“When someone has an instinct that they have ADHD, they are often right.”

This quote was taken from an article written by Mike Smith, the NHS Psychiatrist featured in the recent controversial BBC Panorama programme about ADHD private assessments.

This programme has caused a huge emotional fallout from the ADHD community, a ripple effect that will lead to even further issues for us to manage.

The NHS waiting lists cannot meet the huge demand for ADHD assessments, and so many people have turned to the private sector, some directly and some via the ‘right to choose’ process. This process allows those on the NHS waiting list to be assessed by a private provider, most of which have their own waiting list but is often shorter..

Others go directly to a private assessor and for some that has meant a poor service, but this is not many, but a few. This issue does need addressing, as those people who feel they cannot wait 4+ years for an assessment choose to pay their hard earned money on a private assessment and want this to be done properly. However, by covering this topic with a one sided view, not acknowledging the overwhelming need for more NHS provision and tighter regulations for private companies was damaging.

As a woman, who was diagnosed late in life with autism and ADHD, I know first hand how difficult it is to navigate life, questioning whether you are broken or wrong in some way. To then see a BBC programme showing only a fragment of the story is unhelpful and damaging.

I speak for women who have had to fight to be understood. Who have masked all their life, to then be told by lazy journalism that their diagnosis could be in question. Women and girls are already at a disadvantage as the assessment, (which when done properly lasts for hours not minutes!) is still focusing on a male presentation of ADHD. For us it is different and requires highly skilled assessors to explore our history in-depth, and our inner struggles to find the right diagnosis. Those skilled professionals are worth paying every penny for, if that is what women choose to do, as the validation can be life changing.

Not everyone chooses to go down the assessment route, or needs another person to validate their experience, we are all different and we all need to choose what is right for us. However those of us who feel we need that validation should not be criticised for trying to get that sooner than 4+ years.

I welcome the article that Mike Smith wrote, (full article linked below). He makes it clear that ADHD is not a ‘trend’ as he writes,

“the fact that we are playing catch-up does not equate to an exponential increase. A tiny fraction of people in the UK take stimulant medication, the gold standard treatment – far fewer than the 2-4% of the adult population whom we know are likely to have the condition.”

If you are someone who has been affected by this programme and are awaiting an assessment, please know your feelings are valid, your experience is valid and as Mike Smith says, your instinct about who you are is often right.

I work with adults and young people to help them understand themselves and a diagnosis is not necessary to access that support with me. I have lived experience of this condition, along with ADHD and a long standing relationship with anxiety. Book a free call with me to find out how I can support you or someone you care about.

I have also added a link to my webinar in June, raising awareness of ADHD and autism for women and girls, helping us to change the narrative. It would be lovely to have you there.

Full article referenced above click here.