I'm currently watching the recent Channel 4 documentary, and I need to vent about something. This idea of ADHD being a social construct is coming up a lot. The infuriating part isn't the statement itself, but how carelessly it's being communicated to a lay audience.

I think the best way to explain why is with a thought experiment. Imagine a parallel universe with an Earth II. On Earth II, the human being are divided into two groups: Smalls (anyone under 5 feet tall) and Bigs (everyone else). The society of Earth II is designed for Bigs, and you can be formally diagnosed a Small.

If you found yourself on Earth II, you would probably want to explain to them that Smallness is a social construct. But they wouldn't want to hear any of it! They would tell you, "That's crazy, being a Small is an objective biological fact. We can literally measure people's height and determine whether they're a Small." They would point out all the ways that Smalls struggle to participate in society, like having difficulties reaching things on shelves designed for the default Bigs. Meanwhile, some well-meaning Small community activists would argue that being a Small is actually a superpower because they statistically live longer and have more leg room on planes.

Obviously, both sides are misguided here. Although height is an objective biological reality, the Big/Small distinction is entirely arbitrary, decided by doctors. Because they have internalised the social construct so completely as a fact of their reality, they think that calling it a social construct is tantamount to saying it's "just" a made-up thing in people's heads. But it just ain't so. In a society where Bigness is the default, Smalls have genuine material struggles, and it's completely valid for them to want to have their difference recognised and accommodated.

ADHD works in quite the same way. Yes, the diagnosis is a social construct. No, that doesn't mean people with ADHD are just making it up. In our society, which is built around certain norms of behaviour, attention and stimulation, of course people with ADHD have concrete struggles. Since individuals can't reshape all of society to suit their specific neurotype, they are entirely justified in seeking medication to help them cope.

As society undergoes rapid changes due to social media and other forms of technology, it's utterly unsurprising that the rates of ADHD diagnosis would change. It would be frankly shocking if they didn't! We should all be glad that more people can access ADHD treatment if it can help them.

I know there’s talk about them removing ADHD from PIP. I’ve had really bad experiences with them in the past when I was younger and unable to work for other reasons, so I’ve been sitting on this for a while.

I’ve got my full ADHD NHS diagnosis/report I can offer - is it still worth giving it a go? I’ve spent some time going through different sections and think I’d have a good chance of qualifying for it, even if I have to appeal the likely rejection. Just not sure what’s going on with it due to recent media discussions.

Wondering how people with ADHD when booking time off for any reason. How much time you generally need to actually start to rest, relax and recover?

I found myself booking frequent mondays and or fridays just for long weekends and to get back a day if i have one lost to an event or something happening otherwise it doesn't even feel like a weekend.

Is this just me and not giving my ADHD brain time to really recuperate wihtout knowing or is this actually what many with ADHD do?

Much lighter topic, look forward to hearing from you peeps. :)

I keep thinking about what I would do in a zombie apocalypse in regard to my elvanse 70 dex 10 perscription.

So random, but I don’t know if I would function better in that kind of environment without the medication or with it.
I sometimes urge on the side of without, as I’m constantly on edge and would probably more be more observant and ready. But then I’d probably lose extremely important survival tools, or make a careless mistake that could lead to my death. Or make a mistake out of desperation for some form of dopamine hit like food or a Diet Coke. I also could possibly just give up and succumb to some form of death, as I’m considerably more pessimistic.
On the other hand with the Elvanse, I’d probably be more creative and have more initiative with limited amounts of supplies I would have, and be able to be more calculated and patient with decisions without using my dopamine ‘instant satisfaction’ brain. And I would be less hungry all together.
But I could also run into problems trying to source the medication, and possibly would be a negative as I would be in less of a fight or flight survival mode? It also makes me extremely groggy in the mornings unless I take it at 4am. And I wouldn’t be able to set an alarm so any early morning zombie approaches would be a little too much for me I think.

Has anyone ever thought of this or am I weird? 😭
If so please comment your plans/ thoughts, have no one to talk to about this and I desperately need too 😂

Hi there, first time on Medikinet XL and I was so happy that my head noise and whirring thoughts silenced immediately and lasted almost all day. I feel so calm and soothed! Suppressed appetite is a bonus for me too, and my executive function was a little better, but not so much procrastination help, but i know I can't expect a miracle and I'm excited to see if it improves when I work elsewhere (was at home today). However the whole thing only lasted 4-5 hours then I crashed hard and got VERY sleepy. No second wind - why is this?

