From Trend To Truth: What Rising ADHD Diagnoses Really Mean with Dr Antonietta Pirillo

Send us Fan MailThe headlines say ADHD is “everywhere.” We ask why it took so long to see it. Dr Antonietta Pirello, consultant clinical psychologist and founder of the Spectrum Clinic, joins us to map the real forces behind rising diagnoses: updated DSM‑5 criteria, long‑ignored inattentive presentations, and a culture that is only now recognising how masking hides girls and women in plain sight.Across a candid, story‑rich conversation, we contrast media noise with what rigorous assessment looks like. Antonietta describes a neuroaffirming approach that centres lived experience alongside evidence: gathering examples from daily life, triangulating with family or teachers, and weighing function and strengths—not just ticking behaviours in a quiet room. We dig into clinician scepticism, the shift from a purely medical model toward the neurodiversity paradigm, and why subtle signs matter as much as overt hyperactivity. If you’ve ever been told “you don’t look ADHD,” this is the deep dive you’ve been waiting for.Access is where ideals meet reality. We unpack NHS backlogs, the promise and pitfalls of Right to Choose, and the shared‑care prescribing breakdowns that leave people ping‑ponging between providers. Antonietta shares how her multidisciplinary team designs inclusive assessments, from staggered forms to phone‑supported questionnaires, and why personalised recommendations beat copy‑paste reports. We also explore practical reforms: consistent acceptance of independent assessments, clearer GP protocols, and community‑based hubs that offer adjustments and coaching before a formal label—because support shouldn’t start at the end of a queue.If you care about ADHD, women’s health, evidence‑based assessment, or fixing care pathways, this conversation will give you language, data, and hope. Follow the show, share with someone who’s seeking clarity, and leave a review to help more listeners find thoughtful, stigma‑free content on neurodiversity. What myth would you retire today?🎧 Guest BiographyDr Antonietta Pirillo is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and the founder of The Spectrum Clinic, a UK-based private service specialising in adult ADHD and autism assessments. With over a decade of experience across Italy and the UK, she brings a unique perspective to the intersection of neurodevelopment, clinical practice, and system reform. Antonietta is also the creator of ADHD Match, a training platform for clinicians seeking to deliver gold-standard, neuroaffirmative ADHD assessments. Through her work, she’s actively redefining how neurodivergence is understood and supported — in clinics, in education, and in wider society.Contact Details🔗Website: thespectrumclinic.com📸 Instagram: @thespectrumclinic📘 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoniettapirillo/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095242383818About Dr Andrew GreenlandDr Andrew Greenland is a UK-based medical doctor and founder of Greenland Medical, specialising in Integrative and Functional Medicine. With dual training in conventional and root-cause approaches, he helps individuals optimise health, performance, and longevity — with a focus on cognitive resilience and healthy ageing.Voices in Health and Wellness features meaningful conversations at the intersection of medicine, lifestyle, and human potential — with clinicians, scientists, and thinkers shaping the future of care.💌 Join the mailing list for new episodes and exclusive reflections: https://subscribe.voicesinhealthandwellness.com