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BBC denies ‘stigmatising’ ADHD in Panorama documentary after major backlash-Stella Akinwumi-Entertainment – Metro
The documentary focused on ADHD treatments.
Undercover journalist Rory Carson stated that he was showing signs of ADHD (Picture: BBC)
The BBC has issued a response to the latest Panorama documentary after viewers accused ‘stigmatised’ people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The special – which aired on Monday May 15 – examined three private clinics offering ADHD assessments and prescribing medication.
Although he’s been criticised online for lying about his symptoms, undercover journalist Rory Carson repeatedly states that he was showing some signs of the condition when he decided to be professionally assessed for the disorder.
The private clinics, Harley Psychiatrists, ADHD Direct and ADHD 360, all offered him a prescription for ADHD medication as a result.
But, after a more in-depth assessment with the NHS ,Carson was found not to have ADHD.
People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse.
Carson said he was honest with the private clinics and the NHS when they were assessing him.
Several viewers branded the investigation as ‘annoying’ and suggested that the documentary jumped over the enormous waiting lists that many people face when trying to get a diagnosis.
‘The BBC “investigation” into ADHD is really annoying,’ one person fumed.
‘More people are getting diagnosed with ADHD because there is a growing awareness that adult ADHD exists and its symptoms are different to ADHD in children. Therefore, more people who have it can finally get the right diagnosis.’
Addressing the backlash, the BBC wrote in a statement: ‘The programme explains from the outset that our investigation was prompted by an email from a mother who was worried about the way her daughter had been diagnosed by a private clinic.
‘Panorama then spoke to dozens of patients and members of staff at private ADHD clinics, who confirmed many of the allegations made in the original email. They told the programme that people were being diagnosed following rushed and inadequate assessments, and that almost everyone who paid for an assessment at a private clinic was being diagnosed with ADHD.
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‘There was, therefore, a risk that people were being misdiagnosed and given inappropriate treatment.’
The broadcaster concluded: ‘Panorama’s research uncovered serious failings by some private clinics and we believe there was a clear public interest in broadcasting the findings.’
Panorama: Private ADHD Clinics Exposed is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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