Darrin Bull: ADHD NZ Spokesperson on GPs being able to prescribe medication

News GPs can soon prescribe ADHD medication from the outset is being hailed as a community breakthrough.  

From February, GPs can offer a patient stimulant medications without them needing a specialist recommendation first.  

Specialist wait times vary across the country, but can surpass a year.  

ADHD NZ spokesperson Darrin Bull New Zealand has a major underdiagnosis issue, with only 2.2% of the population diagnosed with ADHD, compared to the 4-5% overseas. 

He says this change will give the community access to the help and support they need, and provide greater access to medication. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Bryan Bridge in February. GPS and nurse practitioners will be
able to diagnose and treat ADHD, so should say people
hundreds of dollars and clear a backlog of waiting to
see a psychiatrist to get that diagnosis. But the question
is do you run the risk of over diagnosing ADHD.
Darren Bill is the ADHD New Zealand spokesperson with us

(00:20):
this morning. Darren, good morning, good morning, how you doing good?
Thank you? So how long is the backlog? How long
does it take to see a psychiatrist to get your
diagnosis At the moment.

Speaker 2 (00:31):
It depends where you live in New Zealand have had
report anywhere for six months in Aukland to eighteen months
in the South Island. But it very much depends where
you live.

Speaker 1 (00:41):
And the people going to a psychiatrist saying I think
I've got ADHD? Can you diagnose me?

Speaker 2 (00:49):
Yeah? Sometimes that is the starting of the conversation. Other
times has broader mental health issues or other issues they
want to seek helpful.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Do you think this will mean more people get ADHD medication?
I suppose that it'd be the logical outcome.

Speaker 2 (01:04):
Yes, it is the logical outcome. Access for our community
to get the help and the support will mean that
some will get more medication and there'll be a greater
access to medication. But putting in context though, the number
of people who have been diagnosed in New Zealand compared
to OEC standards according to Otaga University last year is
at least half. So we have a massive undiagnosis issue here.

Speaker 1 (01:28):
What's what's the percentage of the population overseas that has
ADHD or has been diagnosed with ADHD.

Speaker 2 (01:38):
Statistically and I'm rounding, it's you know, four to five
percent and in New Zealand it's around two to two
point two percent of the population.

Speaker 1 (01:47):
Okay. And the fact that we've had a tenfold increase
in prescriptions over fifteen odd years, is that because people
weren't diagnosed or have we got a whole bunch of
people who are now suddenly the ADHD. I've got ADHD.

Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah, Look, it's a question of masked most often it is.
The tenfold increase is to be celebrated because it means
people who have ADHD are getting their assistance and care
that they need. In addition, the science around ADHD has
improved remarkably. You know, if you go back, you know,
even fifteen years ago, unheard of that females to get ADHD,

(02:27):
for example, and yet they are exactly they are disposed
or predisposed to ADHD like anybody else in terms of
percentage of population.

Speaker 1 (02:36):
What do you say to people who think this is
all a bit of a myth, you know, people who
say I'm a little bit ADHD and then they then
they get it, you know, get it medication, and it's like,
do you do you actually have ADHD? You know, I
don't know.

Speaker 2 (02:49):
Yeah, ADHD is not as easy as that. It is
a complicated diagnosis, which is why trained medical professionals are
required to do it and not tip time or not
a quick online survey. And it has a lot of
comorbidity such as learning disorders, social anxiety and things like that.
So it's not just a simple diagnosis.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
Is it kind of annoying that you have all those
TikTok kids going I've got ADHD and they have no prescription,
no diagnosis, and they're just trying to be true. I
don't know, it's a must trend to be you know,
touch of that.

Speaker 2 (03:26):
Yeah, well, if I find TikTok annoying full stop. But
it is really annoying and it is also dangerous because
it creates a trend and overseas highlights research in the
US highlights how dangerous it can be.

Speaker 1 (03:40):
Darren, appreciate your time this morning Darren ball ADHD New
Zealand spokespersons for more.

Speaker 2 (03:45):
From Early Edition with Ryan Bridge.

Speaker 1 (03:47):
Listen live to news Talks it'd be from five am weekdays,
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