Luke MorriganMay 16, 2023

I've not been around much because ✨Life Chaos™️✨, but yesterday the publication of an article and documentary by the BBC about a "journalist" faking ADHD to get a diagnosis has enraged me.

I paid to go through a private diagnosis because my undiagnosed and untreated ADHD was destroying my life. The NHS kept rebuffing me and even if I did get referred, it would have taken years because of the chronic underfunding the NHS has received since 2010.

#ADHD #BBC #Panorama

Show threadLuke Morrigan

A "journalist" faking ADHD to get a diagnosis isn't some slam dunk, it's defrauding a doctor.

There's also the fact that the NHS consultant knew that he was meeting with a "journalist" whereas the private clinics didn't, which could have a huge impact on the diagnostic process.

#ADHD #BBC #Panorama

May 16, 2023 at 11:37amWeb
Show threadLuke MorriganMay 16, 2023

The framing from the BBC makes it look like all private clinics are frauds, and this is already having hugely negative impacts on people.

I've already seen stories of people being refused shared care by their GPs and people
losing support from family members while trying to get a diagnosis.

#ADHD #BBC #Panorama

Show threadLuke MorriganMay 16, 2023

A lot of folks who go private for a diagnosis get diagnosed, but there is selection bias at work here.

If someone is pursuing a private diagnosis, they will generally be pretty confident that they'll have a positive outcome. Nobody is spending £1k on a speculative diagnosis.

#ADHD #BBC #Panorama

Show threadLuke MorriganMay 16, 2023

If you have a private ADHD diagnosis, please listen:

You are valid
Your diagnosis is valid
Your struggles are real
You are not an impostor

#ADHD #BBC #Panorama

Show threadJasonMay 16, 2023
@codefoodpixels please excuse my ignorance here, but what is a private ADHD diagnosis?
Show threadLuke MorriganMay 16, 2023

@Jasonwise It's fine!

By "private diagnosis" I mean a diagnosis through a clinic that isn't the NHS.

Show threadJohn HMay 16, 2023
@codefoodpixels Yes, this has made me so angry. A “methodology” that would get any scientific researcher drummed out of their discipline, used to create a single piece of splashy anecdata that will be used to harm vulnerable people. The fact the NHS assessor knew they were speaking to a journalist while the private ones didn’t, is shocking
Show threadJohn HMay 16, 2023
@codefoodpixels Another way this will harm people is if schools, universities, examination boards etc. stop accepting a private ADHD diagnosis as a basis for accommodations
Show threadJens AytonMay 17, 2023
@codefoodpixels A related question is: how many non-journalists get the 3 hour NHS assessment and _don’t_ have ADHD? I suspect very few