A member of the community has asserted that ADHD is a “trendy disorder” and that numerous individuals diagnosed with this condition are “not significantly ill, or not ill at all”.
Baroness Claire Fox, a former member of the Brexit Party, addressed attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during a discussion in the House of Lords.
She noted an 18% increase in ADHD prescriptions from April 2023 to March 2024.
Several NHS trusts have ceased the diagnosis of ADHD in adults and the issuance of medications, while long waiting times persist for children to secure appointments.
Nonetheless, private clinics may provide diagnoses and medications under NHS support in certain circumstances—although the validity of their practices has been questioned.
Baroness Fox remarked: “Isn’t it unfortunate that many individuals wish for their children, or themselves, to be prescribed these medications to feel capable of managing? When in reality, they are often not significantly ill, or not ill at all, yet have received the label.”
Members of the Lords engaged in discussions regarding the Mental Health Bill.
The peer alleged that “therapeutic experts, counselors, and mental health professionals” are becoming “overzealous in classifying individuals as ill”.
She mentioned this has incited a “clamoring”—particularly among the youth—for “medications to assist them in handling life’s challenges”.
Baroness Claire Fox. Pic: Parliament
Baroness Fox recounted an occasion in which young individuals became “rather confrontational”, insisting on receiving treatment.
She referred to ADHD as “the trendy disorder of the moment”, further noting that “it is frequently diagnosed excessively”.
These remarks followed the release of figures by Ofqual in November regarding the number of students granted additional time to finish their exams—which can stem from diagnoses like ADHD—indicating a 42% increase in those receiving an extra 15 minutes from the academic years 2018/19 to 2022/23. This issue was observed to be more prevalent in independent schools (39% of pupils in 2022/23) compared to non-selective state schools (24% in 2022/23).
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Baroness Elaine Murphy, an independent peer and former psychiatrist, addressed the Lords: “There is no doubt a severe overdiagnosis of conditions labeled as mental disorders, which might simply be distress requiring a different approach.”
She further emphasized: “Many online platforms are complete nonsense and are pressuring individuals to pay to see psychotherapists and other counselors just to uncover what the matter is, thereby enriching others with minimal effort.”
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Warning over ADHD self-medication
Liz Kendall, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, discussed the rising number of individuals taking time off due to mental health challenges during an interview on the Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge.
The Cabinet Minister acknowledged the presence of “a multitude of intricate factors at play here”—before commending the decline in the stigma associated with mental health concerns.
Nevertheless, Ms. Kendall expressed that “everyday life is fraught with stresses and strains—and that is simply life”.
She recounted a visit to a supermarket where management mentioned a mix of individuals with legitimate health issues, along with others needing to recognize that “this is the realm of employment”.
