{"id":2102701,"date":"2026-08-20T13:02:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T10:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2102701"},"modified":"2026-08-20T13:02:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T10:02:26","slug":"adhd-charity-criticises-channel-4-doc-for-calling-disorder-a-social-construct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2102701","title":{"rendered":"ADHD charity criticises Channel 4 doc for calling disorder \u201ca social construct\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/channel4-headquarters@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>TV News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">ADHD charity criticises Channel 4 doc for calling disorder \u201ca social construct\u201d<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The charity\u2019s chief executive hit out at the show as being \u201cone-sided\u201d, \u201csensationalist nonsense\u201d, and an attempt to \u201cexacerbate myths\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Liberty Dunworth<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-08-20T14:02:26+01:00\">20th August 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/channel4-headquarters@2000x1270-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"A general view of the Channel 4 headquarters in Westminster\" title=\"channel4-headquarters@2000x1270\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">A general view of the Channel 4 headquarters in Westminster. CREDIT: Dan Kitwood\/Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>An ADHD charity has hit out at a new Channel 4 documentary which called the disorder \u201ca social construct\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Great ADHD Myth?<\/em> aired on Channel 4 on Tuesday (August 18) and followed NHS psychiatrist Max Pemberton as he spoke to medical professions who doubt whether or not ADHD is a legitimate condition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder is recognised by the NHS, and symptoms include an ability to concentrate or sit still, high energy levels, poor time management, and being more likely to get distracted, lose things or be forgetful.<\/p>\n<p>In the recent documentary, Pemberton explores how the last few years have seen a sharp rise in diagnoses \u2013 particularly among young children \u2013 and also conducts an experiment with a 10-year-old child with an ADHD diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>With the experiment, the child is taken off his ADHD medication and goes six weeks with less sugar, reduced screen time, and yoga classes \u2013 testing whether or not symptoms of Attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder are actually caused by social factors. After the trial period, the parents decided to keep the child off medication, before reversing the move and reintroducing the tablets after seeing his performance in school negatively affected.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcMbEFPGnMu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Since the show was aired, ADHD UK has hit out at the documentary and its claims that the disorder is merely \u201ca social construct\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a statement, the charity encouraged people to complain to Ofcom about the show and shared: \u201cADHD is not a myth. It is not a social construct. And the programme\u2019s own end credits told you what its 60 minutes wouldn\u2019t: the boy at its centre went back on his medication, and his schoolwork improved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The statement continued: \u201cTheir experiment disproved their conclusion. They aired their version anyway. We have already complained to Ofcom. A fuller submission follows, built on the impact data you give us below. We deserve better than this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The charity\u2019s chief executive, Henry Shelford also hit out at the show as being \u201cone-sided\u201d, \u201csensationalist nonsense\u201d, and an attempt to \u201cexacerbate myths\u201d. He outlined that he had written to Channel 4 and asked them to make corrections to both the documentary\u2019s title and content, and also criticised the decision to focus the show on the experience of just one child.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A unique and thought-provoking documentary that challenges conventional thinking about ADHD  #TheGreatADHDMyth? Comes to @Channel4 tonight at 8pm pic.twitter.com\/MuhBXSTz8b<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 4Viewers (@4Viewers) August 18, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In response to the backlash, Channel 4 shared a statement with <em>The Independent<\/em>, acknowledging that the angle of the show was always going to be divisive, but reflected an ongoing debate happening across the UK.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChannel 4 has a remit to stimulate public debate and challenge the status quo, which includes offering a platform to a range of different views across the broadness of our slate,\u201d a spokesperson told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot everyone will agree with everything included in the programme and we acknowledge the strength of feeling that this subject evokes, however there is considerable public debate in this area and testing conventional thinking and exploring different ideas, as is the case with <em>The ADHD Myth?<\/em>, is a legitimate part of Channel 4\u2019s remit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChannel 4 has also aired a number of other programmes on the topic of ADHD, which cover a variety of other viewpoints including: <em>Do You Have ADHD?