Report by Duncan Williams for Pulman's Weekly News
More people are being diagnosed with ADHD and autism than ever before. Is society finally recognising conditions that went unnoticed for generations, or are modern pressures and changing diagnostic practices contributing to the rise?
The number of people seeking diagnoses of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism has risen dramatically in recent years, leaving NHS services struggling to cope with demand.
The increase has prompted questions about whether more people are genuinely affected, whether previous generations were overlooked, and whether some everyday difficulties are now being interpreted as medical conditions.
There are also questions about the role of social media, the pressures of modern life and the possibility that a diagnosis can help people qualify for financial support.
A major independent review published by the Department of Health and Social Care on 9th October 2026 offers some of the clearest answe…