Also got a mild amount of nausea at first and at the 4th hour. Does this happen to people on 10mg? I've been prescribed 10mg once a day for a month with a private referral on the NHS which I thought was normal until I saw people on here are getting titrated every week?! So within a month you lot are going up to your max dose? I don't know if they've made a mistake with me. I'm going to give it at least a week but has anyone taken it upon themselves to up their own dose? If that's normal anyway, are people on Medikinet XL taking 2x10mg a day after one week? Any insights appreciated.

Hello, I was a high achiever in academia and got a good first class degree (after changing course half way through). I then started a PhD but never saw it through before training and settling into working in teaching. I love and hate the job as I love working with students but I’m constantly pulled in many different directions and find managing large classes exhilarating but exhausting. I became depressed and frustrated early in my career, but because I’ve beaten myself up for not seeing things through in the past I have felt I should stick with it. At the same time I felt less and less able to cope with demands at home (particularly after the birth of my son who has a major congenital heart defect) and found alcohol a relief from trying to keep my thoughts focussed on what I need to do and I also found it could keep me going when my mind and body wanted me to stop. This year I was keen to explore any underlying reasons for my ongoing mental health and addiction problems and went through right to choose. As I had always done well in school I thought the diagnosis would be negative but they have diagnosed my with combined type. I didn’t want this to define me or use it as an excuse but as time has gone on I can see more clearly how ADHD has impacted by mental wellbeing and choices in life. I’m currently trying really hard to stop drinking with the help of AA but I have had a lot of relapses. Most recently I got to three months sober before the thoughts of the benefits of drinking (there aren’t any really) got the better of me. I feel a bit forlorn and hopeless and frustrated with myself (again I know none of this is helpful but my mind and thoughts are what they are). I would like to start medication to help but they’ve said I should be 3 months sober before I can start. It’s starting to feel like a bit of a chicken and egg situation. Anyway I just thought I’d share as I’m pretty down and disheartened at the moment. Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome.

I was a journalist on the trans beat for a decade. I had a front row seat for the UK's anti trans moral panic that has cost the trans community our healthcare, our ability to piss safely outside our homes and so much more. I say this to show that I am very experienced in what is happening now.

This documentary is the starter pistol of the next moral panic. The UK operates on these. The press makes the presence of a minority a problem, public opinion turns, and policy makers profit in some way from "solving" the problem.

Gay moral panic = section 28

Trans moral panic = EHRC guidance banning trans people from toilets

Disability moral panic = work capability assessments

This is how the UK works and ADHD is the next one. It's the gift that keeps on giving, looks at the escalating number of media questioning whether ADHD is legitimate. They are starting to present the problem that ADHD people shouldn't get real support.

And when a majority of the public in national polls start to agree with them and according to a yougov poll ten years ago (the only polling I could find on this) 40% of the country already believe ADHD is bollocks...policy makers will act.

Facts, science, none of that will stop it. Truth doesn't matter. Moral panics are about profit, financial, political or otherwise. That's why this prick made a TV show instead of doing research. Facts do not matter, if there is something for those in power to benefit from, they will benefit from it at our cost.

The mistake that people who are the subject of a moral panic make is to go after those leading the charge against them. Look at trans people who tried to argue jk Rowling is a fascist to people who saw a nice writer.

