A documentary questioning whether attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a genuine condition or a social construct has aired on Channel 4 \u2013 and it\u2019s proven predictably divisive.<\/p>\n
The show, titled The Great ADHD Myth?, has prompted a wave of responses online from doctors, charities and people with the disorder who are concerned it will contribute to stigma surrounding the condition.<\/p>\n
A reactionary survey by the charity ADHD UK in the wake of the documentary revealed that (at the time of writing), of 1,566 people who watched the show, 92% believe it has increased stigma surrounding ADHD, while 93% do not believe the show was fair in its representation of the condition.<\/p>\n
ADHD UK\u2019s CEO and co-founder, Henry Shelford, told HuffPost UK: \u201cWe are shocked by this programme. The fact it got commissioned at all speaks to the stigma around ADHD \u2013 a stigma that is now likely to get worse because of this show.\u201d<\/p>\n
The charity had previously penned an open letter to Channel 4 urging it to make a series of changes to the documentary before its release, including a review of the title and for the broadcaster to \u201cmake clear on screen where contributors\u2019 views sit relative to mainstream clinical consensus\u201d.<\/p>\n
The documentary followed NHS psychiatrist and Daily Mail columnist, Dr Max Pemberton, as he spoke to medical experts who questioned the conventional narrative around ADHD.<\/p>\n
One such expert, Dr Iona Heath, the former president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, said: \u201cIt\u2019s certainly not a medical condition as far as I\u2019m concerned.\u201d Another child psychiatrist said: \u201cIn 100 years\u2019 time people are going to wonder, \u2018How could we be so gullible?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
The show posed a number of questions including whether ADHD is a disorder or social construct, how it should be treated (including whether diet and lifestyle changes could help), whether medication is the right approach and who benefits from increasing diagnoses.<\/p>\n
Dr Pemberton \u2013 who remains certain he doesn\u2019t have ADHD \u2013 underwent a private assessment (costing \u00a31,200) and was diagnosed with combined ADHD and a prescription for medication.<\/p>\n
The documentary also followed a family who wanted to see whether holistic lifestyle changes could eliminate their 10-year-old son\u2019s use of ADHD medication. The pills \u201ctake my fun-ness away\u201d, he said, however the programme noted at the end he did go back on them.<\/p>\n
ADHD UK\u2019s survey found 80% of those surveyed said it wasn\u2019t \u201cresponsible\u201d for a broadcaster to film a 10-year-old stopping his ADHD medication for television.<\/p>\n
In response, Channel 4 told HuffPost UK: \u201cThe welfare of the boy and his family were of paramount importance both before, during and after the production process. An independent doctor, his GP, and a health and safety company were consulted.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdvice was also taken from three independent psychiatrists on the medication break. This programme was produced in compliance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Times\u2019 review of the show called its arguments \u201cconvincing, or at least the start of a necessary discussion\u201d, although they did note \u201cthere was no real counter-argument offered to the idea of ADHD as a \u2018myth\u2019\u201d.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile the Guardian said Dr Pemberton \u201canswers his questions convincingly\u201d, highlighting the remedies proposed at the end, such as changing diet, screen and activity levels first, adapting schools to children\u2019s needs, and making medication the last resort \u201cseem neither radical nor uncompassionate\u201d.<\/p>\n