What's Behind the Rise in ADHD and Autism? | Perspectives Ep6

Why are more people than ever being diagnosed with ADHD and autism? Is it better awareness, or are we over-pathologising natural differences in how people think and behave?

In this episode of Perspectives, Priory’s expert panel explores ADHD and autism—two conditions that have seen a dramatic rise in diagnoses in recent years, while discussing the evolving understanding of neurodiversity, the role of diagnosis, and the impact on mental health.

On this episode:
🔵 Why women with ADHD are often underdiagnosed – and how it presents differently
🔵 Social media’s role in ADHD and autism awareness (and misinformation risks)
🔵 Should ADHD and autism be considered ‘superpowers’ – or does this minimise real struggles?

On the panel:
▶️ Dr Samir Shah, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Director
▶️ Dr David McLaughlan, Consultant Psychiatrist and Co-Founder of ‪@curbhealth‬
▶️ Debbie Longsdale, Priory's Therapy Director

Jump to 👇
00:00 Intro
01:14 Rise in autism & ADHD diagnosis
03:51 Neurodiversity vs mental health
07:27 Gender differences in ADHD & autism
09:59 The power of diagnosis
13:06 Social media influence & misinformation
14:58 What autism looks like
18:32 What ADHD looks like
22:51 Causes of ADHD & autism
24:55 The role of therapy
28:02 Role of the psychiatrist in autism & ADHD
35:25 Q&A 1: Is it right to call ADHD & autism a disorder?
39:36 Q&A 2: The overlap between ADHD & PTSD
43:28 Q&A 3: Is it helpful to label autism & ADHD as superpowers?
47:50 Outro

LINKS TO SOURCES:
In 2021, a study found a 787% rise in the number of diagnoses between 1998 and 2018 in the UK:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2...
In 2023, ADHD was the second-most viewed condition on the NHS website.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c...
TikTok and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study of Social Media Content Quality
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full...

#adhdawareness #autismawareness #neurodiversitymatters

Sign up to our free wellbeing newsletter, The Reset 👇
https://www.priorygroup.com/newslette...

__

Priory offers fast access to autism assessments. Find out more and book yours here 👇
https://www.priorygroup.com/mental-he...

Find out more about Curb:
https://www.curb.health/

Follow Priory on social media:
Instagram   / priorygroup  
Facebook   / priorygroup  
TikTok   / priorygroup  
LinkedIn   / priory  

Looking after your mental health should be high on everyone's priority list. At Priory, we strive to help everyone take control of their mental health, building a brighter future for themselves and those around them. For more insight, explainers, and advice on managing your mental health, head to the Priory blog: https://www.priorygroup.com/blog

__

This video is designed to be informational, but its content is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or a loved one are experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please contact a medical professional or a licensed mental health provider for tailored advice for you.

If you or a loved one are in crisis and need immediate support, call 999 or attend your nearest A&E department. For information on relevant crisis support lines, visit https://www.priorygroup.com/crisis-su...

__

Priory is the leading independent provider of mental healthcare and adult social care in the UK. We have two divisions, which together support the needs of over 35,000 people every year. We currently treat more than 70 different conditions through a nationwide network of 290 facilities.

Our purpose is to empower each person in our care to take steps towards a healthy future and live their lives as positively and independently as possible.

For more information on how Priory can help you, head to our website or call us:
https://www.priorygroup.com/
0800 840 3219