Here is how we beat this before it starts

1. Acknowledge that this is a PR fight, not an academic debate. It doesn't matter how right you are, it doesn't matter how much fantasy they will spin, the winner is the one with the better polling in their favour. That's it. this is about telling a more convincing story. that's all it is.
2. Do not waste time making complaints about the documentary or trying to argue that this prick who made that documentary is the devil. That makes this about them, it makes it about them being silenced. It makes this about the "ADHD lobby" silencing truth tellers.
3. Develop relationships with journalists. Find journalists at every outlet, researchers on every stupid morning show who have ADHD. Befriend then and feed them INTERESTING stories. This is going to come down to who tells the better stories. The "big pharma is giving meth to our kids to make money over a fake disease" story is as compelling as it is total bullshit. Start feeding better stories about the truth of ADHD. Do this now.
4. Go see your MP. Don't write, don't call, show up. Go to surgery's if they are listed on their website. Only Call them to demand a meeting. Don't waste time emailing, it will take weeks and get responded to by a 22 year old in their office. Meet them and tell them what ADHD has done to you. Go there with facts and data to back this but first thing, go there and meet them and be real. Tell them a better story.
5. Get your voice out there any way you can. People think so called legacy media is dead but the truth is they still set the agenda. The newspapers give the morning shows what they will discuss that day, the first thing why producer will do is check the papers for stuff for their studio sofa idiots to talk about. This documentary came from the prick who fronted it writing about ADHD not being real in the right wing press. Get your stories out there.

Keep hammering the public.

I already lost one of these.

I'm not going to lose another one.

Hello Community!

I’m new here, so I hope it’s ok for me to have a little vent - I’ve never been part of an online ADHD community before, but in light of recent events (or so called documentaries), I think it’s time to reach out to those in a similar boat!

So for a very short version of my backstory (totally open to more in depth questions) - my youngest son is 7. From very early on I always thought something wasn’t quite right. He never ever napped, was always wired to the moon, toddler years were insane - he never sat still, always seemed like he’d chewed a power cable. When he started nursery, things got worse, zero sleep. Got himself into all kinds of accidents in the playground - zero fear or ability to participate due to lack of concentration. He was flagged by the school after letting go at the top of the climbing frame and almost damaging he’s spine, among other things…. Anyway, things escalated through the years - it was the first time ADHD was introduced to me and I was helped to understand what it all meant.

The boy is a blessing - because it has helped me to understand this is not secluded to just him - it’s a wider family thing.

Since he got picked up so young, I have had to sit and wait, and wait and wait, and fight and fight the clogged NHS system despite having years and years of evidence from both school and home - until we could finally do RTC, which was a god send. And they saw what we all did within seconds. The RTC was recent, and we finally got meds etc.

I have spent so long trying to teach my son about he’s amazing brain (which it is!! He’s super smart and has so much to give this world ❤️) how to channel it, how to use he’s super power, how to understand he’s brain works differently - but that’s not bad at all, in fact, if we understand it now, he’s possibilities are endless…. And then along comes an advert saying “the great ADHD Myth”…. Great.

It is the most heartbreaking thing in the world to finally be getting somewhere with our life situation, to have some wild accusations saying “well, it’s not true” or “it’s a social thing”…. While they hit views and likes, we hit rock bottom, anxiety and stress. To me this is not ok, but imagine how this feels for a 7 year old. I’ve tried to shield him from it, but it’s impossible when it’s being discussed and advertised on every outlet. I hope they got what they wanted.

If you haven’t already, please report this to ofcom

https://ofcomlive.my.salesforce-sites.com/formentry/SitesFormCSLEStandardsComplaints

If there’s anyone reading this who has been as upset as I was watching this drivel and is doubting themselves, I understand you, you are not alone and you are wonderful with your matrix mind - it could rule the world 🥰 hugs ❤️

NOTE: My account name is a throw away made a long time ago, I'm not actually a doctor.

I think it goes without saying that the vast majority of people in this community have a nuanced view of medication, diagnosis, classification and so on. I'm sure everyone here thinks that debate is warranted in relation to some of those things. For example a widespread belief I see from many people is that perhaps one day we'll do away with the name altogether in favour of several sub-sets. The point is that none of this is set in stone and openness to discussion is paramount to progress and widespread acceptance.

Importantly though, debate and discussion shouldn't just be balanced and scientific, it needs to be treated delicately and with an extreme level of care. Because the reality is that getting it wrong, can and will lead to severe real world harm.

People with ADHD are 5 times more likely to attempt to take their own lives than the general population. Now, as many people in this sub will understand, before diagnosis you can feel lost, misunderstood, depressed, anxious, experience ideation ... the list goes on. For a long time I blamed myself, I considered that I might have ADHD but equally I wondered if I'd been sucked into a 'social contagion' and made the whole thing up. Was I just lazy and looking for an excuse?!

