The surge in the number of young children with ADHD is driving waiting lists for the children’s mental health service CAMHS.

That’s according to the Minister for State for Mental Health Mary Butler.

The Minister cited one example where she visited the CAMHS team in Cork and said up to 70% of the referrals to that one team were all due to ADHD.

GP and ADHD Doc Dr Sarah Carty told Lunchtime Live that while it may seem the disorder is being over diagnosed, the opposite is actually true.

“There is a lot of evidence to say that it is under recognised and under diagnosed,” she said.

“Actually, it doesn’t surprise me that there is a growing recognition that ADHD now exists, that it exists in girls and boys – that was something that wasn’t properly understood.

“Now that there is increased recognition that ADHD presents differently in boys and girls – and also presents in adults – there is a surge in people coming forward saying, ‘Is this something that could apply to my child? Is this something that could apply to me?’

“And that’s a very good thing.”

Child surrounded by books and notebooks frustrated. Image: MARIA GARCIA / Alamy. 31 May 2024

Dr Carty said she worked as a GP for over 20-years without really understanding ADHD at all.

“I didn’t realise it could occur in adults, and the fact that ADHD can present as an inattentive subtype,” she said.

“So, often these are not the children that you would classically thing about, who are very hyperactive, restless, disruptive in the class.

“Many females for examples – and males – will present with an inattentive subtype, where they are very much the daydreamer, they’re quiet they’re withdrawn often, they’re not always able to keep up in the classroom, but they’re not disruptive.”

'There's much more to it'

According to Dr Carty, the reason CAMHS is so overrun is because it is the only public route available for a diagnosis.

Cafe owner Paddy Fagan said that his adulthood ADHD diagnosis changed his life.

“It’s not like a light switch like people talk about,” he said.

“The medication, if that’s the route for you, it certainly does help straight away – but there’s much more to it.”

Mr Fagan said it is well known that CAMHS is understaffed, and that Minister Butler should be careful not to blame those seeking a diagnosis for their child for the system's faults.

Main image: Young boy holds ADHD text written on sheet of paper. Image: Oksana Bratanova / Alamy. 31 May 2024