Latest news with #AliAjaz
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor reveals a shocking cause of ADHD symptoms that could have a simple fix
Taking iron supplements could be a simple fix for ADHD symptoms like brain fog, poor memory and difficulty focusing, a doctor suggests. Millions of Britons are now estimated to be living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with experts concerned about surging diagnoses. But now, speaking on Instagram, British consultant psychiatrist Dr Ali Ajaz suggested a surprising and 'underrated' cause of ADHD symptoms, low iron stores. In the clip, viewed over 75,000 times, he explained that low iron levels could make ADHD symptoms worse. 'If it's low your brain can't make dopamine properly. No dopamine equals no focus, poor memory, irritability and the "why the heck did I just walk into this room syndrome",' he said. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter which helps the brain function, particularly for functions like mood regulation and motivation. Low iron can also cause memory and focus problems even in those who don't have ADHD. Some experts have told MailOnline that this could—in some cases—make people believe they have the condition when they don't, however the extent of this is unknown. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ali Ajaz (@draliajaz) A previous study by French experts, writing in 2008 , that low iron can cause learning difficulties, irritability and reduced academic performance in children. Dr Ajaz adds: 'Sometimes your brain just doesn't need more hustle, it needs more raw materials. 'Feed the brain, fix the function.' However, in what he called a 'twist', Dr Ajaz said the blood test GPs commonly use to measure iron levels may not show you have problem. He explained these tests show active iron levels—the amount of the mineral in the bloodstream at any one time. Dr Ajaz said this had its flaws: 'That number bounces around depending on food, stress or even the time of day.' Instead, he said what people should look out for is their ferritin levels. Ferritin is a protein the body uses to store iron, and a test for it can give a more comprehensive view of how much iron a person has in their body regularly. Dr Ajaz said: 'This isn't just an issue for pregnant women or vegans. Studies show that even in adults, especially women with ADHD, low ferritin is shockingly common.' Therefore, he explained a way to combat ADHD symptoms is to increase iron intake through dietary choices and supplements. And studies suggest this could work. In 2023, experts at Cambridge University found boosting iron levels in women with ADHD significantly improved their mood, fatigue and sleep. Dr Aja also cited a 2022 study which found that over 40 per cent of women with ADHD had low ferritin. When these women were treated with iron supplements they all showed improvements in executive functioning and mood, he said. Researchers have previously estimated that low iron stores could be responsible for around a third of the intensity of ADHD symptoms. Iron is an essential mineral for all people as it is crucial for making red blood cells, which carry life-giving oxygen and blood around the body. This means getting enough iron is crucial for a range of bodily functions—including general energy and focus, digestive processes and a healthy immune system. Red meat and liver is touted by dietitians as rich sources of iron, with pulses and dark green vegetables including lentils, spinach and kale, good plant-based sources of iron. But it is also sold over-the-counter in supplement form, which containing around 14mg per tablet. This can be a good option for vegetarians and vegans who are more likely to have lower iron stores than people who eat meat—with dried fruit, wholemeal cereals and nuts all helping to boost levels of the essential mineral. Patients with low levels of iron intake can suffer from anaemia—a severe iron deficiency which can cause tiredness, heart palpitations and headaches. Pregnant women and those with heavy periods are most at risk of low iron levels. Under NHS guidance, men should aim for around 8.7mg of iron a day, with women aged 19 to 49-years-old recommended to have almost double this at 14.8mg. However, research has long suggested that too much iron can put people at higher risk of developing complications such as liver failure, diabetes, or heart failure. Excess iron can also lead to erectile dysfunction and a loss of sex drive in men and disrupt a woman's natural menstrual cycle. Whilst the exact cause of ADHD remains unclear, it's thought to be linked to problems with how the brain processes dopamine—a chemical that helps regulate attention. For many who live with the condition, symptoms including impulsiveness, problems with organisation and difficulty focusing can be exhausting. ADHD symptoms can be managed with drugs such as Ritalin—which works by increasing activity in the brain in areas that help control attention and behaviour. But, questions are beginning to emerge about the potential risks of these medicines, which range from poor appetite to—in some cases— dangerous heart damage. An estimated 2.5million people in England are now living with the attention deficit disorder. And data suggests more than a quarter of a million children and adults in the UK are now taking medication to combat their inattentiveness and hyperactivity, according to the latest NHS figures. Prescription rates for ADHD jumped by a fifth last year, marking the biggest annual rise since modern records began in 2015. Data suggests the surge has largely been fuelled by a rise in women in their 20s and 30s, although rates are still increasing in children. However, experts have warned MailOnline that the criteria medics use to assess if someone has ADHD is 'nebulous and elastic' meaning a one clinic may say a patient has the condition while another would say they didn't. This raises the prospect of private clinics are over-diagnosing the condition and the unnecessary widespread prescribing of powerful stimulant drugs to treat it. They have also warned many troubles that could prompt an ADHD diagnosis — such as difficulty maintaining attention at work or being distracted easily —are experiences most people have. Booming private ADHD diagnoses is thought to have been partly fuelled by celebrities such as model Katie Price and Love Island star Olivia Attwood talking about their ADHD ordeal and waits of up to ten years for an assessment on the NHS. Social media sites are also full of users telling how medication helped to calm them down, control their fidgeting and boost their concentration. But experts have also argued that ADHD was only officially listed in the UK as a disorder that affects adults in 2008. Before then, it was just recognised as a childhood problem that kids grew out of. As a result, rather than being over diagnosed, some experts claim many adults now being told they have ADHD have gone years having their symptoms dismissed.
