As someone in my 5th decade, with lifelong ADHD (though given my age it did not exist in my youth, and was only diagnosed relatively recently), I'm wary of backing away from treatments until we actually do have real viable alternatives.

It took far too long to get ADHD widely recognised, and even now it's often more likely to be received with humour than real recognition. Much more research, especially on other possible treatments and therapies, is needed before we turn too zealously against the only treatment actually shown to work. We have a long history of over diagnosing and overdoing pretty much everything.

I've only ever managed it with limited success. There's little doubt that the drugs can work. Despite some evidence of over-diagnosis and over-prescription there are many people who have had their prospects transformed as a result. I suggest the ADHD label is being significantly over applied because real awareness, even in the medical profession, is still abysmal. Doctors don't have time to look at home circumstances, or parents and other factors that might affect behaviour. Awareness coming from some TV comedy skit however is high.

I don't actually care that we don't yet have full understanding of how the drugs work, or that OMG they're amphetamines. I often wonder how things may have turned out differently for me had I encountered more GP awareness and less ridicule, or even earlier self-awareness or teen diagnosis and treatment.

If we are too successful "exposing big pharma" and overdiagnosis in the minds of GPs and the public, lives will be ruined once again. Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater here rather than seek wider understanding.