Page 2 | Why are ADHD benefits in the firing line?

FunStork · 2026-07-08T21:36:37+00:00

I've been seeing this a lot recently. Feels like the media is very much against ADHD benefits claims. Why is that the one that seems to be getting all the focus? Another one from BBC Verify tonight: [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c24ym9yd8p6o https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c24ym9yd8p6o]] Is this an orchestrated campaign?

Arran2024 · Yesterday 23:10

You don't get PIP for having any specific condition. You get it for the impact your condition has on your life.

The conditions themselves are really just supporting evidence and used for data analysis.

You can tick lots of boxes re conditions. Someone might have adhd but also epilepsy.

They get PIP for how they describe being able to do certain things eg budget and handle money, prepare a meal.

No one gets PIP just for having adhd.

VodkaAndSoda · Yesterday 23:10

KitTea3 · Yesterday 23:03

I hear this all the time...

...so dodgy that the NHS designated Psychiatry UK (my provider) as the OFFICIAL NHS ADHD service for Kent and Medway? Because they no longer had their own NHS service? 🤔

My assessor is a consultant NHS psychiatrist. Works for the NHS and on the side does assessments for RTC.

So in your opinion. His assessment as an NHS consultant psychiatrist is only valid in a direct NHS setting? And his professional opinion outside of that despite applying the exact same NICE guidance assessment is now invalid due to it being via right to choose? 🤷🏻‍♀️ He's either qualified to assess someone or he isn't?! And if you think he isn't then any direct NHS ADHD assessment he did would also be equally invalid no?

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Look at the Panorama episode from 2023.

I am not saying all private clinics are dodgy. I am saying SOME did not always follow best practice.

Gingerkittykat · Yesterday 23:11

A lot of people see ADHD as kids being naughty, and in adults as being a trendy diagnosis people get after watching too many TikTok videos.

I'm autistic and attend support groups for ND people and presentations vary from people who manage well with some difficulties to some people who are overwhelmed with their ADHD and have major struggles with it.

Octavia64 · Yesterday 23:12

Minasama · Yesterday 22:56

Because they cost too much and the UK has far higher numbers of people claiming for ADHD than other countries and they continue to grow.
Because there is a substantial number of 18 year olds who could work with the right support getting benefits instead and not working is one of the most disastrous things for mental health. Because they are not getting experience and the work habit young there’s a big risk of them becoming long-term benefit recipients and becoming more and more mentally unwell.

Not working is absolutely not one of the worst things for mental health.

there are many experiences that can cause mental health problems. Being assaulted, being raped, being mugged, domestic violence.

not working isn’t even on the list.

CombatBarbie · Yesterday 23:18

XenoBitch · Yesterday 23:03

Um, having to go to a SEN school means he is disabled.

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Yeah but you dont know the full story. He goes to the SEN school because he gets to play football for alot of the time. He was a school refuser because he gamed til 3am.....

starpatch · Yesterday 23:19

Not working is absolutely a factor in poor mental health. Work helps with routines, resilience, socialisation, sense of purpose....

MargotGobby · Yesterday 23:20

There are definitely some dodgy private ADHD clinics. But I guess you would still to prove impact on your lie for PIP

Octavia64 · Yesterday 23:23

starpatch · Yesterday 23:19

Not working is absolutely a factor in poor mental health. Work helps with routines, resilience, socialisation, sense of purpose....

Yes, absolutely.

and someone experiencing (for example) severe psychosis with no link to reality at all is going to work, are they?

I’ve worked with people who have severe MH issues. Anyone in the middle of a psychotic break isn’t going to be welcomed in any workplace.

CombatBarbie · Yesterday 23:26

BoredZelda · Yesterday 23:08

You can just rock up tomorrow and get an ADHD diagnosis. It’s just that easy. Then you apply for DLA, and you don’t need any proof at all, you can just write it on a form. Where do you live? Because I need to move there.

