4 h. ago Why are diagnoses of ADHD soaring? There are no easy answers – but empathy is the place to start | Gabor Maté

Some say it’s overdiagnosis, others say it’s greater recognition. But it’s clear we must think about how our society is impacting human developmentGabor Maté is the author of The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic CultureDoes the rise in diagnoses of ADHD mean that normal feelings are being “over-pathologised”? The UK’s health secretary, Wes Streeting, seems to suspect so. He is said to be so concerned about a sharp rise in the number of people claiming sickness benefits that he has ordered a clinical review of the diagnosis of mental health conditions, and autism and ADHD.I was diagnosed with ADHD (ADD, as it was then most often called) decades ago, in my early 50s. As I wrote in my book on the subject, Scattered Minds, it “seemed to explain many of my behaviour patterns, thought processes, childish emotional reactions, my workaholism and other addictive tendencies, the sudden eruptions of bad temper and complete irrationality, the conflicts in my marriage and m...

Politics

45 h. ago Obedient Dogs 2025: Theseare the 10 breeds of adorable dog likely to sit AND stay

As demand for dogs continues to soar, here are the breeds that are pretty easy to train without obedience school.

Events

51 h. ago Ministers order review of ADHD and autism diagnosis amid alarm that MILLIONS of people are on benefits with 'medicalised normal life stresses'

The Health Secretary said the issue needed to be looked at through a 'strictly clinical lens' as he and fellow ministers look to tackle Britain's ballooning welfare bill.

Politics

53 h. ago What symptoms are an adult ADHD diagnosis actually based on?

A key component in ADHD diagnosis is functional impairment

Science

62 h. ago Wes Streeting orders review of mental health diagnoses as benefit claims soar

Health secretary has asked experts to investigate whether normal feelings have become ‘over-pathologised’The health secretary, Wes Streeting, has ordered a clinical review of the diagnosis of mental health conditions, according to reports. Streeting is understood to be concerned about a sharp rise in the number of people making sickness benefits claims because of diagnoses for mental illness, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the Times reported. He has asked leading experts to investigate whether normal feelings have become “over-pathologised”, the newspaper said, as he seeks to grapple with the 4.4 million working-age people now claiming sickness or incapacity benefit. The figure has risen by 1.2 million since 2019, while the number of 16 to 34-year-olds off work with long-term sickness because of a mental health condition is said to have grown rapidly in the same period. Streeting told the Times he knew from “personal experience how devastating it can be ...

Science

8 d. ago ‘My undiagnosed ADHD was biggest catalyst in going missing – why aren’t we talking about it?’

As The Independent launches SafeCall – a new service to help bring missing young people to safety – Tara Cobham speaks to support worker J Grange, who is calling for tailored support for neurodivergent children at risk of disappearing, just as he once was

Events

2 w. ago Hundreds of parents forced to pay for ADHD diagnosis and treatment as NHS won’t fund it

Desperate families are shelling out thousands to go private for neurodiversity assessments and ongoing medication.

Economics

3 w. ago At least 59 councils 'face total collapse' from SEND costs: Town halls staggering under 'unimaginable' £18bn debt after explosion in autism and ADHD diagnosis

At least 59 councils could go bankrupt overnight when deficits of around £18billion are formally added to their books.

Economics

3 w. ago Aimee Lou Wood's lookalike sister Emily reveals the heartbreaking reason why they've parted ways as she admits it's the 'best thing they ever did'

The White Lotus star, 31, has been open about her own battles, including teenage bulimia, body-dysmorphia, social anxiety and a diagnosis of ADHD earlier this year.

Politics

3 w. ago Paracetamol DOESN'T raise autism risk, biggest review to date finds, after Trump's health chiefs link everyday painkiller to surge in cases

There is no convincing link between taking paracetamol in pregnancy and the chances of children being diagnosed with autism and ADHD , an in-depth review has found.

Events

3 w. ago No link between paracetamol in pregnancy and autism or ADHD in children, review finds

Wide-ranging review finds no convincing connection after Trump said women should ‘fight like hell’ to avoid painkillerA wide-ranging review into paracetamol use by pregnant women has found no convincing link between the common painkiller and the chances of children being diagnosed with autism and ADHD.Publication of the work was fast-tracked to provide prospective mothers and their doctors with reliable information after the Trump administration urged pregnant women to avoid paracetamol – also known as acetaminophen or Tylenol – claiming it was contributing to rising rates of autism. Continue reading...

Politics