult may be diagnosed with ADHD if they have 5 or more of the symptoms of inattentiveness, or 5 or more of hyperactivity and impulsiveness, listed in diagnostic criteria for children with ADHD”.