Channel 4 airs a documentary titled The Great ADHD Myth? this evening, questioning whether ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder or a social construct. The program asks if ADHD is a real, diagnosable condition or made up. Ahead of the broadcast, leading charity ADHD UK published an open letter calling on Channel 4 to reframe elements of it, arguing that 'A question mark is not a get-out-of-harm-free card.' The letter states that asking this question creates harm and stigma, adding: 'ADHD is not scientifically controversial. It is recognised by the World Health Organisation, the NHS, NICE, and every major medical body on Earth.' It also warns: 'This is not a parlour debate. People die.'
ADHD is a lifelong condition with scientific backing
The claim that ADHD is not a lifelong neurodevelopmental disorder is false. The NHS defines ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder, affecting brain development and function, as per the American Psychiatric Association. Dr Claudia Aymerich, consultant psychiatrist at Berkeley, tells Metro: 'Evidence shows a genetic and neurobiological basis for ADHD, especially concerning brain mechanisms responsible for attention, executive function and impulse control.' Studies show structural brain differences, such as a smaller prefrontal cortex, persist into adulthood.
Environmental factors like ultra-processed food and screen time can worsen symptoms but do not cause ADHD. Hester Grainger, a neurodiversity consultant and ADHD coach, explains: 'Things like ultra-processed food and too much screen time can affect how we feel and function. Sometimes ADHD traits can feel harder to manage because of them, but they don't cause ADHD. I grew up in the 1970s without a smartphone, and I still have ADHD.'
Diagnoses are increasing, not the condition itself
While diagnoses have surged, ADHD still affects only 2% to 6% of the world's population. A UCL study found a twenty-fold increase in diagnoses from 2000 to 2018, with a nearly fifty-fold rise in prescriptions for men aged 18-29. This does not mean 'everyone' has it; the condition's prevalence remains stable.
In the documentary, Dr Max Pemberton pays £1,200 to obtain a diagnosis despite not believing he has it, by mimicking neurodivergent responses. However, assessments consider speech patterns, body language, and family history. Dr Andrea Pickering, clinical director at Clinical Partners, previously told Metro that symptoms like distractibility are relatable, but 'The key difference is that for someone with ADHD, these symptoms are persistent, pervasive and significantly impact their ability to function in daily life, across multiple settings such as work, school and relationships.'
ADHD affects women and girls, and medication is safe
The myth that only hyperactive boys have ADHD is false. Women and girls often have internal hyperactivity, leading to underdiagnosis. The ADHD Foundation estimates 50-70% of the 1,000,000 women in the UK with ADHD are undiagnosed. Hester notes: 'People, including women, can be diagnosed with combined ADHD, which includes hyperactivity but they can be internally hyperactive. So you can't see it externally, but inside their brain it's non-stop.'
ADHD medication is not 'slow-release cocaine.' Dr Samantha Hiew, founder of ADHD Girls, says: 'No, absolutely not. The right medication can really prop someone's life up.' Dr Manish Rao, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, adds: 'Routine monitoring for minor physical effects are standard practice (like blood pressure or growth). However, research shows the risks of untreated ADHD – including higher rates of depression, substance misuse, and accidental injury – far outweigh the monitored risks of medication.'
ADHD is not a new condition; it was termed 'hyperkinetic reaction of childhood' in 1968, with descriptions dating to the 1700s. Hester concludes: 'People had ADHD long before we had the language, awareness, or diagnostic criteria we have today. They didn't suddenly have ADHD, we just got better at recognising it.'