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Doctor shares five signs of ADHD - and they're 'often missed'
A doctor has shared the signs he often sees in people with ADHD, and explained that they are "often missed" A doctor has highlighted the signs he frequently observes in people suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The expert suggests these signs are "often missed", which can lead to ADHD being undiagnosed or unnoticed. Dr Ali Ajaz, a consultant psychiatrist, regularly imparts information and guidance to his over 94.6k followers on TikTok. In a recent video, he outlined five symptoms that could potentially indicate someone has ADHD. ADHD is a behavioural condition. According to the NHS, individuals with ADHD may appear restless, struggle with concentration and act impulsively. ADHD symptoms usually become apparent at a young age and can become more noticeable when a child's circumstances alter, such as starting school. Occasionally, ADHD may not be identified during childhood, resulting in a diagnosis later in adulthood. A recent video from Dr Ajaz was captioned: "Five common signs of ADHD that are often missed!" In the clip, the doctor said: "Five signs of ADHD that most people miss. Hi, I'm Doctor Ali Ajaz consultant psychiatrist and it's my day job to help people with ADHD thrive. "First up, we have time blindness. People with ADHD often struggle to estimate just how long things take, leading to chronic lateness or underestimating tasks. It's not laziness, it's more biological." He added: "Second is emotional reactivity. ADHD just isn't about focus, it's about feeling everything intensely, small frustrations can lead to big emotional outbursts that feel impossible to control in the moment. "Third is mental restlessness. Even if someone looks calm on the outside, the brain might be racing non stop, jumping from thought to thought. It's exhausting and it's invisible." The doctor said the fourth sign is 'interest-based attention.' He said: "Now ADHD brains don't struggle with attention across the board, they struggle more when things aren't stimulating, like the more mundane things in life. But when something is interesting, total hyper-focus is a big risk." The fifth sign, according to Dr Ajaz, is chronic procrastination. He added: "It's not about poor discipline, it's difficulty starting tasks without a dopamine hit. The brain resists even simple things until the last minute panic kicks in." Signs of ADHD in adults According to NHS guidance, identifying ADHD symptoms in adults presents more of a challenge. While the core symptoms—namely inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness—are similar across ages, their impact on adults will diverge significantly from their effects on children. For instance, adults may experience less overt hyperactivity but maintain difficulties with inattention as the complexities of adult life escalate. Symptoms tend to be considerably subtler when compared to those noticed in children. Experts have proposed this list of symptoms indicative of ADHD in adults: inability to deal with stress carelessness and lack of attention to detail taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously poor organisational skills inability to focus or prioritise blurting out responses and often interrupting others forgetfulness extreme impatience difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn continually losing or misplacing things mood swings, irritability and a quick temper continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones restlessness and edginess
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'I'm a doctor and this is exactly what happens during an ADHD assessment'
A doctor has shared exactly what happens during an assessment for Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Consultant psychiatrist, Dr Ali Ajaz, says that he has assessed "many, many people" with suspected ADHD. Speaking to his 90k TikTok followers, the doctor shared the different ways patients are analysed, before and during an assessment. READ MORE: Next's 'on trend' £32 denim shirt that makes for a 'fail safe summer outfit' READ MORE: I visited the sculpture park 75 minutes from Birmingham that's perfect for a family day out The NHS describes ADHD as a behavioural condition where individuals may appear restless, have difficulty focusing, and act impulsively. READ MORE: PIP claimants won't get extra cash this month amid DWP delay Symptoms usually emerge early in life and can become more pronounced with changes in environment, such as starting school. Dr Ajaz said: "Ever wondered what happens in an ADHD assessment? Well, come here, let's find out. "Hi, my name is Dr Ali Ajaz, consultant psychiatrist, and I've assessed many, many people with ADHD. "And if you book an assessment with me, this is what happens. So firstly, soon after you book, you receive an email from me containing three forms to complete and return back to me before we meet. "One form is the ASRS screening form for ADHD symptoms. The second is a more detailed questionnaire with 18 