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The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Thanks to the Instagram algorithm I'm convinced I have ADHD
An anatomy drawing of a person doing a plank: 'How it feels like for ADHD people to listen to someone finish a sentence they understood within the first few seconds'. 'We all have the same 24 hours.' 'Well I have ADHD so I only have two.' Two Spider-Man figures pointing at each other: 'Not getting anything done because I'm too overwhelmed'. 'Being overwhelmed because I haven't gotten anything done.' Though I have never been diagnosed with ADHD (or autism, another strand of neurodivergent memes beloved by my Explore page), social media has convinced me that I have it. I've always thought of myself as an impulsive, overthinking space cadet who gets easily overwhelmed. I always viewed these as flaws in my personality, something I alone should remedy. But these internet jokes unexpectedly made me feel seen, part of a community of people with a shared experience. Something we could affectionately laugh about and accept. Nearly every peer I speak to is 'convinced' they have adult ADHD. Is it because of the deluge of online content? Or are we just becoming more aware of it? Are all of these #ADHD traits even related to ADHD? Or just part of the human condition? It becomes easy to laugh off the frenetic way I clean my house or how I just can't stop procrastinating when I really need to get something done. There is a chance that we are over-pathologising very normal behaviours. It is incredibly difficult to get diagnosed with ADHD in Scotland unless you have a bulging wallet. To be assessed through the NHS takes years (waiting time data is patchy at best). Waiting lists have become so demanding in some areas that they have ceased assessment services altogether. Earlier this year, Aberdeenshire HSCP and NHS Forth Valley both announced they were closing their Adult Autism Assessment teams (who were also responsible for ADHD Assessments). NHS Tayside stopped taking referrals for children unless they have a pre-existing mental health condition. To be diagnosed privately can cost anywhere from £600 to £1600, depending on the type of assessment and whether it includes follow-up appointments. At ADHD Scotland in Glasgow, a pre-assessment session is £120 and an ADHD assessment is £850. If you are diagnosed privately, you could end up having to foot the bill for your own Ritalin. Now, we must think of the children because they are the ones who are truly getting the short end of the stick here. Children languishing on a waiting list for diagnosis can cause untold distress for families. In childhood, a diagnosis means schools have a better understanding of the child's needs. It is also the first step towards possible medication to help with symptoms (another seemingly endless waiting list), as The Herald reported this week. An ADHD diagnosis can also help parents better understand what their child is experiencing. Failing the mental health of children in this country is awful. This is not to point the finger. Money is tight, resources are few and far between, and demand for mental health treatment is soaring. I draw a line between children and adults when it comes to the conversation about neurodevelopmental disorders. He has claimed that ADHD diagnosis "doesn't mean anything', referring to the circular logic that symptoms (impulsivity, absent-mindedness, hyperactivity) lead to diagnosis and then diagnosis explains the symptoms. 'It's not an explanation, it's a description,' he says. Perhaps you recognise him from diagnosing Prince Harry with ADHD in a 2023 live TV interview. Everyone is different. Me? I'm with Maté on this one. I don't need to be diagnosed with ADHD. I perhaps need to stop trying to do too much, putting so much pressure on myself to be perfect, and stop doomscrolling during every free moment that I have to avoid the terrifying prospect of being alone with my thoughts for five minutes. I would not want to take up a precious diagnosis waiting list spot simply because an algorithm made me laugh with an 'ADHD people doing anything other than they should be doing' meme. I think Maté is right about taking a holistic approach to better mind health: having self-compassion, developing a consistent routine, seeking connection with other people, and avoiding stress and overstimulation from your surroundings. I've noticed one recurring comorbidity with all the ADHD content that I am fed – farm content. As if the antidote to the stresses of city life and always-on culture that plagues us is to leave it all behind and #FarmLife. If so many adults are convinced that they have a neurological disorder these days, that says a lot more about our society than it does the individual. Aldous Huxley put it best when he wrote that the real victims of mental illness are the ones who appear to be normal: 'Their perfect adjustment to that abnormal society is a measure of their mental sickness.' Marissa MacWhirter is a columnist and feature writer at The Herald, and the editor of The Glasgow Wrap. The newsletter is curated between 5-7am each morning, bringing the best of local news to your inbox each morning without ads, clickbait, or hyperbole. Oh, and it's free. She can be found on X @marissaamayy1
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Role in theft of crayfish admitted
