How your eyes could reveal if you have ADHD – plus 9 signs of the condition to look out for
While your vision might appear fine, a study published last month found certain characteristics at the back of the eye might point to the behavioural condition.
Scientists in South Korea trained computers to spot signs of ADHD, short for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, by looking at changes in the eye.
An AI computer model was able to predict the condition with 96 per cent accuracy just by analysing images of the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye, also called the retina.
The team found key signs in the retina, such as more blood vessels, thicker vessels, and smaller optic discs (how the eye connected to the brain), which could show someone has ADHD.
These eye changes may reflect how the brain develops in people with the condition since the retina is closely linked to the brain.
"Our analysis of retinal fundus photographs demonstrated potential as a noninvasive biomarker for ADHD screening," the researchers, led by a team from Yonsei University College of Medicine, wrote in their paper.
It's estimated that up to 2.6million children and adults in the UK have been diagnosed with ADHD.
While globally, around five per cent of people are thought to be affected.
It can make people seem restless and cause them to get easily distracted.
Most cases are diagnosed in children under 12, but the number of adults being diagnosed is on the rise.
Experts think this is due to a combination of increased awareness, decreased stigma, and improved access to healthcare.
Do you or your child have ADHD- Here's the NHS test as Brits waiting two years for diagnosis
For the new study, published in npj Digital Medicine, experts tested the AI model on eye images from 323 children and teens with ADHD and 323 without.
The AI system performed well in predicting ADHD and identifying key signs of the disorder, including differences in the retina and how well someone can focus their attention.
Next, the researchers want to try these tests across larger groups of people and wider age ranges.
The average age of participants in this study was 9.5 years, but ADHD can present quite differently in adults.
A faster and more accurate diagnosis could help many people get the support they need sooner.
This is important as undiagnosed ADHD has been linked to struggles at work, relationship breakdowns, and poor mental health.
"Early screening and timely intervention can improve social, familial, and academic functioning in individuals with ADHD," the researchers said.
The 9 'hidden' signs of ADHD in adults
ADHD has long been associated with naughty schoolkids who cannot sit still in class.
And that is part of it. Fidgeting, daydreaming and getting easily distracted are all symptoms of the behavioural condition, which is why it is often spotted in children.
However, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is far more complex than simply having trouble focusing.
Henry Shelford, CEO and co-founder of ADHD UK, says: 'If it isn't debilitating, it isn't ADHD.'
In recent years, social media has given rise to trends which conflate specific personality traits or single behaviours with ADHD.
You might be thinking, 'I'm always losing my keys, forgetting birthdays and I can never concentrate at work — I must have ADHD'. But it's not as simple as that.
Though these may all point to the condition, Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of The Chelsea Psychology Clinic, says: 'The key distinction lies in how much a behaviour impacts a person's daily life.
'Genuine ADHD symptoms affect multiple areas of life - work, relationships and emotional wellbeing - whereas personality traits are typically context-dependent and less disruptive.'
ADHD UK's Henry, who has the condition himself, adds: 'Having ADHD is hard. One in ten men with ADHD and one in four women with ADHD will at some point try to take their own lives.'
So how can ADHD manifest in someone's life? While hyperactivity is a common indicator, here are nine other subtle signs:
Time blindness - losing track of time, underestimating how long tasks will take, regularly being late or excessively early
Lack of organisation - a messy home, frequently misplacing items, forgetting deadlines
Hyperfocus - becoming deeply engrossed in activities for hours
Procrastination - feeling overwhelmed by to-do lists and struggling to determine what needs your attention first so focusing on less important tasks
Heightened emotions - emotional struggles can manifest in angry outbursts, feeling flooded with joy or shutting down because you feel too much at once
Being a 'yes man' - agreeing to new projects at work or dinner dates with friends when you're already busy (a desire to please)
Impatience - interrupting people mid-conversation, finding it painful to stand in a queue, being overly-chatty
Restlessness - tapping, pacing, fidgeting or feeling restless on the inside
Easily distracted - by external things, like noises, or internal things like thoughts
