Dear

I am writing to you, as an engaged constituent, to ask you to request a Parliamentary debate on the way ADHD is described and its impact on public health outcomes for the estimated 2.5 million people with ADHD in England.

I am doing this because the current language used to describe ADHD contributes to stigma, which in turn affects help-seeking, self-esteem, bullying and mental health outcomes.

This is important because, according to the most up to date research, people with unsupported  ADHD tend to live around eight years less than people without ADHD. This is largely because people with ADHD are roughly:

• Six times more likely to die before the age of 30
• Four times more likely to commit suicide
• Three times more likely to have been bullied as children
• Twice as likely to be victims of domestic abuse or sexual assault
• Almost four times more likely to become (NEET) Not in Education, Employment, or Training by the age of 25.
• Twice as likely to be long term unemployed
• Almost four times more likely to experience severe financial problems.
• Over 50% more likely to have a substance misuse disorder
• Five to ten times more likely to end up in prison

The facts are clear. This is not just a gross inequality issue, it is also a major public health failing.

Not only are these statistics devastating for both people with ADHD and their loved ones. They also represent a needless pressure on overstretched public services like the NHS, schools, policing, social services and the prison service during a continuing cost of living crisis.

The recent Independent ADHD Taskforce (commissioned by NHS England in 2024) report estimated that “Economic costs to individuals and the government of at least £17 billion are avoidable as, when appropriately supported, people with ADHD can thrive and fully engage in a working life.”

Solving the deep rooted causes of inequality afflicting people with ADHD will take time. However, one quick, low cost win is to change the language and name of ADHD to something more accurate and empowering. In doing so we can help reduce the stigma and bullying that contributes to the high suicide, self harm, addiction and mental health rates amongst the ADHD community.

Language is important and change is possible. Just as Parliament recently agreed to change the term Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to something more accurate and just like how it stopped describing homosexuality as a disorder several decades ago, I call on you to be an ally to all of your neurodiverse constituents by raising this in Parliament.

People with ADHD don’t have an “attention deficit”. Instead, we experience attention dysregulation. Sometimes we hyperfocus intensely and can work all night. Sometimes we cannot focus at all.

Nor do we want to be called “disordered”. Instead, we want to be recognised for our unique strengths and very real struggles linked to brain differences, social barriers, disability discrimination and unmet support needs.

The aforementioned Independent ADHD Taskforce report echoes this sentiment stating “We noted people with lived experience report challenges and injustice around ADHD because of stigma, misinformation and misunderstanding, including among some professionals. There also are concerns about the accuracy of information on ADHD provided by some sectors of social media and traditional media. Children and adults highlighted the impacts of negative attitudes around ADHD on them.”

So please do the right thing today by requesting a debate on agreeing a less stigmatising name for ADHD in the UK that can help to improve public health outcomes for those negatively affected by the stigma and shame.

Yours sincerely

This letter was sent in support of the campaign currently produced by ADHProud. You can find out more about the campaign at https://www.adhproud.co.uk/campaign

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References available at https://www.adhproud.co.uk/references

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