August 14, 2025
The Australasian ADHD Professionals Association (AADPA) is deeply concerned about recent media coverage of a study examining ADHD symptoms and quality of life.
Headlines suggesting that “ADHD medication may be doing more harm than good” are misleading, sensationalist, and risk causing unnecessary distress to families.
The framing of this research by several media outlets is irresponsible and inaccurate. It ignores the study’s limitations as acknowledged by the authors, contradicts its actual conclusions, and risks deterring families from accessing effective, evidence-based treatment.
These reports fail to present the study in its proper context and, in doing so, misrepresent the findings.
They also overlook the importance of seeking balanced perspectives from experts in the field — particularly when a finding is described by the authors themselves as “a surprise.”
In such circumstances, responsible media reporting demands that other experts be consulted before publishing. Unfortunately, this critical step appears to have been skipped by the Australian media, contributing to public messaging that is both inaccurate and potentially harmful.
What the study examined
The study did not assess whether ADHD medication improves or worsens children’s quality of life. Instead, it looked at associations between ADHD symptoms and quality of life, using a brief symptom screening questionnaire. Correlation does not equal causation.
- The analysis conducted was not experimental or causal.
- Many children identified as having “clinical ADHD symptoms” would not meet full diagnostic criteria
- Those who were prescribed medication had more severe ADHD symptoms and greater functional impairment, reflected in lower QoL ratings, which is exactly what we would expect in real-world clinical practice.
- The number of children receiving medication was very small, especially in the early years of the longitudinal study, limiting any conclusions that could be drawn about treatment effects.
Why the findings are being misunderstood
The suggestion that medication itself causes a lower quality of life is not supported by the data. In reality, the data reflects that children who are identified and prescribed medication are often those facing the greatest challenges.
At the time this data was collected, ADHD was under-recognised and under-treated, meaning that the children who did receive medication were more likely to be those with significant symptoms and impairments.
The broader implications
The study’s results are consistent with what AADPA has long recognised — that medication alone does not address all the challenges faced by children with ADHD. This is why the Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for ADHD recommends multimodal care, which includes:
- ADHD-specific education and support for families and schools;
- Psychological interventions, which are often targeted at the functional challenges that would be captured in a QoL rating;
- Educational accommodations;
- Support for co-occurring conditions.
When interpreted responsibly, the study reinforces — rather than undermines — the need for comprehensive, evidence-based ADHD care.
Health authorities across several states are ushering in long-overdue reforms to improve access to accurate, evidence-based assessment, diagnosis, and support. These changes have the potential to transform lives by reducing waiting times, reaching underserved communities, and ensuring timely, effective care.
Misrepresenting research in ways that stigmatise ADHD treatment pathways risks undermining these advances and perpetuating outdated misconceptions. It could also lead to delays in diagnosis and intervention — with long-term consequences for children’s education, mental health, and wellbeing.
Now more than ever, the public conversation should support efforts to increase access to evidence-based and accurate ADHD care and replace stigma with informed, compassionate, and evidence-based approaches.
AADPA’s Position
ADHD medications are safe and effective when prescribed as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. They are one tool to assist improvements to functioning and quality of life for many people with ADHD. This study does not change that evidence base.
We urge media outlets to exercise care when reporting on research in complex health conditions, and to engage with subject matter experts before publication to avoid misinterpretation.
- Professor David Coghill, AADPA President
- Dr Sarahn Lovett, AADPA Vice-President
- Professor Mark Bellgrove, AADPA Director and Lead of the Australian Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline
