Why ADHD Direct?
ADHD Direct was developed by myself (Gordon Brown) because for several years I was inundated with requests from across the UK to see people privately. Whilst I was very busy in my NHS practice, it was becoming increasingly obvious that there was and still is very much a postcode lottery system in place when it came to service provision for ADHD.
Having now assessed many people from across the UK and as far afield as France, we are now helping people access local services which for various reason were previously beyond their reach.
One adult we assessed from England said 'Before being assessed by ADHD Direct I had been to my GP on numerous occasions to ask that I be referred for assessment only to be told time and again that ADHD in adults does not exist. When the very same GP received my detailed report from ADHD Direct it was like seeing a light being switched on in his head as he read it. He quickly apologised to me for years of dismissing me and immediately referred me on to adult services. A year and a half later, my ADHD is being effectively treated.'
There is much public debate about health services, for example, infertility treatment, only being available in certain areas of the country. ADHD service provision is in a similar position, affects 4-5% of the population, yet is afforded little recognition. Subsequently, thousands of people suffer in silence and expected to get on with life. If the person with ADHD goes through life without the appropriate support then they at far greater risk of developing other mental health problems, including, anxiety, depressio and addictions.
Our aims at ADHD Direct is to endevour to offer families and other agencies a first class service when they don't have one and to continue to raise the awareness of ADHD so that one day, EVERYONE affected by this disorder can have access to a local service that can meet all their needs.