ADHD Game-Changers: What the 2025 ADHD Congress in Prague Means for You
TL;DR: The Biggest ADHD Event in History Just Dropped Some Major Updates
The 10th World Congress on ADHD just wrapped up in Prague, and honestly? It was massive. We're talking 2,400+ people from 79 countries – the biggest ADHD gathering EVER. And the takeaways? We are refining everything we have done and introducing more critical, skills-based approaches.
If you're a Gen Z'er (13-24 years of age) with ADHD, or a parent trying to navigate this journey, here's what you absolutely need to know from the world's top ADHD researchers and clinicians:
The Vibe Check: ADHD Is Getting a Major Rebrand
The Big Theme: "Modernising the Concept of ADHD"
Translation? We're finally moving past the outdated "disorder" narrative. The congress literally opened with a film featuring people with ADHD sharing their own perspectives – because apparently, it took until 2025 for the medical world to realise we should actually listen to people who HAVE ADHD when talking about ADHD. Revolutionary, right?
What this means for you:
- Your ADHD isn't something that needs to be "fixed" – it's neurodiversity – and we at Voix strongly believe it.
- Strengths-based approaches are becoming mainstream medicine, not just TikTok positivity
- Your lived experience matters and is being taken seriously by researchers
The Medication Reality Check: Plot Twist on Heart Safety
The Headlines You Probably Saw: "ADHD Meds Might Affect Your Heart" The Actual Science: It's way more nuanced than clickbait suggests.
Here's what the research actually found:
- ALL ADHD medications (yes, even the non-stimulants) can cause small increases in blood pressure and heart rate
- The keyword is SMALL – we're talking averages of about 5 points of blood pressure and 5 beats per minute
- Most people stay within healthy ranges
- Higher doses (1.5x normal) over long periods carry more risk, but lower doses? You're probably fine
What your doctor should be doing now:
- Checking your blood pressure and heart rate BEFORE starting ANY ADHD med (not just stimulants) – as we usually do at Voix, and will continue this good clinical practice
- Regular check-ins during treatment – apologies for the inconvenience, but it is a good medicine!
- Using the lowest effective dose
- Actually talking to you about risks vs. benefits instead of just handing you a prescription
Real talk: Don't panic and stop your meds. The benefits still massively outweigh the risks for most people. But do have that conversation with us if you have any concerns. This is a part of our journey to make the most of the medication without any problems, short—and long-term.
The Cool New Treatments That Sound Like Sci-Fi
The congress showcased some genuinely exciting alternatives that aren't just "take this pill twice a day":
Gut Health + ADHD = 🤯
Turns out your gut microbiome (the bacteria in your digestive system) might play a bigger role in ADHD than we thought. This could mean:
- Probiotic treatments for ADHD symptoms
- Dietary interventions may be a part of a comprehensive approach to ADHD, but nothing specific is sufficiently validated to be routinely recommended by us
- Understanding why that "ADHD diet" your aunt suggested might not be total nonsense
Brain Stimulation That's Not Invasive
- Transcranial direct current stimulation (fancy electric brain zaps)—well, I'm not sure if there is enough evidence to suggest this treatment, at least at this stage.
- fMRI-guided neurofeedback (basically training your brain with real-time brain scans) - promising
Personalised Medicine
The future is moving toward genetic testing to predict:
- Which medications will work best for YOU specifically
- Your individual risk factors
- Customised treatment plans based on your genetic makeup
The Emotional Regulation Breakthrough
One of the award-winning studies focused on emotional dysregulation and self-harm risk in adults with ADHD – and this is huge because:
- Emotional regulation problems are finally being recognized as core ADHD symptoms, not just "side effects"
- There's real research on preventing mental health crises in ADHD
- Treatment is expanding beyond just "focus better" to "feel better"
Practical impact: Your therapist should be addressing emotional regulation as part of ADHD treatment, not treating it as a separate issue.
For Parents: How to Actually Help Your ADHD Teen/Young Adult
Stop Trying to "Fix" Them
The congress emphasised strength-based approaches. Instead of asking "How do we make them more neurotypical?" ask "How do we help them thrive as they are?"
The Medication Conversation Needs an Update
- Heart monitoring applies to ALL ADHD meds now, not just stimulants
- We should not panic about cardiovascular risks, but stay informed
- If the patient wants to stop meds, explore why instead of just saying no
Transition Planning is Critical
- Start planning the move to adult care BEFORE they turn 18
- Find adult ADHD specialists early (they're in high demand) – we do not have this problem at Voix – we cater for all age groups; this comment applies to paediatric care only (up to 18 years of age)
- Consider telehealth options for college students
Suicide Risk is Real
The research shows a higher risk of erratic and self-harming behaviours with ADHD, especially around emotional dysregulation. This isn't meant to scare you – it's meant to make you proactive about mental health support.
The Neurodiversity Revolution is Here
What's changing: ADHD is increasingly being understood through “a neurodiversity lens” – meaning it's a different way of thinking, not a broken way of thinking.
What this means practically:
- CBT approaches are being questioned if they encourage "masking" authentic ADHD traits
- Accommodations are shifting from "helping disabled people function" to "creating environments where different brains can thrive"
- The goal isn't to make ADHD people act neurotypical – it's to build a world that works for everyone
The Global Perspective
This congress brought together researchers from everywhere, and some universal truths emerged:
- ADHD looks the same across cultures, but treatment needs to be culturally adapted
- Environmental factors (COVID, climate change, social media) are impacting ADHD in new ways
- The digital generation needs digital-native approaches to ADHD care
What to Do With All This Information
If You Have ADHD:
- Stay on your meds (if they're working) but have informed conversations with us about monitoring – we should dynamically optimise the treatment and get the most out of it in the context of the other interventions
- Explore new treatment options – ask about neurofeedback, gut health approaches, or other alternatives
- Stay healthy – sleep (limit screen times) and a good, consistent diet are crucial – nothing new, but clearly a common sense 😊
- Own your neurodiversity – you're not broken, you're different
- Advocate for yourself in healthcare, education, and work settings
If You're a Parent:
- Update your knowledge – ADHD understanding has evolved rapidly
- Focus on strengths while addressing challenges
- Prepare for transitions early and thoughtfully
For Everyone:
The biggest takeaway from Prague 2025? ADHD research and treatment are evolving faster than ever. What was "best practice" five years ago might be outdated now.
The future of ADHD care is personalised, strength-based, and designed BY and FOR people with ADHD. And honestly? It's about time.
Want to stay updated on ADHD research? The next World Congress will be in Cape Town in 2027 – with the momentum from Prague, it will be even bigger.
For sure, there’s a lot more to think about and talk about, so let’s share and create a Voix Guide together, and find out what’s important for YOU.
