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ADHD UK Complains to Ofcom Over Channel 4 Documentary 'The Great ADHD Myth?'

other · 2026-08-19

ADHD UK has lodged a complaint with Ofcom regarding Channel 4's documentary 'The Great ADHD Myth?', which aired on Tuesday and was presented by NHS psychiatrist Dr. Max Pemberton, who claimed that ADHD is merely a social construct. Both the charity and the Royal College of Psychiatrists countered this assertion, affirming that ADHD is a legitimate neurodevelopmental disorder. Professor Subodh Dave emphasized the necessity for improved access to assessments. Channel 4 defended the documentary, stating it aims to stimulate public discourse on ADHD and features expert views that challenge its classification. The film included a boy who initially ceased medication but later resumed it, which contradicts its own findings. ADHD Embrace cautioned against misinformation. Both The Guardian and The Times awarded the documentary four stars.

Key facts

  • ADHD UK filed a complaint with Ofcom about Channel 4's documentary 'The Great ADHD Myth?'.
  • The documentary was presented by NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton.
  • Pemberton concluded ADHD is 'a social construct, not a disorder of the brain'.
  • The Royal College of Psychiatrists warned against invalidating the condition.
  • Channel 4 defended the show, citing public debate and the legitimacy of challenging conventional views.
  • The programme followed a 10-year-old boy who stopped medication; a caption said he resumed after two months and his school performance improved.
  • ADHD Embrace raised concerns in advance about misinformation and discrimination.
  • University College London research suggests nearly a 20-fold increase in UK adult ADHD diagnoses between 2000 and 2018.
  • The Lancet Regional Health Europe study suggests ADHD may still be under-diagnosed in England.
  • The Guardian and The Times both gave the documentary four-star reviews.

Entities

Artists

  • Dr Max Pemberton
  • Prof Subodh Dave

Institutions

  • ADHD UK
  • Channel 4
  • Ofcom
  • Royal College of Psychiatrists
  • ADHD Embrace
  • The Guardian
  • The Times
  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
  • NHS
  • University College London
  • Lancet Regional Health Europe

Locations

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Sources