"an identity rather than a disorder": how some people are (wrongly) framing ADHD and more

"Some people now regard ADHD [attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder] as “an identity, rather than a disorder”, with the result that many obtain assessments from poor quality private providers, which lead them to “believe they have a condition needing treatment”, said the psychiatrist Dr Marios Adamou, the founder of the UK Adult ADHD Network." https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/aug/18/great-adhd-myth-rising-diagnosis-without-treatment

If there is one voice who is 'tellin' it like it is' in the context of serious and disabling neurodevelopmental disorders like ADHD and autism, that voice is psychiatrist Marios Adamou. 

And not only is he talking sense in the media, he's also got the research record to back it up in terms of his studies on triage models of adult autism assessment (see here), bringing reality to bear on the concept of 'masking' across various neurodevelopmental disorders such as ADHD (see here) and autism (see here) (hint: it's probably not compatible with said disabilities), the hows-and-whys people seek ADHD and autism assessments (see here) and what can happen when professionals say 'it 'aint ADHD or autism' (see here). 

And I for one, want to hear a lot more of his professional and research-informed opinions over and above the neurobabble - often impossible neurobabble - that some have spouted in these days of (social media) trainers and coaching. Reality is re-entering the room. And not a moment too soon, particularly for those who are genuinely disabled by what are disabling behaviourally-defined neurodevelopmental disorders (and the c**p they've had to endure at the hands of identity politics and its purveyors).

Next up: the conversations needed around who is actually qualified to assess for and diagnose ADHD or indeed, related diagnostic labels like autism (see here) (hint: probably not someone who just as a certificate in one or more assessment tools but no clinical qualifications, skills and experience) and just how forensic assessments need to be (see here), particularly keeping mind that ADHD and/or autistic traits are probably not the sole domain of a clinical diagnosis of ADHD and/or autism according to the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria. Oh, and as per our recent contribution to autism science, an appreciation that autism (and ADHD and more) are rarely stand-alone conditions (see here) thus introducing yet more clinical complexity. If in doubt, seek out an expert.

Autism spectrum disorder: has it lost its meaning and is it leading to misdiagnosis?

Autism spectrum disorder: has it lost its meaning and is it leading to misdiagnosis? https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/autism-spectrum-disorder-has-it-lost-its-meaning-and-is-it-leading-to-misdiagnosis/AF834026D004D42B1963BEA515495AC6

A new paper from Prof. Uta Frith that is already making some media headlines including "Academic warns that ‘almost magnetic attraction’ to having condition means term is being misused." This follows recent previous headlines based on what she's said. Now, there'll all in a science paper.

And what a paragraph this is: "Among drivers for the increase in prevalence are cultural changes, such as the desire for inclusion, harm avoidance, reliance on self-report, and the acceptance of masking. These have all led to a lowering of the diagnostic threshold. Furthermore, the popularity of the concept of autism boosted numbers via self-diagnosis and a search for identity."

That's going to be absolute garlic to some (particularly where (neuro)marketing, training and other livelihoods are part-and-parcel of the social media age in which we live). But actually, she's probably right as per what's been said by quite a few other notable people and what the data seem to be telling us. By saying that I actually also believe we are seeing a part real increase in (childhood) autism as per what various stats from various geographies have been telling us for quite a few years.

Talk about 'masking' - it's actually reputation management - and the myriad of 'self-diagnosing' - but not self-diagnosing other less palatable conditions which very much overlap with autism - are receiving some well-deserved scrutiny these days. Not least in the context that according to the ICD-11 criteria, autistic traits are not the sole domain of a diagnosis of autism on the basis of those boundary conditions that accompany clinical descriptions, and to decipher what is what takes (medical) professional and multidisciplinary examinations and not some random who just holds a certificate on one or more autism assessment - that's assessment not diagnosis - instruments. 

When eminent people such as Prof. Frith are writing an article like this, it's probably time to start listening. That won't make an iota of difference to some who are already invested in stuff like 'self-diagnosis is 100% valid' and the like. But for everyone else, a correction is starting to happen and happen not a moment too soon. And too her media quote: "Splitting up the spectrum would ultimately prevent misdiagnosis" is already happening as per the rise and rise of profound autism and the realisation that 'heterogeneous' is not just a word.

Next up: the Fonagy review is probably due to report soon here in Blighty (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/independent-review-into-mental-health-conditions-adhd-and-autism) and what its found around autism, ADHD and more. I can probably guess that they won't be disagreeing with Prof Frith...