My daughter is Autistic, we know she is, there is very little doubt about it. She was on a two year waiting list for CAMHS for a diagnosis but last year they kicked her off because they now only accept young people who have two MH co-morbidities. She gets DLA for her Cerebral Palsy and last time we submitted a 10 page report from her physio confirming her physical limitations, and we were still asked to get a report from an OT confirm how this affected her ability to carry out personal care. Thing is, we don’t have an OT because our local council only has one in the children’s team and she works 3 days a week and our case has never been handed over to her. Luckily, our physio agreed to step in and write a secondary report which she got signed off by the NHS OT team in her office.

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North East..... I can categorically tell you, the child never answered any of the questions. The parent did and then had the telephone consult. The diagnosis was made after 3yrs of school refusal and his violent behaviour when he was told no. Hes actually a lovely lad, has a girlfriend etc amd has his moments! but mum is actively now trying to have his money still paid to her now hes of age to receive it himself.

User573359 · Yesterday 23:30

I have severe ADHD, 2 children with ADHD and 1 with autism. I don't claim DLA/PIP for any, never have. Not wealthy but working class. It frustrates me that everyone assumes that I do/should. I've always thought it unnecessary to claim for. It's very common, and should not be claimed for on its own. Do people claim for dyslexia? I hope not.

ItsPickleRick · Yesterday 23:30

CombatBarbie · Yesterday 23:18

Yeah but you dont know the full story. He goes to the SEN school because he gets to play football for alot of the time. He was a school refuser because he gamed til 3am.....

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Your posts get more and more ridiculous.

Do you know how difficult it is to get a place at a SEN school?

ThisDandyWriter · Yesterday 23:31

XenoBitch · Yesterday 23:03

Um, having to go to a SEN school means he is disabled.

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It most certainly does not!!

researchers3 · Yesterday 23:33

uptheposh · Yesterday 22:44

My son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. Friend said great now you can apply for DLA.
My reply was that he doesn’t need it and wouldn’t get it. She said just exaggerate as that’s what she did for both her kids.

Thats why.

You can exagerate for most benefits.

I have adhd and it impacts me hugely, at work, in life generally, my mental health, all sorts. Guess what, I haven't tried to claim because (partly) of attitudes like yours.

I also have a physical disability and haven't claimed, or tried to, for that either.

The country is fucked from years of austerity under the tories and them all funding random projects to feather their own caps.

Maybe some disability benefits are exploited but no system is perfect. This is just going to mean that so many people, who genuinely do need help, aren't going to get it.

Piglet89 · Yesterday 23:33

dizzydizzydizzy · Yesterday 23:01

Everyone over tbe age of about 35 or 40 is incredibly dismissive of ADHD.

I constantly see posts on here saying that people should only get a diagnosis if they are struggling. What they don’t realise is that ‘struggling” (written in more formal clinical language of course) is literally part of the diagnostic criteria and you won’t get a diagnosis if you do not have significant struggles.

Intellogent women and girls in particular are amazing at hiding their struggles so colleagues and even family members think they are doing fine but they are not.

@dizzydizzydizzyI think “everyone” is a significant exaggeration. I’m 45, have a kid with ADHD, might have it myself, know several women my vintage who’ve been diagnosed.

I don’t know many of my peers who dismiss it out of hand, at all.

Miniaturemom · Yesterday 23:35

I think people don’t understand how awful it is, or that they are playing catchup diagnosing women and girls. I have adhd and ms and if I could give one back it’s adhd without a second thought (granted both are awful and many have it worse.) it’s completely and utterly wrecked my life. I do sometimes wonder how some people manage normal lives with it. I don’t get benefits.

zigzagzigzagz · Yesterday 23:37

It probably doesn’t help that so many successful and often famous people talk about having ADHD in media interviews. You can understand if you hear that all the time then you would wonder why it’s also a reason not to work. You don’t tend to hear from the people who have it and it’s debilitated their life completely.

