Attention Seekers: ADHD

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BBC Radio Wales Extra

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Attention Seekers. ADHD: what it is and what to do if you've got it.

Factual: Health & Wellbeing

BBC Radio Wales - Attention Seekers. ADHD: what it is and what to do if you've got it.

Documentary exploring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Documentary in which presenter Francis Jones meets people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and those working to support people with the condition.

In this documentary the programme’s presenter, Francis Jones, meets people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and those working to support people with the condition to find out more, and to seek answers as to how it can be managed more effectively. 

A controversial subject, with some politicians and commentators openly disputing the fact that the condition even exists, this programme seeks to establish some clinical facts: speaking to people across the spheres of science, psychology, education and the charitable support sector, the programme gauges what impact the condition has on those who have it, and on those who support them. It also looks at how those without a diagnosis can work to understand the condition more fully and access the support they might need. 

Many people still think ADHD is a syndrome that only affects disruptive boys who can’t sit still in the classroom. However, the condition affects people of all ages which can lead to them being easily distracted, impatient, fidgety, talkative, impulsive, forgetful, overly energetic, extremely disorganised and financially reckless. They can be risk-takers, or highly anxious: they can feel supremely confident one day and can suffer a crushing lack of self-esteem the next. They can do a great impersonation of someone taking in all the details, whilst panicking inside knowing that the exact opposite is happening. 

Conversely, people with ADHD also have an aptitude for hyper-focus, creativity, enthusiasm, quick thinking, empathy, sensitivity, curiosity and resourcefulness. 

With such a range of often contradictory factors involved, it’s no surprise that there are some misconceptions about the condition. However, research into ADHD, plus knowledge of some alarming statistics might make people think before making a judgement. 
For example, while between 3% and 5% of adults are believed to have the condition, it is believed that up to 25% of the prison population is made up of people with ADHD. 

Adding to this, school dropout rates are also alarmingly high: ADHD children are at 100 times greater risk of being permanently excluded from school, with 39% of children with ADHD having had fixed-term exclusions, and 11% of excluded children with ADHD having been excluded permanently.

More alarmingly, recent research shows adult males with ADHD are five times more likely to have attempted suicide. That rises to one in four for women with the condition.

However, despite the estimates that around 2.6 million people in the UK have ADHD, only 0.5% have an official diagnosis. And with NHS waiting lists varying wildly throughout the length and breadth of Wales and the UK, the need for effective, speedy diagnosis, plus increased provision for support could hardly be greater.  

Adopting a light tone to cover some often-serious issues, this programme looks to dispel some of the many myths surrounding ADHD, to bring clearer understanding for those looking to gain more knowledge about this much-discussed and misunderstood condition.

Presenter: Francis Jones
Programme contributors: 
Caroline Williams: Science journalist and author
Henry Shelford: CEO of the charity ADHDuk 
Sian Lloyd White: Educational psychologist
Hayley Morris: Facilitator at ADHD Carmarthenshire
Alex Connor: ADHD consultant and specialist in medical sciences.

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