'ADHD diagnosis changed my life'

Getting a diagnosis for ADHD enabled a DJ to bring stability and structure to his life.

Rob Griffiths, 26, from south Shropshire, got a private diagnosis in October, after waiting two and-a-half years for one. He had been told it could be a seven year wait on the NHS.

His mum decided to pay for the private assessment as he did not want to wait for so long.

A BBC investigation found many areas of the UK have such long backlogs for adult ADHD assessments that it would take at least eight years to clear them. The Royal College of Psychiatrists said no-one should be made to wait years for life-changing care.

"I was informed by the NHS it would be a two to three-year wait. It crept up to five, and after badgering and badgering, I got told it would be a 7 year wait," said Mr Griffiths.

The 26-year-old said at one point he had 14 jobs in less than 12 months, along with five failed apprenticeships.

"For me to do my normal day to day tasks, like getting out the door, it takes 140% effort and I’m often late, and I often forget things," he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a condition that affects people’s behaviour - making it harder to concentrate and manage time. Acting impulsively and taking risks can also be an issue.

The government said delays to ADHD diagnosis are part of a “broken NHS” - which it was working to fix.

"Getting my diagnosis, it’s changed my life," said Mr Griffiths.

"It’s stopped me from thinking I’m just lazy, to actually I’m not lazy. I’m neurodiverse."

He added that he had become more self-accepting, and it had helped him understand how he can excel.

He credits his work as a DJ to his ADHD, as he uses his hyperfocus.

"Life’s a lot calmer now, a lot more stable," he said.

"I've got a lot more structure. I’ve had a new identity essentially."

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