Confiding in a friend after an ADHD diagnosis, a journalist faced a common reaction: 'But isn't it normal to get distracted? I probably have ADHD too.' This dismissive response reflects a growing perception that ADHD is a trend or personality quirk, similar to how OCD is often trivialized as being neat. Yet, for those living with the condition, such remarks diminish real struggles.
Channel 4 Documentary Fuels Debate
Channel 4 will release a documentary titled 'The Great ADHD Myth?' next month, examining whether ADHD is a genuine neurodevelopmental disorder or a social construct. It questions medication for children and whether modern life—ultra-processed food, phones, and regimented education—acts as a catalyst. The documentary has reignited concerns among advocates who fear it will undermine the validity of ADHD.
Are Diagnoses Really Skyrocketing?
In 2025, then-Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced an enquiry into ADHD and autism diagnoses, questioning overdiagnosis. Interim findings show that while more people are being diagnosed, the actual incidence rate hasn't changed—increased awareness is driving the numbers. A 2023 UCL study found a twenty-fold increase in ADHD diagnoses between 2000 and 2018, with prescriptions for men aged 18-29 rising nearly fifty-fold. However, a 2025 King's College London review of 40 studies across 17 countries concluded that ADHD prevalence hasn't increased since 2020. Author Dr. Alex Martin noted that 'assessments and help-seeking' are snowballing, not the condition itself.
Barriers to Diagnosis Remain High
Despite the perceived surge, getting a diagnosis is difficult. NHS waiting times can reach eight years in some UK regions, and private assessments average £1,200. The ADHD Foundation estimates that 50-70% of the 1,000,000 UK women with ADHD remain undiagnosed due to medical misogyny. Self-diagnosis is often the only option for many.
What Qualifies as ADHD?
Diagnosis requires meeting at least five symptoms on the DSM-5, with evidence of persistence and impairment across multiple settings. Psychologist Dr. Andrea Pickering explains: 'The key difference is that for someone with ADHD, these symptoms are persistent, pervasive and significantly impact their ability to function.' A diagnosis involves detailed evaluation, often including family testimony. One journalist shared her experience: diagnosed at 23 after years of struggles, she found validation in the label.
Modern Life vs. Neurodevelopmental Condition
Modern life—constant digital exposure, social media, and multitasking—can reduce attention spans even in people without ADHD. But Dr. Pickering emphasizes: 'While modern life can make anyone feel distracted, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition with symptoms that are consistent, long-standing and impairing.' The condition affects only 2-6% of the global population.
Trivializing ADHD as a 'superpower' or mere scatterbrained behavior diminishes the experiences of those who live with it. As the journalist concludes, 'You don't have ADHD if you just forget your wallet sometimes; you're probably just a regular human being living in an increasingly hectic world.'
