"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.