A woman who was the pivotal insider in a King Cobras crayfish crime ring worth more than $200,000 has admitted her role in the scheme. Nicola Ann Nevard, 50, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday where she pleaded guilty to more than 30 charges of theft in a special relationship and one each of money laundering and possessing Ritalin. She was employed at the Fiordland Lobster Company's Sawyers Bay depot, which processes live crayfish for export to China, and worked her way up to the position of assistant factory manager, court documents said. But between April and September last year, Nevard used her position of responsibility to skim 1597 crays, worth $212,487. Her contact in the criminal underworld was 36-year-old patched King Cobras member Paul Faavaoga. He would place orders via cellphone message — often for 60-80 at a time — and Nevard would pack the seafood into polystyrene bins using ice gel and woodwool to keep them chilled. According to court documents, at times she would load the produce into her vehicle for delivery and on other occasions she used a local courier. Faavaoga airfreighted the bulk of the crayfish to associates around the country. In August, when the scam was it its peak, he placed one order for 110 crays — such a large amount that Nevard had to arrange a company truck to transport them from the factory. She resigned from her job when she became aware the Ministry for Primary Industries was investigating the rort. Banking records, obtained by the authorities in the course of the probe, revealed Nevard made cash deposits to her account and also had third parties deposit money. "On many occasions the same day she received these funds she transferred almost identical amounts to her stepmother's bank account," a police summary said. The payments were noted as "mortgage". Police discovered Nevard's home was owned by her stepmother and that the defendant received $5570 for the stolen seafood. When a search warrant was executed at her home, officers found 83 Ritalin tablets in a toiletries bag in her bedroom. The class-B controlled drug is used to treat ADHD, but is also used recreationally as a stimulant, known to produce feelings of euphoria and increased focus. While Nevard's home was being raided — during what was dubbed "Operation Larry" — police and Fisheries officers also descended on the King Cobras' Dunedin pad in David St. Faavaoga had been paying the mortgage on that property for a significant period and almost a quarter of the repayments over a three-year span had been funded by crayfish cash. In April, he pleaded guilty to 29 charges of receiving and two of money laundering. The court heard Faavaoga unwittingly left a trail for investigators as he would complete airway cargo declaration paperwork to have the stolen seafood airfreighted to associates around the country. The recipients would usually pay by bank transfer, referenced as "crays". Faavaoga is scheduled to be sentenced in September, while Nevard was remanded on bail until her sentencing in November.
Scottish Sun
05-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
ADHD prescriptions soar to £13m after thousands of Scots diagnosed as experts issue TikTok warning
Experts believe the huge increases may be being driven by awareness of ADHD being raised on social media sites like TikTok MEDS SURGE ADHD prescriptions soar to £13m after thousands of Scots diagnosed as experts issue TikTok warning A SPIKE in the number of Scots with ADHD has seen the annual cost of drugs prescribed for the condition rocket to around £13million. The alarming figures for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were driven by an increase of almost 50 per cent among adults in the last two years — from 14,160 to 21,173. 1 Data on NHS spending revealed the bill for five medicines used for ADHD soared by 40 per cent Credit: Getty Drugs used to treat it, such as Ritalin, were prescribed to 25,904 people in 2022/23. But that jumped by a third to 34,440 in 2024/25. Separate Public Health Scotland data on NHS spending revealed the bill for five medicines used for ADHD soared by 40 per cent from £9.1million in 2021/22, to £12.8million in 2023/24, as dispensed items leapt from 206,548 to 288,143. Experts warn the rise in sufferers and costs is making it harder for our crisis-hit health service to deliver safe care. The stats emerged two weeks after we revealed devolved benefits handouts for Scots with ADHD are set to hit £100million only three years after the payments were introduced. Dr Pavan Srireddy, vice-chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland, said: 'The impact on mental health services has been immense. 'Teams that were already stretched are struggling to meet demand, leading to lengthy waiting lists. 'This growing pressure is compromising the ability of services to deliver safe, timely and effective care.' And Dr Srireddy warned: 'The current situation is neither sustainable nor safe.' But many medics fear the problems will only get worse because they reckon the condition is actually underdiagnosed. Do you or your child have ADHD- Here's the NHS test as Brits waiting two years for diagnosis Symptoms include being easily distracted, forgetful, having difficulty following instructions, losing personal items often, being impulsive, restless and making quick decisions without considering consequences. The Royal College of Psychiatrists in Scotland and other experts believe the huge increases may be being driven, in part, by awareness of ADHD being raised on social media sites such as TikTok. But there are also fears of misinformation being spread online about the condition. One study identified that more than half of the info on TikTok relating to ADHD was inaccurate. Geraldine Mynors, co-founder of the Scottish ADHD Coalition, said: 'A large number of adults have never been diagnosed, or were diagnosed as children but fell out of the system as teenagers. 'Therefore, there has been a big unmet need for help. 'Studies show that perhaps 1.5 per cent to three per cent of the population have it — and we are still very far short of this in terms of adults in treatment.' Concerns have also been raised about shortages of drugs, especially for children with severe cases. We previously told how ADHD benefit claimants on a standard rate for Adult Disability Payment get almost £4,000 a year. They don't need a formal diagnosis of having the condition in order to get approval for payouts. But they must have supporting information from medical specialists. Some legal firms are even offering sufferers 'no win, no fee' services to help them with claims. The Donaldson Trust charity said: 'A national approach to collecting and publishing ADHD assessment data is essential to identify service gaps and improve outcomes.'