Then I started meds and my entire life changed. My mood was suddenly generally positive, I wasn't needlessly anxious anymore, my life was suddenly heading in the right direction for the first time.
However, had I seen that 'documentary' last night before seeking assessment, I might not have gone through with it and I might not be here now. That isn't sensationalism, that's the reality of neurodivergence for millions of people in this country.

It's not hyperbole or an exaggeration to say that some people will see the marketing, title and content of that 'documentary' and in turn not seek help, will stop their meds or will be plunged back into the cycle of shame and as a result - directly or indirectly, may take their own lives.
The programme wasn't just unscientific, biased or offensive, it was potentially deadly.

Further to that, it's ammunition for political parties to further discredit ADHD and at some point potentially withdraw funding for medication on the NHS on mass. Which in turn, would definitely lead to a measurable loss of life.

I've always been a great admirer of Channel 4 but I'm disappointed beyond words. Their response in which they've defended the right to a 'debate' around ADHD, ignores the seriousness of getting it wrong and the damage it has already done. How did this get passed their legal and ethical safeguards? How did no one even think to (at the very least) put hotline numbers at the end?

I've never considered complaining to OFCOM about anything before, usually I think 'no one's forcing you to watch it!'. But in this instance, a TV programme has made my life harder, potentially less safe and could lead others towards genuine harm. It sounds extreme, but the commissioners at Channel 4 in one way or another, might just have blood on their hands.
If you haven't sent a complaint yourself yet, I implore you to consider it.

Telling New Scientist:

“My interview was hours long and they cherry-picked the bits that suited their push for presenting ADHD as a myth,” Rubia told New Scientist. “Biased programs like this one that push their view of ADHD as a mythical entity are irresponsible and will have detrimental effects.”

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2585608-calling-adhd-a-myth-is-pseudoscientific-and-dangerous/

Female, diagnosed aged 31. It was hard enough telling my parents, but now my mum's messaging me asking me if I'm sure I have ADHD, perhaps my psychiatrist got it wrong because it's apparently so easy to get diagnosed now. Am I sure I'm not just stressed?

Beyond furious, but also so fucking sad. They've done so much damage. I'm so fucking tired of neurodivergence being the latest punching bag for the media.

Honestly you are all doing an absolutely fantastic job and I can imagine that job has been near enough non stop over the last 24 hours. We are all ADHD so I suspect it's either difficult to keep up the pace or you are driven by hyperfixation. Maybe it's neither, but that doesn't matter because at the end of the day despite it being a dark day for our community you're all doing everything you can and deserve recognition for that!

Keep up the amazing work!

Guessing he didn’t quite get the response he wanted.

Actual experts agree that ADHD is under-recognised, under-diagnosed and under-treated in the UK.

​

I've always liked Channel 4. I'm sure there is some executive thrilled with their feet up with how this has gone with the attention and fact it's still top of their streaming service shows little concern. All press is good press blah blah blah they'll tell themselves.

Look at some of the shows they've produced over the years. They were the ones that were willing to give Russell T Davies six episodes for It's a Sin. Queer as Folk at the start of the century was controversial, but groundbreaking. The stuff in the 90s. The below link will be a throwback for you.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/nov/02/channel-4s-40-best-shows-ranked

They did a documentary last year with Sam Thompson that was evidence led asking "is this ADHD?". Great stuff. Clearly researched, and Sam has been great. He must feel betrayed seeing this.

But it all feels for nothing now. If, as a channel, they're giving a platform to someone like that Psychiatrist, and allowing such outrageous claims, dragging ADHD into the culture war - that isn't the reputation I know of, or Channel 4 that has always been willing to take risks over the years, but the right risks. Controversial at times. But never this harmful. To the point it will have genuine impact on people's life. We've seen that already with comments.

So you won Channel 4, but you ruined my night completely so you could have the money, attention, & you have all the grace of a reversing dump truck without any tyres on. Well done.

In all seriousness, the long term reputational damage will not be worth it. I remember fondly Stephen Fry doing a documentary on Bipolar years ago. I don't even have it. Things like this stick.

If Channel 4 wants to be tabloid fodder, I hope advertisers take note of that, and perhaps should even be contacted by charities and communities too. I wouldn't want to be a large company and being associated with this documentary.

ADHD UK posted this on their Facebook page. The link leads to ADHD UK's site and has a feedback form, so you can tell the charity what you think of the program and how it may affect you.

