GPs Raise Alarm Over Over‑Diagnosis of Adult ADHD as Demand Sures Up A Pulse survey finds most UK GPs believe adult ADHD is over‑diagnosed, citing rushed assessments and rising private sector demand. The government's review led by Professor Fonagy will inform a new national approach, addressing soaring costs and the need for holistic care. The growing debate over the diagnosis of adult attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder has taken centre stage after a recent survey conducted by the GP‑led magazine Pulse revealed that more than seventy per cent of family doctors in the United Kingdom believe the condition is heavily over‑diagnosed. The complaint is that patients are moving from the National Health Service (NHS) to the private sector in a restless search for answers, and that the quality and thoroughness of assessments is not keeping pace with the surge in demand. The situation has prompted an urgent review by the government, led by clinical psychologist Professor Peter Fonagy, whose findings are expected to shape a new national strategy for diagnosing and supporting adults with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions.Pulse's survey, which collected responses from 829 GPs, found that 410 doctors described adult ADHD as 'very over‑diagnosed', while a further 173 regarded it as 'slightly over‑diagnosed'. Many doctors explained that the rapid increase in referrals to both NHS and private assessors has outstripped the capacity of frontline services. The long waits for appointments are so severe that patients are increasingly turning to private practitioners, paying upwards of £1,000 for a single consultation.Those who can secure an NHS referral often see a different group of specialists, whereas a private diagnosis almost always turns out positive, according to anecdotal accounts from practitioners in Dorset, Berkshire and Devon. One GP from Berkshire disclosed that of more than 1,000 referrals she has made, just a single patient has been denied a diagnosis of ADHD.Critics argue that the quick‑draw nature of many assessments can ignore important contextual factors such as trauma or early life adversity, which may explain the presenting symptoms. A GP from Devon cautioned that "ADHD seems to be considered a more socially acceptable diagnosis than, for example, PTSD" and highlighted the lack of scrutiny of a patient's significant history.Dr. Liz Clarke of Greater Manchester warned that a siloed system that isolates each neurodevelopmental condition "creates the risk of over‑diagnosis" because clinicians focus on identifying one specific diagnosis rather than conducting a holistic evaluation. The risk is not merely theoretical; patients who are misdiagnosed may receive inappropriate medication or therapy, leading to harm and inefficacy.The NHS has stepped into the fray, with the NHS Alliance reporting that spending on ADHD and autism services has risen by as much as ten‑fold in some regions over a single year. One integrated care board (ICB) said its monthly spend on ADHD services jumped from roughly £146,000 in 2024/25 to over £1.5 million in the current year, while another cited a projected increase from £11 million in 2023/24 to £51 million this financial year.At the same time, the number of providers on an ICB's network has exploded from 12-14 to 48 within two years, according to the Alliance. The surge in providers has raised concerns over quality assurance and regulatory oversight, with representatives describing the situation as "a rock and a hard place" - balancing the urgent need to reduce waiting times against the cost and resource implications of rapid expansion.In response, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman reported that complaints about ADHD and autism services have more than doubled over the past five years, putting further pressure on an already strained system. The government has acknowledged that the rising demand for neurological and mental health services is unsustainable, and is eager to bring clarity to the diagnosis process. Professor Fonagy's forthcoming report is expected to recommend a more needs‑based approach that does not rely exclusively on formal diagnosis.The objective will be to provide appropriate support while preventing the pitfalls of over‑diagnosis and the associated financial and therapeutic costs. The government has promised that the findings will inform a new national model that balances accessibility, quality and fiscal responsibility. The debate is not merely academic: the nutritional and emotional well‑being of thousands of adults hinges on the diagnosis and management of ADHD.Current statistics show that individuals who receive a diagnosis often benefit from access to personal independence payments and other support mechanisms. However, when patients are misdiagnosed, both individuals and the public purse suffer. The forthcoming policy shift aims to streamline pathways, improve the depth of assessment, and extend oversight over the rapidly growing private sector, ensuring that every adult who seeks help receives timely, accurate, and holistic care.