Documentary misrepresents why diagnoses of ADHD are on the rise among children
The Great ADHD Myth? recently screened by Channel 4 was a wilfully sensationalist exercise in disability denial.
Its presenter, author and NHS psychiatrist Max Pemberton, told viewers that ADHD is “not a neurodevelopmental disorder” but “a social construct”.
At different points it is both explicitly stated and implied that ADHD was invented to medicate away difficult or inconvenient behaviour.
The programme raised concerns about the rising number of people diagnosed with ADHD, as well as the medication many rely on to manage their ADHD. As psychologist Sarah Warley told us, “We are going to look back and think did we actually put a chemical cosh on an entire developing generation of brains?”
These opinions centre around an experiment with Mason, a ten year old boy who had been prescribed successively stronger doses of medication for his ADHD. He was filmed as he tried stopping his meds for six weeks.
Mason had to give up video games and stick to a diet and exercise regime. After three weeks, he felt “more like myself”. At the end, the family explained that although Mason was struggling at school, he would stay off the medication.
The charity ADHD UK complained to the Ofcom regulator. It pointed out that it was only in the end credits that viewers were told that Mason went back on medication and his schoolwork improved. So, even though the experiment disproved Pemberton’s case, Channel 4 went ahead anyway.
The Great ADHD Myth? was a shabby and one‑sided piece of sensationalist journalism.
Pemberton told us that ten years ago “ADHD was hardly known among adults”—without telling us why.
I’d expect any psychiatrist to know at least two reasons. First, ADHD was only accepted as a valid diagnosis for adults in Britain in 2008. And the diagnostic criteria were significantly widened in 2013.
Cognitive neuroscientist Katya Rubia made an appearance, saying that the diagnostic criteria for ADHD is “a consensus of opinions”.
After the broadcast, however, Rubia attacked the programme. She told The Guardian newspaper she took part only to provide an alternative view to the film-makers.
But she said that her comments had been “cherrypicked, largely misrepresented, truncated and presented out of context to make them fit into their narrative.”
As Rubia added, promoting the idea that ADHD doesn’t exist is dangerous at a time “where mental health conditions are escalating and where there is an urgent need for early diagnosis and early treatment.”
She also warned of the dangers in encouraging parents to take children with ADHD off medication, as untreated ADHD is associated with risks such as increased mental distress, substance abuse and suicide.
Sami Timimi, a psychiatrist and Marxist, also appeared in the documentary. He stressed that diagnostic labels, by attributing the roots of people’s difficulties within the individual, serve the interests of our rulers.
There’s a lot to be said for this view. However, a diagnosis provides a gateway to support.
We can agree that the diagnostic criteria for ADHD are “socially constructed” without concluding that it doesn’t exist.
Greater social awareness means more people are being assessed for ADHD—because they need help.
Channel 4 knew what they were doing when they commissioned this programme. Pemberton isn’t just an NHS psychiatrist—he has also written a weekly column for the Daily Mail for the past eleven years.
The Great ADHD Myth? will deepen popular distrust of mainstream science and medicine at a time when the very services they provide are under threat.
Andy Burnham has indicated he will make more cuts to disability benefits to pay for more arms spending.
With Reform UK promising to axe the Equality Act if they form the next government, it’s a particularly dangerous time to promote disability denial.
- The Great ADHD Myth? is available on Channel 4 On Demand.
