ADHD

[Flipperidooda]

Heard a little bit on the radio this morning. So… ADHD is underdiagnosed, but don’t get a diagnosis because of labelling theory. WTAF?

??

BBC Breakfast had a segment on just now, saying something a bit different.

A report has come out looking at the increase of ADHD demand.

And looked at the quality and accuracy, self-diagnosis and future planning for services. Which all seems quite sensible really.

Getting an ADHD diagnosis when it doesn't apply, or even doesn't really improve your quality of life can be detrimental. Certain countries, for instance, won't let you emigrate if it's on your medical records, even if you ask for it to be removed (Canada, Australia and USA for example).

It also indicated that the social and medical lines were being blurred.

There will be more analysis over the coming days, and it's probably being done partly to get a handle on finances for services and benefits, rather than letting the whole system get more out of control.

What did they say? Tbf, it was a snippet from Simon Wellesley who is renowned for his damaging theories and harms towards people with M.E.

I wish the media would give it a bloody rest with all the “autism and ADHD are over diagnosed” stuff.
I have no doubt that there are disreputable companies out there who don’t follow NICE guidelines for diagnosis and I do think companies should be better regulated.
My own diagnoses were via Right To Choose after waiting over 5 years on the NHS list. My son’s was from a private provider that I checked was following NICE guidance before booking his extensive appointments. For Ds it was blindingly obvious he has both ADHD and Autism but having the diagnoses has formalised that. He’s now on medication for ADHD and has gone from a child who was really struggling at primary school and deemed academically behind, to a child who I’m told is “flying academically”.
I do believe that modern lifestyles negatively affect those with autism
and ADHD and can impact on how much the conditions affect someone. My son’s provider, and my own, state at every review how important it is to have good routines, good sleep hygiene, a healthy diet that’s not full of UPFs, regular exercise, and to limit screen time. I’d noticed years ago that Ds was struggling more when he had eaten things with colourings, preservatives and particularly sweeteners. He’s always been very active but he is and always has been happiest when outside doing something physical. I think it would be very beneficial to run parenting classes in areas with high numbers of dysregulated children with behavioural problems about the importance of the above. Of course there are huge barriers to this in terms of cost and time and often the willingness to engage.
I agree that post-diagnostic support needs to improve. Parents need to be very switched on and motivated to find out where help is and then access it and that might not be the case where parents are struggling themselves due to their own poor mental health, chronic health problems, or their own autism and/or ADHD.

It does seem contradictory. A diagnosis can help people understand their difficulties and access appropriate support, rather than simply putting a label on them. The important thing is a proper assessment, not avoiding diagnosis altogether because of the possibility of stigma.