Channel 4's new documentary, The Great ADHD Myth?, asks whether ADHD is 'a genuine neurodevelopmental disorder, or a social construct.' The show's psychiatrist, Max Pemberton, has previously suggested ADHD could be a 'wildly overdiagnosed' 'fad.' The writer, diagnosed five years ago, says the answer wasn't a shock.
Documentary's approach criticized
Despite claiming a 'science-led approach,' the show used carefully-chosen sceptics and cherry-picked evidence, according to the writer. One expert called ADHD medication 'slow-release cocaine,' while others said it was 'worse' than corporal punishment or likened it to chemical castration. The writer, who has taken both, calls the cocaine comparison 'complete nonsense.'
The documentary merged provocative statements with elements of truth, latching onto legitimate concerns about big pharma, ultra-processed foods, and smartphone addiction. The writer says they're inclined to trust the World Health Organization, the NHS, and NICE in classifying ADHD as a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder.
Experiment with a 10-year-old boy
The show featured an experiment where 10-year-old Mason, who has ADHD, was taken off his meds for four weeks in favour of yoga, woodland walks, diet changes, and screen time limits. During the trial, he became 'more fun' and 'a proper character.' When his teacher reported he struggled to concentrate and was 'easier to teach' while medicated, it was labelled an 'educational issue.' At the end, Mason's mum Shauna decided to keep him off the drugs to avoid 'dulling his sparkle.' The credits revealed he went back on them after doing poorly in exams.
The writer calls this a clear example of real-world harms from questioning ADHD's existence. Ex-GP Iona Heath said on the show she'd 'ban the label ADHD, straight off' and 'stop medicating this group of people,' instead overhauling education to include more creative and sporting activities. The writer notes that until such a utopia exists, Mason must follow a set curriculum and adults with ADHD must work to earn a living.
Reality of living with ADHD
The writer agrees with some points about modernity and diagnoses, believing neurodivergence could be seen as an asset in a less rigid system. They acknowledge that instant gratification, sugar, and doomscrolling might not help symptoms. But they stress that life today relies on phones, long hours, and insecure jobs.
Medication is the most accessible way for many with ADHD to conform in a productivity-driven world. The writer notes research shows a seven to nine-year lower life expectancy for those with diagnosed ADHD, plus higher risks of substance abuse, unemployment, and suicide. They conclude that arguing semantics or demonising medication would be 'the biggest myth of all.'