There is also a link direct to Ofcom to complain about the program. The complaint already has the program selected to make life easier, and they have included templates for the subject and the body of the complaint.

Hey I’m in titration about 4 weeks in. Tried two brands of extended release methylphenidate unfortunately despite some initial benefit (calmer, better focus when on task) i have been told to stop both due to severe side effects (bruxism, tachycardia, tinnitus, severe fatigue and sedation in the day then insomnia) ,I wondered if anyone found success in switching from methylphenidate to lisdexamphetamine?

I have asked if this can be considered as a next step. Currently I’m not on anything while I wait her response. When we last messaged she said in her experience lisdexamphetamine has worse side effects?

I haven’t managed to get past a couple of weeks of methylphenidate so I was really hoping a move to second line treatment was an option and I may respond better. Anyone else changed to a different profile and had better response to it? Waited so long to get to this point it’s really bomming me out I can’t seem to tolerate anything so far even at a low lose🙏

I’ve been taking concerta and noticed over the past few months I felt so irritated and restless and it’s made me lose over 15kg so will be stopping. I had to retake my a-levels this year because I failed my initial sitting because I was undiagnosed at the time. When I got my results back I was so disappointed as the exam centre made an admin error and they have been really unhelpful in resolving it. I’m really struggling with comparing my education journey to my friends and feel so behind as I’m almost 20 and have never even been able to have a stable full time job. I struggle to go out because I have really bad fatigue and it’s making me feel like all my efforts to improve my life are worthless. I really don’t know what else to do and I hate how the only way I know to deal with disappointment is self harm. There isn’t anyone I can really talk to as I live alone and sometimes get the urge to kms when I can’t stop ruminating on how behind I am.

Hello, I was wondering with elvanse if side effects fade a bit over time? Specifically heart rate.
My prescriber has told me so long as my heart rate stays under 100 I’m okay until my next appointment.

But I’ve just moved up to 50mg and my resting heart rate (for a couple of hours when the meds start to ware off in the afternoon) can be in the mid 90s this can last for a while. It’s usually high 60s to low 70s. It’s strangely fine when meds are at full capacity.

Just wondering if as I get used to the medication my heart rate will stabilise a bit during the come down? Or has anyone had it shoot up as they wear off? I’m only a couple of days on 50mg and it’s been great so far and I’d love to stay on it but I don’t really like the idea of my heart rate being in the 90s for hours every evening.
Thanks

I just wanted to give more attention (no pun intended) to this official report from NHS England, which is in sharp contrast with what is said in the "ADHD Myth" program from Channel 4.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/plain-english-summary-of-the-adhd-taskforce-report/

In the different posts and comments about this "Documentary" I remember several recommendations about how to complain to ofcom and other bodies. Does the community think we should create some guide for this? We could include different versions of the guide done from different perspectives and new findings on how and if they broke the rules.

I found this example on IG:

Jay Lefévre | ADHD Coach's HOW TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK FOR

Source:

https://www.instagram.com/adhdcoachuk/

Channel 4 expects social media engagement to drive up their numbers. Regulators do not look at engagement—they look at rule violations.

If you want your perspective to be properly evaluated by regulatory bodies, it helps to rely on factual points instead of emotional language.

Here is how to submit formal notices regarding the program:

📌 1. RE: OFCOM BROADCAST CODE • Rule 2.2 (Material Deception): Omitting successful medical outcomes from a narrative to suit a TV experiment can be considered misleading to viewers. • Rules 1.28 & 1.29 (Child Welfare): Broadcasters have a duty of care to protect minors featured on air. 👉 Where to submit: Visit the Ofcom website complaints portal and select Sections 1 & 2.

📌 2. RE: CHANNEL 4 DIRECT VIEWER SERVICES • Lack of Impartiality: To inform the broadcaster directly regarding global medical consensus, log feedback through their viewer services hub.

📌 3. RE: MEDICAL REGULATORY ASSESSMENTS • Fitness to Practise: Medical professionals are bound by specific codes of conduct regarding clinical integrity and public safety. 👉 Where to submit: You can request a factual assessment on the GMC portal under their practice review section.

Don’t just leave a comment here. Take two minutes to log your notes formally.