Health · Mental Health · 7 hrs ago
UK mental health review says overdiagnosis is not proven at scale
A 600-page review of mental health conditions, ADHD and autism has been published in England.
The government commissioned it to examine how common these conditions are and what support people receive.
The review says that if current trends continue, the risk of misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis may grow.
But it says there is not enough data to conclude that overdiagnosis is happening at scale.
It also rejects the idea that young people are simply making false claims of mental illness.
One proposal is to provide support based on a person's needs, even without a formal diagnosis.
The review's critics warn that this could be risky if authorities use it to limit support or spending.
A UK government-commissioned review says current evidence does not show that mental health conditions are being overdiagnosed at scale.
The report says the risk of misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis may be increasing if current trends continue.
Its authors say much of the data needed to settle the debate does not exist.
Lead author Peter Fonagy said Wes Streeting was wrong to agree with suggestions that mental health disorders are commonly overdiagnosed.
The review also recommends that support can sometimes be based on observed need rather than a formal diagnosis.
- Who
- The review was co-authored by Peter Fonagy, Gillian Baird and Simon Wessely. It was commissioned by then health secretary Wes Streeting.
- What
- The review examined the prevalence and support of mental health conditions, ADHD and autism. It said overdiagnosis at scale cannot currently be established.
- When
- The final report was published last Friday, according to the article published on 11 October 2026. The review was commissioned in late 2025.
- Where
- England.
- Why
- The government commissioned the review amid concerns about waiting lists, support for people with mental health conditions, claims of overdiagnosis and welfare reform.
Peter Fonagy and review authors
Wes Streeting
Whether overdiagnosis is common
Peter Fonagy and review authors
The review says it cannot conclude that overdiagnosis is occurring at scale, and Fonagy said Streeting was wrong to agree with suggestions that it is common.
Wes Streeting
Streeting had appeared to partly endorse claims of overdiagnosis, according to the article.
completely wrong
we cannot conclude that overdiagnosis is occurring at scale
Young people today are contending with more powerful forces than I ever faced. They are not fragile. They are outnumbered.
Then health secretary Wes Streeting commissioned the independent review.
The 600-page final report, co-authored by Peter Fonagy, Gillian Baird and Simon Wessely, was published.
Fonagy told Radio 4’s Today programme that Streeting had been completely wrong to agree with suggestions of common overdiagnosis.
- Report length
- 600 pages
- Review co-authors
- Peter Fonagy, Gillian Baird and Simon Wessely
- Commissioned
- Late 2025
- Conditions covered
- Mental health conditions, ADHD and autism
- Evidence gap
- Data that could settle the overdiagnosis debate largely do not exist
Sources
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