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I can only just about do it. But bruxism, the umbrella term for teeth-grinding or jaw clenching, does more than just make your jaw ache. In fact, it can cause a whole host of issues, from dental problems and headaches, to pain in the face, neck or shoulders, and TMJ disorders. To put it mildly, teeth grinding is no picnic — and it's even more annoying when you consider that you're most likely doing it subconciously. And while the current estimates would suggest that around 6.7 million Brits deal with condition, it seems to be on the rise. Post-pandemic, a USA-based 2021 survey among dentists found that 70% reported an increase in patients grinding and clenching their teeth. More recently, the hashtag #teethgrinding on TikTok has a staggering 262.9 million views, while #unclencyourjaw has 37.7 million. You can even buy tshirts and artwork on Etsy emblazoned with the phrase 'unclench your jaw'. And dentist Dr Sahil Patel, of London's Marylebone Smile Clinic, tells Metro that he's seeing an increasing number of patients displaying signs of bruxism. 'Well developed jaw muscles show as a squarer facial appearance or stronger jawline,' he explains. 'And, on the teeth themselves, bruxism causes accelerated tooth wear and breakage, making teeth look shorter, squarer and yellower. Tooth sensitivity and gum recession can also be a sign.' Why have we become a nation unable to relax our faces? While it's not always clear why people do it, stress and anxiety is a well-observed cause. 'Our patients are absoloutely more stressed than ever,' Dr Sahil says. 'They may not always disclose it to us, but we can sense when someone is stressed. We're seeing it more with younger people.' Mental Health UK's annual Burnout Report, released in January 2025, found that one in three adults either 'always or often' experience high or extreme levels of pressure or stress, while nine in 10 say they've experienced it at some point over the last year. Mind also found that women are more likely than men to experience common mental health problems (20.7% of women compared to 13.2% of men affected), with young women aged 16 to 24 at the highest risk. It's worth nothing that women are also more likely to experience bruxism, particularly when they're awake. Experts are pretty much in agreement that society is increasinly stressful. Chartered psychologist, Dr Manpreet Dhuffar-Pottiwal says we live an era of 'uncertainty and instability'. She tells Metro: 'Political unrest, economic fluctuations, and environmental crises result in an unpredictability which leaves people feeling out of control regarding their futures.' Our 'always-online' culture, particularly experienced by younger generations also doesn't help, as Dr Manpreet says we face 'technological overload.' 'Social media platforms promote curated representations of life, leading us to measure their worth against others. Additionally, urbanisation has contributed to a disconnection from nature. People confined to busy city lives miss out on the calming effects of the natural world.' Workplace pressures have changed too. 'The rise of remote work and gig economies has introduced ambiguity about job security and increased workloads,' says Dr Manpreet. 'Many young employees, striving for stability in uncertain times, experience burnout and chronic stress as they juggle multiple responsibilities. 'Rigid schedules and the lack of work-life balance lead many to neglect self-care practices.' And finally, as ever, the global pandemic plays a part. 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I helped my friend through cancer - then mine came back
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Scottish Sun
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I lost seven stone WITHOUT Mounjaro – here's three very simple things I've done that have helped me slim down & tone up
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MOTHER has revealed that she lost seven stone without using Mounjaro. According to Lucy, instead of injecting herself with fat jabs, she swears by three very simple and straightforward things to slim down and tone up. 2 A savvy mum has shared the three healthy habits she followed which enabled her to lose seven stone Credit: TikTok/@lucy52915 2 Instead of using Mounjaro, Lucy, who is from the UK, swears by eating right and exercising to tone up Credit: TikTok/@lucy52915 Posting on social media, the mum, who is from the UK, gave her followers a before and after look at her weight loss, leaving many totally stunned. Rather than forking out the cash and travelling abroad for weight loss surgery, this mother swears by eating right and exercising to get a body of dreams. And not only does she look incredible, but people are struggling to believe she is the same person as the woman in her 'before' photos. The stunner, who has slimmed down and is now '7 stone lighter' attributes her weight loss to three healthy habits - eating in a calorie deficit, walking and weight lifting. Lucy explained that she is breastfeeding, so isn't able to use Mounjaro. As a result, she took matters into her own hands on a mission to slim down and when it comes to her diet, rather than eating nothing but fruit and vegetables, she swears by a big focus on protein. She confirmed that she consumes 180g of protein every day, as well as 27g to 30g of fiber. When it comes to walking, the savvy mum stressed the importance of doing 10,000 steps every single day, which she has been doing since 1st September 2024. And when she's not walking, she's exercising in the gym. According to this content creator, who believes strongly in being consistent, if you want to feel your best and lose weight, lifting weights is key. I'm a 'former fatty' who lost 12 stone WITHOUT jabs - being slim means I don't have to eat in the car to avoid judgement This mother confirmed that she goes to the gym four times a week and does two glute focused sessions, one catered to full body exercises and another on her upper body. After putting the effort in, less than a year since kicking off her health and fitness journey, Lucy has now reached her goal weight and doesn't want to lose any more. The NHS 12-step plan to help you lose weight FROM faddy diets to dodgy detoxes - most of us have heard it all before when it comes to weight loss. But burning fat can be easy and mostly free. In fact, the NHS has a whole load of medically-approved tips