Kirbert2 · Yesterday 23:43

CombatBarbie · Yesterday 23:26

North East..... I can categorically tell you, the child never answered any of the questions. The parent did and then had the telephone consult. The diagnosis was made after 3yrs of school refusal and his violent behaviour when he was told no. Hes actually a lovely lad, has a girlfriend etc amd has his moments! but mum is actively now trying to have his money still paid to her now hes of age to receive it himself.

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and you can also just decide to send your child to a SEND school in this area too?

Kirbert2 · Yesterday 23:45

User573359 · Yesterday 23:30

I have severe ADHD, 2 children with ADHD and 1 with autism. I don't claim DLA/PIP for any, never have. Not wealthy but working class. It frustrates me that everyone assumes that I do/should. I've always thought it unnecessary to claim for. It's very common, and should not be claimed for on its own. Do people claim for dyslexia? I hope not.

It's about care needs, nothing to do with diagnosis. A diagnosis isn't even required.

Nsky62 · Yesterday 23:49

lemonVerbenaMintsorbet · Yesterday 22:52

my ds is 26, he was diagnosed with ADHD as a child. He can’t work - well, he tries and 9/10 he doesn’t get an interview and every time he has got a job he gets fired within 2 weeks.
He can’t organise anything and will probably always need care. He is totally debilitated. He doesn’t function and it’s heartbreaking. He has zero danger awareness and will do terribly dangerous and reckless things and has no idea why they are wrong.

My dd (18) also has adhd but she manages a lot better and although has executive functioning problems and a lack of concentration it’s not as severe as ds.

Ds get the highest rate for both components of PIP. We haven’t applied for dd as she seems to be coping. I don’t think people realise unless they see it how wide a range the symptoms of adhd are. Just because one person has it and manages doesn’t mean the next person is the same.

Isn’t there meds that can help

crikeymikey123 · Yesterday 23:51

Diagnosed with ADHD here.
Apparently ADHD makes you around 8 times more likely to die by the age of 48 due to risk-taking behaviour. It also leaves you more susceptible to PTSD and significantly increases your chances of being incarcerated. So it's definitely a disability.

BoredZelda · Today 00:02

CombatBarbie · Yesterday 23:26

North East..... I can categorically tell you, the child never answered any of the questions. The parent did and then had the telephone consult. The diagnosis was made after 3yrs of school refusal and his violent behaviour when he was told no. Hes actually a lovely lad, has a girlfriend etc amd has his moments! but mum is actively now trying to have his money still paid to her now hes of age to receive it himself.

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18 months to 2 years wait list in most areas of the North East. You cannot get a diagnosis over the phone.

I assume you are talking about a sports academy, rather than a SEN school. Appropriate for school refusers, and have really good outcomes.

”Actively trying?” It’s not hard. They send a form, you tick a box, you send it back.

My daughter’s money is paid into my account even though she is 17. I’m using it to pay for her driving lessons.

BoredZelda · Today 00:02

Kirbert2 · Yesterday 23:43

and you can also just decide to send your child to a SEND school in this area too?

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We should all move to this magical utopia!

XenoBitch · Today 00:10

Octavia64 · Yesterday 23:12

Not working is absolutely not one of the worst things for mental health.

there are many experiences that can cause mental health problems. Being assaulted, being raped, being mugged, domestic violence.

not working isn’t even on the list.

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Work can make things worse. It can be an extra demand that someone simply can not deal with. Many people with either/both MH or physical health problems stay stable and well by not not working.
Working be a "cure" is harmful and wrong.

XenoBitch · Today 00:11

starpatch · Yesterday 23:19

Not working is absolutely a factor in poor mental health. Work helps with routines, resilience, socialisation, sense of purpose....

Work can make people unwell too. We all have so many plates we can spin...

XenoBitch · Today 00:13

zigzagzigzagz · Yesterday 23:37

It probably doesn’t help that so many successful and often famous people talk about having ADHD in media interviews. You can understand if you hear that all the time then you would wonder why it’s also a reason not to work. You don’t tend to hear from the people who have it and it’s debilitated their life completely.

Yep, because they are not successful. They are living chaotic lives in the shadows away from everyone else.