ABC News
03-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
ADHD meds are in short supply. Here's why, and what can you do about it
Some of the most common medications for ADHD are set to be in short supply until the end of the year, which means plenty of people across Australia may find their pharmacist can't fill their prescriptions. So, what are your options? We asked the experts why this was happening and what you can do if you're unable to fill out your regular prescription. In short, it's complicated. As Professor Dave Coghill explained, it came down to both a supply issue for the raw ingredient from the United States used in methylphenidate — and found in popular brands such as Ritalin and Concerta — as well as an increase in diagnoses. "It's actually a very complex supply chain problem. There's no malice and I think the companies that make the medication are quite embarrassed that they aren't able to fulfil their demands," he said. "It's a global problem, but not one that it's very easy — even for the companies based in Australia selling the medicines — to do anything about because they're not in control of production." It's difficult to put an exact number on the amount of people affected in Australia, because not everyone with a diagnosis is medicated. But it's estimated more than one million Australians live with ADHD. Professor Coghill, president of the Australasian ADHD Professionals Association, said the impact was significant. "Of the total number [of people medicated], we're talking under 1 per cent, but 1 per cent of all Australians is still a lot of Australians," he said. Firstly, don't panic. Because the issue is specifically about the supply of methylphenidate, there are other medications that should be available. If your regular medication isn't in stock, there are others that are equally as good, Professor Coghill said. He suggested going to your prescriber — such as your psychiatrist or your child's developmental paediatrician — and explaining the issue. They should be able to help. "Talk to your prescriber, talk to them quickly. Don't leave it lingering. People with ADHD are very good at procrastinating," he said. Professor Coghill said "almost always" your prescriber will be able to work out a good solution for you. John Kramer, the chair of the Royal Australian College of GP's ADHD, ASD and neurodiversity specialist group, is a certified prescriber and GP. He agreed. "All prescribers will now be aware of the problem — you'd have to be living under a rock not to know about it," he said. "I think if you've got an existing patient that you're prescribing for, then you've got a professional responsibility to not delay, too long, in them accessing their care. "And that means you have to slow down seeing new patients." Again, don't stress. Dr Kramer said your regular GP can also assist. "GPs who see patients with ADHD, who aren't actually prescribing for them, can still be helpful," he explained. "If a patient or a child is completely out of their medication and can't get seen, they can still approach their GP because advocacy is still one of the most important roles that GPs have." Your GP can also ring the regulatory authority in your jurisdiction and make an individual application for medication. "If you've got a patient that's completely out [of medication] and they can't get seen, they can put the case that this person is completely out of their usual stuff. That they can't be seen for a couple of months," Dr Kramer said. "I think that the regulator would have to show some compassion and flexibility." Generally, this isn't a good idea. While Professor Coghill acknowledged any adult with ADHD was able to make their own decisions, and the medication doesn't come with withdrawal symptoms, it's best to continue being treated during the shortage. "ADHD isn't just a school thing or a work thing. Family tensions can be greater when people aren't treated and less when they are treated," he said.
The Guardian
27-06-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Australians with ADHD could face drug shortages for rest of year, TGA says
People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are being advised to contact their doctor as Australia's drug regulator warned a common medication used to treat the condition may be in short supply for the rest of the year. Methylphenidate – known by its brand names as Ritalin, Ritalin LA and Concerta – is in short supply in Australia due to manufacturing issues, according to a notice from the Therapeutic Goods Administration on Wednesday, which advised people to speak to their pharmacist to help source their prescription. ADHD drug shortages have been an ongoing problem in Australia for a number of months. But Prof Dave Coghill, Chair of Development Mental Health at the University of Melbourne, is warning people who live with ADHD not to panic, saying not all forms of ADHD medication are currently experiencing a shortage. He said methylphenidate is only one of four medications used to treat ADHD, and even within that class of drug, there is not a complete shortage but a shortage of some brands at some doses. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'The problem we have is the ones that are in shortage are changing constantly so it's very difficult to predict from one week to the next which medications are going to be available,' Coghill said, adding people who live with ADHD should speak with their doctor to work out a good alternative medication. ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how the brain develops, processes and handles information. About one in 20 Australians have it. 'People who live with ADHD have problems in three main areas, which is difficulty with attention/concentration, focus and planning,' Coghill said. 'They often have problems with overactivity and restlessness … and they also often have impulsivity or impulsiveness.' Coghill said medication shortages can be challenging. 'We've now got good evidence to show that the ADHD medications not only help you concentrate and focus but help you to stop and think before you act,' Coghill said. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'So they don't just make people feel better, but actually they help people live safer, more productive lives, and ADHD medications are really a key to helping people manage those symptoms.' A massive increase in demand globally for ADHD drugs as well as restrictions placed on the manufacture of one of the core ingredients by the US Drug Enforcement Agency has led to the shortages, Coghill said. The TGA has convened a medicine shortage action group with health professional and peak body groups to help manage the ongoing shortages..
