Channel 4 has commissioned a documentary led by NHS psychiatrist Max Pemberton investigating the prevalence of ADHD diagnoses and the use of psychiatric medication in children. The production is directed by Xavier Alford and executive produced by Liam Humphreys. The film examines the validity of ADHD as a neurodevelopmental disorder and investigates the impact of environmental factors including screen time, ultra processed foods, and the current education system on childhood behaviour.
The documentary features contributions from medical professionals who question the current clinical narrative. Iona Heath, former President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, states that ADHD is not a medical condition. Sami Timimi, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, describes the current trend of prescribing medication as a replacement for corporal punishment. The production focuses on the increase in referrals for ADHD diagnoses, which the film notes has risen by 200 percent between 2020 and 2025 according to NHS data.
A central segment of the film follows a family attempting to remove ADHD medication for a young boy through holistic lifestyle changes. This experiment involves replacing pharmaceutical treatment with outdoor activities, creative pursuits, and a reduction in screen usage and processed foods. Max Pemberton states that the film investigates why ADHD diagnoses are increasingly demanded and dispensed compared to previous clinical practices.
The production focuses on the demographic of boys aged 10 to 14, who represent the largest group of children currently receiving medication for the condition. This data is drawn from medical records concerning the administration of psychiatric drugs to minors in the United Kingdom. NHS data confirms a 200 percent increase in ADHD diagnosis referrals over the five year period ending in 2025.