To agree with Wes Streeting's statement that MH issues are overdiagnosed?

[Locutus2000]

Pretty controversial stuff.

Who decides?

Totally agree.

Could be. But I have plenty of anxiety and ADHD and I take my meds and crack on with work, because unemployment is so awful.

Um maybe it’s because those with autism, adhd etc have a higher prevalence of mental illness. Nice to see the people paid to help such people are so scathing. You’re not really qualified to diagnose. We went to the GP first with my children, weren’t much help. Turns out we were right.

I dont think they are overdiagnosed but there is a large number where the outcome shouldn't mean benefit. It should mean people explore coping strategies, and try to improve things themselves and put on a belt and braces.

However there are then also a large number that need support and its just not there. So, guess what, things get worse!

I fear he is lumping almost all into the first category when it's simply not the case. Some do, but my no means the majority.

There has been growing awareness of ND and its a positive thing that people are coming forward for assessment. To struggle all your life without knowing why and then to find you are ND can help someone access medication or other strategies to help themselves live a better life. This can then help alleviate the distressing consequences of unsupported or unmedicated ADHD for example, which research has shown to have wider economic consequences for society. It is also incorrect to assume that they are not genuinely unwell as ND can co-occur with other physical health and mental health difficulties. My relative with ADHD has hypermobility syndrome which seriously affects their mobility, digestive system etc. I'm surprised that as a nurse, you are not aware of this.

Total and utter bullshit.

I have it and so do my children. 2 have had their lives destroyed by it. Many with adhd have Audhd ie both autism and adhd

And again, you wouldn’t get anything if it wasn’t debilitating. You do not get benefits for a diagnosis.

I am staggered a MH nurse doesn’t know that.

It makes me so angry. The NHS is supposed to have autism training, they’re supposed to be rolling it out and improving conditions for autistic people but still there are clearly totally ignorant staff working within it.

I definitely am and for 35 years including 20 years for the NHS and I always have a full case load at least 75% being recommendations.

It's shocking isn't it @NapT1me but sadly research has shown that ADHD has been deprioritised within the NHS and there is a lot of disbelief about the condition amongst health professionals. There are some good medics out there who understand but its a postcode lottery.

I'm pleased for you, others aren't as well.

You get pip for the evidence you produce on how you think your diagnosis fits the descriptors. Many people are wise to this with ND/MH issues.

Again, the soaring claimants causes massive stress for those with significant physical and genuine mental illnesses.

I think it's probably uner diagnosed in men, and over diagnosed in women.

I have more or less given up going to see my Dr, as at this point I'm convinced I could go in with rectal bleeding and would be heavily encouraged to try and SSRI.

'research has shown that ADHD has been deprioritised within the NHS'

Good news.

Curious to know why you resent neurodivergent people so much.

Have you ever considered that they spend their PIP money on your sessions which enable them to have a good quality of life which they wouldn’t otherwise have if they weren’t in therapy? Doesn’t seem like you have, which I’m surprised about for a counsellor. They might well tell you about their jobs and their benefit claims but you know absolutely naff all about them outside of the sessions or what they choose to divulge to you. You sound quite judgemental and I’m not sure I’d want you as my therapist.

Do stop spouting nonsense.

ADHD doesn’t really fit the descriptors, out of 4 of us only 1 has PIP and it’s for her autism and other illnesses, not ADHD.

An autism or adhd report isn’t going to get you PIP. It’s just a summary not evidence of struggles.

It hasn’t been in our area and isn’t in many areas for good reasons. It wrecks lives .

Sorry to disappoint you

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2024/03/nhs-to-launch-cross-sector-adhd-taskforce-to-boost-care-for-patients-in-england/

Sounds hopeful and I really hope it does materialise because until recently its been a postcode lottery with some people not getting any support at all.

I don't. Those at the severe end of the spectrum need support however as has been said throughout many people have decided thae they are on the spectrum/have adhd and they take away vital services from those with genuine illnesses.

Nope it does not as I have AuDHD too but don’t need support. I know the value in diagnosis- it’s huge!

I bet their clients are using PIP to pay for their counselling services.
I know a few people with MH who use their PIP this way.

They have it too!!! I have it, hoards have it. Just because they’re not extremely mentally unwell doesn’t mean they don’t deserve their diagnosis . It has had a massive impact on my life and I’ve had some very difficult times.

Ohr brains were made were cave man lives, this is how it was for thousands of years, sleep, eat and reproduce, nothing ever really changed just surviving. In the last few hundred years human life has evolved beyond comprehension, the last 30 years since the internet like nothing ever known but our brains can’t adapt at such a speed. It’s no wonder we just can’t cope with modern day life