Angry Channel 4 viewers left fuming as ADHD programme slapped with over 9,000 complaints

Channel 4 has been inundated with almost 10,000 Ofcom complaints following viewer fury over The Great ADHD Myth?. Viewers had called it "disgusting" and "dangerous" when the programme was announced, and amid the backlash, charity ADHD UK also issued a statement and shared an open letter to the broadcaster. As it sought to question whether ADHD could be a social construct rather than a health condition, viewers claimed the show was "demonising neurodiverge" and "irresponsible".

It has now been confirmed that the documentary, which aired on Tuesday, August 18, sparked 9,656 complaints. An Ofcom spokesperson said: "Complaints related to the representation of ADHD in the programme." In a statement released following the documentary's announcement, amidst mounting criticism, a Channel 4 spokesperson had stated: "This documentary does not deny the lived experience of people with ADHD traits, but does hear from a group of senior medical and academic experts - many of whom work or have worked with the NHS or have held presidential roles at professional membership bodies - who seek to question whether ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder. They also ask whether modern living has contributed to a rise in diagnoses, and whether there may be better alternatives for children than medication," reports the Mirror.

The programme, according to the Channel 4 release, sought "to determine whether ADHD is a genuine neurodevelopmental disorder, or a social construct". It wanted to ask the question of "why the traits of ADHD exist", probing: "Is ADHD actually a neurodevelopmental disorder? Do people with ADHD have differently wired brains? Or does our world – with phones, ultra-processed food, and regimented education system – serve as the catalyst for certain responses and patterns of behaviour?"

Despite some viewers calling the documentary “interesting”, it also sparked backlash from charity ADHD UK. The charity said it had complained to Ofcom, saying: "ADHD is not a myth. It is not a social construct." According to the BBC, The Royal College of Psychiatrists also warned against “invalidating the condition”.

In a statement shared post-broadcast, ADHD UK said: “The programme’s own end credits told you what its sixty minutes wouldn’t: the boy at its centre went back on his medication, and his schoolwork improved. Their 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. Fill in the survey. Send the Ofcom complaint. Two things, a few minutes each.”

After watching the programme, one viewer had fumed: “I’ve never seen anything more one-sided before in my life this is barely scientific, incorrect and dangerous rhetoric that is going to do more harm to individuals with ADHD #TheGreatADHDMyth.”

“Erm… excuse me. Did I hear that right? He explicitly said ADHD is a myth. WOW @Channel4 you should be absolutely ashamed for airing this about an already potentially vulnerable group of people. SHAME on you. #TheGreatADHDMyth,” another added, as a third called it "appalling".

Someone else however had earlier said:“The outrage this has caused illustrates why it is needed. No diagnostic neurodevelopmental process has ever been established as constitute of ADHD, despite what is implied and many have been led to believe. The question posed by the doc, then, is entirely legitimate.”

Daily Express has approached Channel 4 for comment.

The Great ADHD Myth? is available to watch on Channel 4.