questions, covering a range of possible ADHD symptoms. "And the third form is not actually for you, it's for someone who knows you well enough to be able to comment upon your mental health. "And often when it comes to ADHD, it's really helpful to get parents account, siblings or partners, especially if you've been together a long time. "Next, I take a full clinical history which really charts your personal history from the day you were born, your childhood, school life, home life and overall life journey until the current day. "We also review your medical and psychiatric history, any treatments that you've had, any therapies that you've had in the past or taking at the moment, or any over the counter medications or supplements that you're also taking." He continued: "And another important aspect is your social history. What are your current social networks like? Family history of any mental health problems? "It's also really important to establish, along with any history, current or past of alcohol use and or recreational drugs. "And finally, after being really nosy about your life, we review the symptoms of ADHD that you may be experiencing and contextualise them into the journey of your life." According to the NHS, ADHD symptoms in adults can include: inability to deal with stress carelessness and lack of attention to detail taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously poor organisational skills inability to focus or prioritise blurting out responses and often interrupting others forgetfulness extreme impatience difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn continually losing or misplacing things mood swings, irritability and a quick temper continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones restlessness and edginess
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Doctor shares exactly what happens at an ADHD assessment
A doctor shared the different ways patients are analysed, before and during an assessment. A doctor has shared exactly what happens when he assesses patients for signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dr Ali Ajaz, a consultant psychiatrist with over 90k TikTok followers, shared the different ways patients are analysed, before and during an assessment. The NHS describes ADHD as a behavioural condition where individuals may appear restless, have difficulty focusing, and act impulsively. Symptoms usually emerge early in life and can become more pronounced with changes in environment, such as starting school. However, some individuals may not receive a diagnosis until adulthood if ADHD was not identified during childhood. In a recent TikTok video, Dr Ajaz shared exactly what happens when he assesses someone for ADHD. The doctor said: "Ever wondered what happens in an ADHD assessment? Well, come here, let's find out. Hi, my name is Dr Ali Ajaz, consultant psychiatrist, and I've assessed many, many people with ADHD. "And if you book an assessment with me, this is what happens. So firstly, soon after you book, you receive an email from me containing three forms to complete and return back to me before we meet. "One form is the ASRS screening form for ADHD symptoms. The second is a more detailed questionnaire with 18 questions, covering a range of possible ADHD symptoms. "And the third form is not actually for you, it's for someone who knows you well enough to be able to comment upon your mental health. And often when it comes to ADHD, it's really helpful to get parents account, siblings or partners, especially if you've been together a long time." The doctor added: "Next, I take a full clinical history which really charts your personal history from the day you were born, your childhood, school life, home life and overall life journey until the current day. We also review your medical and psychiatric history, any treatments that you've had, any therapies that you've had in the past or taking at the moment, or any over the counter medications or supplements that you're also taking." He also said: "And another important aspect is your social history. What are your current social networks like? Family history of any mental health problems? It's also really important to establish, along with any history, current or past of alcohol use and or recreational drugs. "And finally, after being really nosy about your life, we review the symptoms of ADHD that you may be experiencing and contextualise them into the journey of your life." According to the NHS, ADHD symptoms in adults include: inability to deal with stress carelessness and lack of attention to detail taking risks in activities, often with little or no regard for personal safety or the safety of others – for example, driving dangerously poor organisational skills inability to focus or prioritise blurting out responses and often interrupting others forgetfulness extreme impatience difficulty keeping quiet, and speaking out of turn continually losing or misplacing things mood swings, irritability and a quick temper continually starting new tasks before finishing old ones restlessness and edginess
