New Channel 4 documentary, The Great ADHD Myth?, seeks to determine whether ADHD is a genuine neurodevelopmental disorder, or a social construct

29 July 2026

With so many questions on what ADHD is, should we really be giving so many children powerful psychiatric drugs to medicate it?

The rise of ADHD is one the most prevalent health issues of the modern age. NHS data shows that there has been a 200% increase in the number of people being referred for an ADHD diagnosis between 2020 and 2025[1].

While the traits of ADHD undeniably exist – the question is why they exist. Is ADHD actually a neurodevelopmental disorder? Do people with ADHD have differently wired brains? Or does our world – with phones, ultra-processed food, and regimented education system – serve as the catalyst for certain responses and patterns of behaviour? 

And with such uncertainty around the condition, should we really be…