CHANNEL 4 has been hit with over nine THOUSAND Ofcom complaints as fuming viewers slammed their controversial ADHD show.
The Great ADHD Myth aired on August 18 and it questioned whether too many people are now being diagnosed with the condition, and if we should be giving so many kids the commonly prescribed drugs.
NHS doctor Max Pemberton presented Channel 4’s documentary The Great ADHD Myth Credit: Channel 4
The programme, which saw experts question whether so many kids should be prescribed ADHD drugs, has received a slew of backlash Credit: Channel 4
Some 2.6million Britons have the neurodevelopmental disorder that affects concentration, impulse control and activity levels.
For decades it has been treated with stimulants, such as amphetamines, to boost energy and improve concentration.
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The documentary saw experts examine whether it’s right that children are being prescribed mind altering drugs.
But, the show certainly hasn’t had glowing reviews, with furious fans taking to social media and complaining to Ofcom.
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The broadcast regulator received a whopping 9,656 complaints from Tuesday August 18 to Monday August 24, according to their weekly audience report.
Viewers of the Channel 4 show are not the only ones kicking up a fuss as one of the experts who featured in the programme has also decided to speak out.
Katya Rubia, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at King’s College London, claimed the network misrepresented her views.
She confessed: “I agreed to take part in this documentary because I knew it was aiming to show ADHD was a myth and I wanted to provide an alternative view.
“But they cherrypicked, largely misrepresented, truncated and presented my comments out of context to make them fit into their narrative.
“Biased programmes like this one that push their view of ADHD as a mythical entity are irresponsible and will have detrimental effects.”
A contributor to the programme also withdrew their support for the show and claimed it was biased and could lead to an increased suicide risk by encouraging parents to take their children off medication.
The Great ADHD Myth was presented by NHS psychiatrist Dr Max Pemberton, who concluded the disorder was a “social construct” rather than a medical condition.
He said: “It’s shocking that we’re giving children powerful medicines that can fundamentally change their character and personality without a bigger debate.
“I and many colleagues are uneasy about it, but the subject has become so charged that speaking up in public has felt like picking a fight.”
