Overview
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting has commissioned an independent clinical review into possible overdiagnosis of ADHD, autism and conditions such as anxiety and depression, citing links to long‑term sickness leave and rising benefit use.
- Recent reporting highlights sharp increases in ADHD assessments and prescribing, with UK medication use growing about 18% per year since the pandemic and significant rises in Personal Independence Payment and overall disability claims.
- Clinicians and advocates argue many adults remain undiagnosed, noting fewer than 1% hold an ADHD diagnosis despite prevalence studies indicating 3–4% would meet diagnostic criteria.
- Access problems feature prominently, with accounts of NHS waits stretching years or even a decade in some areas and fragmented services limiting coordinated care.
- Commentary urges investment in joined‑up healthcare and support that addresses social determinants and post‑viral illness, while opinion writers in outlets such as The Times call for tougher scrutiny of diagnostic practices.