<\/em>, <em>Johnny Vegas: Art, ADHD &amp; Me <\/em>and<em> Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div 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class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/jimi-hendrix@2000x1270-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/jimi-hendrix@2000x1270-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Footage unearthed from drama student who filmed Jimi Hendrix\u2019s Woodstock performance from the stage<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td_module_flex td_module_flex_1 td_module_wrap td-animation-stack\">\n<div class=\"td-module-container td-category-pos-above\">\n<div class=\"td-image-container\">\n<div class=\"td-module-thumb\"><span class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Neagley-Reacher-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Neagley-Reacher-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Here\u2019s every song on the \u2018Reacher\u2019 season four soundtrack<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>An ADHD charity has hit out at a new Channel 4 documentary which called the disorder \u201ca social construct\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><em>The Great ADHD Myth?<\/em> aired on Channel 4 on Tuesday (August 18) and followed NHS psychiatrist Max Pemberton as he spoke to medical professions who doubt whether or not ADHD is a legitimate condition.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder is recognised by the NHS, and symptoms include an ability to concentrate or sit still, high energy levels, poor time management, and being more likely to get distracted, lose things or be forgetful.<\/p>\n<p>In the recent documentary, Pemberton explores how the last few years have seen a sharp rise in diagnoses \u2013 particularly among young children \u2013 and also conducts an experiment with a 10-year-old child with an ADHD diagnosis.<\/p>\n<p>With the experiment, the child is taken off his ADHD medication and goes six weeks with less sugar, reduced screen time, and yoga classes \u2013 testing whether or not symptoms of Attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder are actually caused by social factors. After the trial period, the parents decided to keep the child off medication, before reversing the move and reintroducing the tablets after seeing his performance in school negatively affected.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DcMbEFPGnMu\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Since the show was aired, ADHD UK has hit out at the documentary and its claims that the disorder is merely \u201ca social construct\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In a statement, the charity encouraged people to complain to Ofcom about the show and shared: \u201cADHD is not a myth. It is not a social construct. And the programme\u2019s own end credits told you what its 60 minutes wouldn\u2019t: the boy at its centre went back on his medication, and his schoolwork improved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The statement continued: \u201cTheir experiment disproved their conclusion. They aired their version anyway. We have already complained to Ofcom. A fuller submission follows, built on the impact data you give us below. We deserve better than this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The charity\u2019s chief executive, Henry Shelford also hit out at the show as being \u201cone-sided\u201d, \u201csensationalist nonsense\u201d, and an attempt to \u201cexacerbate myths\u201d. He outlined that he had written to Channel 4 and asked them to make corrections to both the documentary\u2019s title and content, and also criticised the decision to focus the show on the experience of just one child.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">A unique and thought-provoking documentary that challenges conventional thinking about ADHD  #TheGreatADHDMyth? Comes to @Channel4 tonight at 8pm pic.twitter.com\/MuhBXSTz8b<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 4Viewers (@4Viewers) August 18, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>In response to the backlash, Channel 4 shared a statement with <em>The Independent<\/em>, acknowledging that the angle of the show was always going to be divisive, but reflected an ongoing debate happening across the UK.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChannel 4 has a remit to stimulate public debate and challenge the status quo, which includes offering a platform to a range of different views across the broadness of our slate,\u201d a spokesperson told the outlet.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNot everyone will agree with everything included in the programme and we acknowledge the strength of feeling that this subject evokes, however there is considerable public debate in this area and testing conventional thinking and exploring different ideas, as is the case with <em>The ADHD Myth?<\/em>, is a legitimate part of Channel 4\u2019s remit.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChannel 4 has also aired a number of other programmes on the topic of ADHD, which cover a variety of other viewpoints including: <em>Do You Have ADHD?<\/em>, <em>Johnny Vegas: Art, ADHD &amp; Me <\/em>and<em> Sam Thompson: Is This ADHD?<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/tv\/adhd-charity-criticises-channel-4-doc-for-calling-disorder-a-social-construct-3963834&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/channel4-headquarters@2000&#215;1270.jpg&#8221;] NewsTV News ADHD charity criticises Channel 4 doc for calling disorder \u201ca social construct\u201d The charity\u2019s chief executive hit out at the show as being \u201cone-sided\u201d, \u201csensationalist nonsense\u201d, and an attempt to \u201cexacerbate myths\u201d By Liberty Dunworth 20th August 2026 A general view of the Channel 4 headquarters in Westminster. CREDIT: Dan [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2102701","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102701","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2102701"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2102701\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2102701"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2102701"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2102701"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}