Henry Shelford, CEO and Co-Founder of ADHD UK, was quoted in the article and provided background information.
ADHD UK, led by CEO and co-founder Henry Shelford, wrote an open letter to Channel 4 in response to its upcoming documentary “The Great ADHD Myth?”, which questions whether ADHD is a genuine neurodevelopmental disorder or a social construct.
Henry’s letter argued that the title itself causes harm before the programme even airs, noting that damage is “done in the listings, in the commentary, before a single frame is broadcast.” He warned that framing ADHD as a “myth” isn’t just an abstract debate, stating “this is not a parlour debate. People die,” pointing to UCL research showing adults with diagnosed ADHD have significantly reduced life expectancy (4.5 to 9 years for men, 6.5 to 11 years for women).
Henry, who has ADHD himself, said undermining the condition publicly has real consequences: “Having ADHD is tough. Undermining the condition just makes it tougher. When a national broadcaster invites millions to file all of this under ‘myth’, people cancel assessments, parents doubt their children, employers doubt their staff, and lives are put at risk.”
He also referenced ADHD UK’s own research following the 2023 BBC Panorama documentary on private ADHD clinics, when a charity survey of 2,200+ people with ADHD found 90% felt stigma had increased and 84% believed it would deter people from seeking assessment, suggesting a similar pattern could repeat here.
Rather than asking Channel 4 to avoid difficult topics, the letter specifically called for a review of the documentary’s title and clearer on-screen distinction between contributors’ views and mainstream clinical consensus. It closed by redirecting where scrutiny should go: “We are not asking Channel 4 to duck hard questions about ADHD. Waiting lists, service failure and the gulf between need and provision deserve every camera you can point at them. We are asking you to aim at the right target.”
You can read the full article here: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/adhd-uk-channel-4-open-letter_uk_6a709d2be4b0346d9be814db?9bj
