Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is on the rise - at least that’s what the figures appear to show.

The number of people being treated for the condition has soared by 80 per cent in the last five years.

A whopping 170,000 identified patients were put on at least one ADHD medication by their doctors between July and September 2022 – a 20.4 per cent increase from during the same period the previous year. But do all these new cases truly represent a rising prevalence of the condition?

An undercover BBC investigation revealed this week that some patients are being wrongly diagnosed. Those who have been sent to certain private clinics have experienced rushed health assessments – and ended up on extremely powerful drugs treating them for a condition they may not actually have.

Zoom consultations, online assessments and eye-watering medical fees can leave vulnerable patients looking for answers much worse off than where they began.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose main symptoms include difficulty concentrating, restlessness and impulsiveness.

The descriptions of the symptoms provided by the NHS are broad and while many of these traits can exist within the parameters of ‘normal’ (e.g. it’s not uncommon to become distracted or to be disorganised), it’s important to remember that assessment by health professionals can distinguish between true ADHD and whether your symptoms may be caused by something else.

Awareness for various health conditions has been helped in part by social media campaigns.

But there is a critical line to be drawn between de-stigmatisation and romanticisation.

While hopefully no one is actually diagnosing themselves via TikTok tutorial, there are a number of ‘you have ADHD if you do this…’ videos out there – spread by those without a medical background and which, if taken as truth, would have us all diagnosed with the condition.

Not only does this do a disservice to people with ADHD but paired with those private clinics who fail to hold thorough consultations, there is a real risk of people being mistakenly given strong medications that could do them more harm than good.

You might recognise the brand name ‘Ritalin’; in the UK - it’s a psychostimulant called ‘methylphenidate’. While it can help to quash impulsiveness and improve the poor concentration associated with ADHD, the drug also carries serious side effects, including increased levels of aggression alongside raising your heart rate and blood pressure – and in some cases even causing hair loss, visual disturbances and sexual dysfunction.

A hugely important drug for the treatment of patients whose quality of life is affected by ADHD, it does not come risk-free.

ADHD can be managed well, often using a mix of both medication and therapy. But it is a complex condition that requires an in-depth assessment for diagnosis.

If you have symptoms you are concerned about, get advice from your doctor. Just be wary of private clinics offering ‘quick and easy’ consultations – they may be more interested in making a quick buck than in your long-term health.