Health · Mental Health · 2 days ago
Matt Haig calls debate over autism and mental health overdiagnosis misguided
Author Matt Haig spoke about autism and mental health diagnoses at the Henley Literary Festival in Henley-on-Thames.
Haig, who has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD, called the debate about overdiagnosis “misguided and disingenuous”.
He said he believes neurodiversity is more likely to be underdiagnosed.
The debate has included comments by Labour politician Wes Streeting, who has argued that too many people are being written off because of mental health diagnoses.
A government review commissioned by Streeting found an increased risk of overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis, but said it could not conclude that overdiagnosis was happening on a large scale.
The review also said rising mental health problems are real and cannot be explained by greater awareness alone.
The festival runs until 11 October.
Matt Haig called debate over alleged overdiagnosis of autism and mental health conditions “misguided and disingenuous”.
The author, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and autism, spoke at the 2026 Henley Literary Festival.
Haig said neurodiversity was probably underdiagnosed and blamed politicians for adding stigma.
A government review commissioned by Wes Streeting found an increased risk of overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis, but said it could not conclude that overdiagnosis was occurring at scale.
Streeting has previously said mental health conditions are overdiagnosed and defended planned benefit cuts.
- Who
- Author Matt Haig, who has been diagnosed with ADHD and autism.
- What
- He criticised debate over alleged overdiagnosis of autism and mental health conditions as misguided and disingenuous.
- When
- At the 2026 Henley Literary Festival; the article was published on 10 October 2026.
- Where
- Henley-on-Thames, England.
- Why
- Haig said the debate adds stigma and that neurodiversity is probably underdiagnosed.
Matt Haig
Wes Streeting
Overdiagnosis
Matt Haig
Haig called the debate over alleged overdiagnosis misguided and disingenuous, and said neurodiversity was probably underdiagnosed.
Wes Streeting
Streeting has said there is an overdiagnosis of mental health conditions, resulting in too many people being written off.
Benefits
Matt Haig
Haig said politicians add stigma for politically motivated reasons, including reasons to do with not giving benefits to certain groups.
Wes Streeting
Streeting defended planned benefit cuts and said the welfare system had to be sustainable.
Wes Streeting told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that mental health conditions were being overdiagnosed.
The results of a government review commissioned by Streeting were published.
Haig spoke about the overdiagnosis debate at the Henley Literary Festival.
The Henley Literary Festival was due to end.
- Festival
- 2026 Henley Literary Festival
- Location
- Henley-on-Thames
- Haig’s diagnoses
- ADHD and autism
- Review finding
- Increased risk of overdiagnosis and misdiagnosis
- Review conclusion
- It could not conclude that overdiagnosis was occurring at scale.
What people are saying
I think misdiagnosis is a problem across the spectrum of health
And I still think neurodiversity is actually more probably underdiagnosed.
cannot conclude that overdiagnosis is occurring at scale
The rise in mental health problems is real, is affecting everyday functioning, and cannot be explained by greater awareness alone.
Sources
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