for weight loss and shedding body fat once and for all... Don't skip breakfast Skipping breakfast will not help you lose weight. You could miss out on essential nutrients and you may end up snacking more throughout the day because you feel hungry. Eat regular meals Eating at regular times during the day helps burn calories at a faster rate. It also reduces the temptation to snack on foods high in fat and sugar. Eat plenty of fruit and veg Fruit and veg are low in calories and fat, and high in fibre – 3 essential ingredients for successful weight loss. They also contain plenty of vitamins and minerals. Get more active Being active is key to losing weight and keeping it off. As well as providing lots of health benefits, exercise can help burn off the excess calories you cannot lose through diet alone. Drink lots of water People sometimes confuse thirst with hunger. You can end up consuming extra calories when a glass of water is really what you need. Eat high fibre foods Foods containing lots of fibre can help keep you feeling full, which is perfect for losing weight. Fibre is only found in food from plants, such as fruit and veg, oats, wholegrain bread, brown rice and pasta, and beans, peas and lentils. Read food labels Knowing how to read food labels can help you choose healthier options. Use the calorie information to work out how a particular food fits into your daily calorie allowance on the weight loss plan. Use a smaller plate Using smaller plates can help you eat smaller portions. By using smaller plates and bowls, you may be able to gradually get used to eating smaller portions without going hungry. It takes about 20 minutes for the stomach to tell the brain it's full, so eat slowly and stop eating before you feel full. Don't ban foods Do not ban any foods from your weight loss plan, especially the ones you like. Banning foods will only make you crave them more. There's no reason you cannot enjoy the occasional treat as long as you stay within your daily calorie allowance. Don't stock junk food To avoid temptation, do not stock junk food – such as chocolate, biscuits, crisps and sweet fizzy drinks – at home. Instead, opt for healthy snacks, such as fruit, unsalted rice cakes, oat cakes, unsalted or unsweetened popcorn, and fruit juice. Cut down on alcohol A standard glass of wine can contain as many calories as a piece of chocolate. Over time, drinking too much can easily contribute to weight gain. Plan your meals Try to plan your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks for the week, making sure you stick to your calorie allowance. You may find it helpful to make a weekly shopping list. Social media users gush Her TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @lucy52915, has clearly impressed many, as it has quickly racked up 844,000 views, 21,600 likes and 1,169 comments. Social media users were gobsmacked by Lucy's weight loss and many eagerly flocked to the comments to express this. Wow!! You look like a younger version of Jennifer Aniston now. Very well done TikTok user One person said: 'You can tell this is natural too. No Mounjaro and excuses here! Well done for creating new habits and not cheating. This will set you up for life.' Another added: 'That is an amazing achievement. You should be so proud of yourself.' How cutting out sugar can help you lose weight It might sound obvious, but cutting out sugar can help you lose weight - and this is why Reduced alorie intake: Sugar is calorie-dense but not nutrient-dense, meaning it provides a lot of calories without making you feel full. By cutting out sugar, you naturally reduce your overall caloric intake, which can create a calorie deficit and lead to weight loss. Lower Insulin Levels: Consuming sugar, especially in large amounts, causes spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to increased insulin production. Insulin is a hormone that promotes fat storage. By reducing sugar intake, you can help stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels, making it easier for your body to burn fat. Decreased Cravings: Sugar can be addictive and lead to cravings for more sugary foods. By cutting it out, you may find that your cravings for unhealthy, high-calorie foods decrease, making it easier to stick to a healthier diet. Improved Satiety: Foods high in sugar are often low in fiber and protein, which are essential for feeling full and satisfied. By replacing sugary foods with more nutrient-dense options like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, you can increase your satiety and reduce overall calorie consumption. Better Nutrient Intake: When you cut out sugary foods, you often make room for more nutritious foods. This can improve your overall diet quality, providing your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs to function optimally, which can support weight loss efforts. Reduced Fat Storage: High sugar intake, particularly from fructose, can lead to increased fat production in the liver, contributing to weight gain and obesity. Cutting out sugar helps to reduce this effect. Enhanced Metabolism: Reducing sugar can improve metabolic health, including better insulin sensitivity and lower risk of metabolic syndrome, which can facilitate weight loss. By cutting out sugar and replacing it with healthier options, you can create a more balanced and sustainable diet that supports weight loss and overall well-being. A third commented: 'Wow you look amazing!! Well done.' At the same time, one user gushed: 'Wow!! You look like a younger version of Jennifer Aniston now. Very well done.' Meanwhile, someone else gasped: 'If that's the same person fair play.' To this, Lucy wrote back and confirmed: 'Yep it's me.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
