A new documentary arrives to rattle the medical establishment, questioning whether Britain is over-diagnosing a generation. Presenter Max Pemberton, an NHS psychiatrist, author, and Daily Mail columnist, leads a charge against the prevailing orthodoxy of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The film, “The Great ADHD Myth?”, immediately provokes. Dr Iona Heath, former president of the Royal College of General Practitioners, insists ADHD is “certainly not a medical condition as far as I’m concerned.” A neurophysiological psychologist warns, “did we actually put a chemical cosh on an entire developing generation of brains?”
These voices suggest a deeper, more cynical motive. A former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists claims, “The industry around ADHD is about making money at the cost of the misery of others.” This highlights Pemberton’s core questions: is ADHD a neuro-developmental disorder, or a way to suppress natural behaviours?
The numbers are stark: roughly 2.5 million people in the UK are now affected by ADHD. Referrals for diagnosis have surged by 200% in just the past five years. Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Sami Timimi reminds viewers that common treatments involve amphetamines, which are “controlled drugs” for good reason.
Cognitive neuroscientist Prof Katya Rubia, with 30 years in brain imaging, states there is no convincing data that “ADHD brains” differ from “normal” ones. Diagnostic criteria, including struggling to wait your turn or squirming, are so broad that Dr Heath suggests, “If you want the diagnosis, you will be able to get it.”
Pemberton himself underwent a £1,200 private assessment, receiving a “combined” ADHD diagnosis and a prescription. He reported feeling blunted and irritated after taking the medication, preferring to sit quietly alone. This personal experiment underlines the documentary’s central critique.
The film’s most powerful example follows 10-year-old Mason, who spent two years on ADHD medication. He came off them for six weeks, trying yoga, outdoor activities, no screen time, and less processed food. Mason’s mother, Shauna, noticed he became funnier, happier, and more himself, despite being more trouble at school. His teacher prioritised seeing “his true, honest self,” and Shauna opted to keep him off the drugs.
Questioning accepted wisdom often sparks emotional outcry, and ADHD is no exception. Yet Pemberton’s arguments are compelling. The suggested remedies—prioritising diet, screen time, and activity, alongside more flexible school curricula—appear neither radical nor unkind. They align with “primum non nocere” (first do no harm), rather than profit.
“The Great ADHD Myth?” is available on Channel 4 now, offering a provocative look at a widespread condition.
